Matthew Henry Commentary Mark 3:1-5

"And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there who had his hand withered. And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him. And he saith unto the man that had his hand withered, Stand forth. 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. And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved at the hardening of their heart, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he stretched it forth; and his hand was restored." — Mark 3:1-5 (ASV)

This man's situation was pitiful; he had a withered hand, which prevented him from working for his living, and those who are in such a condition are the most suitable recipients of charity. Let those be helped who cannot help themselves. But stubborn unbelievers, when they can say nothing against the truth, still will not yield.

We hear what is said wrongly and see what is done wrongly; but Christ looks at the root of bitterness in the heart—its blindness and hardness—and is grieved. Let hard-hearted sinners tremble to think of the anger with which He will look upon them soon, when the day of His wrath comes.

The great healing day is now the Sabbath, and the healing place is the house of prayer; but the healing power belongs to Christ. The gospel command is like the one recorded here: though our hands are withered, if we will not stretch them out, it is our own fault that we are not healed.

But if we are healed, Christ—His power and grace—must have all the glory.