Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Mark 3:4

"And he saith unto them, Is it lawful on the sabbath day to do good, or to do harm? to save a life, or to kill? But they held their peace." — Mark 3:4 (ASV)

Jesus was fully aware of the designs of the opposition. Instead of acting carefully, he commanded the man to stand up and come to “center stage” so that all in the synagogue could see what he was going to do to him.

Jesus knew what was racing through the religious leaders’ minds. So he asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” Perhaps Jesus meant that there is little difference between manslaughter and refusing to be concerned about relieving a distressed person. Or perhaps Jesus was indicting the Pharisees who were already plotting to kill him (v.6). The Pharisees were silent, refusing to debate the issue with Jesus.