Mark 3:2
What does Mark 3:2 mean?
A plain-English look at Mark 3:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Mark 3:2 means
The religious leaders are not present to worship or learn, but to scrutinize Jesus' actions. Their primary concern is not the suffering man, but finding a basis for prosecuting Jesus. This highlights their deep-seated animosity and their focus on legalistic adherence to the Sabbath laws rather than the spirit of compassion and healing. They are watching for a perceived transgression, illustrating their hardening hearts.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And they were watching him to see if he would make him well on the Sabbath day, so that they might have something against him.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and they were watching him, whether on the sabbaths he will heal him, that they might accuse him.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And they watched him whether he would heal on the sabbath days, that they might accuse him.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And they watched him if he would heal him on the sabbath, that they might accuse him.
Context
Immediately after Jesus' arrival, Mark reveals the hidden agenda of the scribes and Pharisees. This verse directly sets up the impending conflict, demonstrating their intent to entrap Jesus. This surveillance establishes the high stakes of the encounter and foreshadows the intense opposition that will escalate throughout the chapter and the rest of Jesus' ministry.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 6:7
And the scribes and the Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath; that they might find how to accuse him.
- Psalms 37:32
The wicked watcheth the righteous, And seeketh to slay him.
- Matthew 12:10
and behold, a man having a withered hand. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day? that they might accuse him.
- Luke 14:1
And it came to pass, when he went into the house of one of the rulers of the Pharisees on a sabbath to eat bread, that they were watching him.
- Isaiah 29:20
For the terrible one is brought to nought, and the scoffer ceaseth, and all they that watch for iniquity are cut off;
- John 9:16
Some therefore of the Pharisees said, This man is not from God, because he keepeth not the sabbath. But others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such signs? And there was a division among them.
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