Devine Scripture

Mark 3:4

What does Mark 3:4 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 3:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 3:4 means

Jesus confronts his accusers with a piercing question that exposes their hypocrisy and misunderstanding of the Sabbath. He forces them to consider whether the law is meant to preserve life and do good, or to permit harm and even death through inaction. Their silence reveals their inability to answer honestly without incriminating themselves, demonstrating their spiritual blindness to God's true intentions for the Sabbath.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he said to them, Is it right to do good on the Sabbath or to do evil? to give life or to put to death? But they said nothing.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And he saith to them, `Is it lawful on the sabbaths to do good, or to do evil? life to save, or to kill?' but they were silent.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he saith to them: Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? To save life, or to destroy? But they held their peace.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he says to them, Is it lawful on the sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill? But they were silent.

Context

This verse is the crux of the Sabbath confrontation. Jesus' question directly challenges the legalistic interpretations of the Pharisees, pitting their rigid rules against the very purpose of the Sabbath. Their silence underscores their guilt and lays the groundwork for Jesus' subsequent expression of anger and sorrow, leading directly to the miraculous healing.

v.3And he saith unto the man that had his hand withered, Stand forth.

v.4This passage

v.5And 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.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 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.

  • Hosea 6:6

    For I desire goodness, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt-offerings.

  • Luke 13:13

    And he laid his hands upon her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.

  • Mark 2:27

    And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:

  • Luke 6:9

    And Jesus said unto them, I ask you, Is it lawful on the sabbath to do good, or to do harm? to save a life, or to destroy it?

  • 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.

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