Jesus Heals on the Sabbath
Jesus heals a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath, showing that doing good is always right.
Mark 3:1-6, Matthew 12:9-14, Luke 6:6-11
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The Story
Another time Jesus went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath.
Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, 'Stand up in front of everyone.'
Then Jesus asked them, 'Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?' But they remained silent.
He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, 'Stretch out your hand.' He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored.
Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.
The religious leaders had added so many rules to the Sabbath that they missed its purpose. God gave the Sabbath as a gift of rest and restoration—but they made it a burden.
Jesus' question silenced them: Is it lawful to do good or evil? To save life or destroy it? They wouldn't answer because any answer condemned them. They were so concerned with their rules that they would rather see a man suffer than see Jesus show compassion.
Jesus was angry at their hard hearts, yet still grieved for them. He healed the man anyway. And the religious leaders went out to plot His death—on the Sabbath. The irony is tragic.
Jesus Heals on the Special Day
Kids Version
It was the Sabbath—the special day of rest. Jesus went to the synagogue, like a church.
A man was there with a hand that didn't work. It was all shriveled up and useless.
Some grumpy religious leaders were watching Jesus closely. They had a rule: no working on the Sabbath! They thought healing counted as 'work.' Would Jesus break their rule?
Jesus knew what they were thinking. He called the man to come stand in front of everyone.
Then Jesus asked the leaders a question: 'Which is the right thing to do on the Sabbath—to do GOOD or to do EVIL? To help someone or to hurt them?'
They wouldn't answer. They just sat there with their arms crossed.
Jesus looked around at them. He was angry AND sad. Their hearts were so hard!
Then Jesus turned to the man. 'Stretch out your hand.'
The man stretched it out... and it was COMPLETELY HEALED! Just like his other hand!
You'd think everyone would cheer! But no. The religious leaders stomped out of the synagogue. They were so mad that they started making plans to KILL Jesus.
Can you believe it? They cared more about their rules than about a man getting healed!
Jesus taught us something important: doing good and helping people is ALWAYS right—even on the Sabbath, even if some grumpy people don't like it. Love for people matters more than following rules perfectly.
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Characters in This Story
Settings & Locations
Scripture — Mark 3:1-6 (KJV)
1And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand.
2And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him.
3And he saith unto the man which had the withered hand, Stand forth . Stand forth: Gr. Arise, stand forth in the midst
4And 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.
5And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other. hardness: or, blindness
6And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him.
Memory Verse
“And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand.”
— Mark 3:1 (KJV)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the story of “Jesus Heals on the Sabbath” in the Bible?
Jesus heals a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath, showing that doing good is always right. This story is found in Mark 3:1-6, Matthew 12:9-14, Luke 6:6-11.
Where is “Jesus Heals on the Sabbath” found in the Bible?
“Jesus Heals on the Sabbath” is found in Mark 3:1-6, Matthew 12:9-14, Luke 6:6-11, in the book of Mark.
What can children learn from “Jesus Heals on the Sabbath”?
This story teaches children about Compassion over rules, Jesus' authority, Hypocrisy. A man had a hand that didn't work. The religious leaders said Jesus couldn't heal on the Sabbath. But Jesus showed that helping people is ALWAYS right!