Mark 3:4

Mark 3:4 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

And He asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?” But they were silent.

King James Version KJV

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.

American Standard Version ASV

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.

Bible in Basic English BBE

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.

Free Bible Version FBV

“Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath, or to do evil? Should you save life, or should you kill?” he asked them. But they didn't say a word.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

And he saide to them, Is it lawfull to doe a good deede on the Sabbath day, or to doe euil? to saue the life, or to kill? But they held their peace.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

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.

World English Bible WEB

He said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath day to do good or to do harm? To save a life or to kill?” But they were silent.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

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

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

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.

Translation for Translators T4T

Then Jesus said to the Pharisees, “Do the laws that God gave Moses permit people to do good ◄on the Sabbath/on the Jewish rest day►, or do they permit people to do evil? Specifically, do his laws permit us to save a person’s life ◄on the Sabbath/on the Jewish rest day►, or do they permit us to let him die by refusing to help him?” But they did not reply.

Plain English Version PEV

Then Jesus said to the Pharisee mob, “What does our law say about our rest day? Is it right to do good things on our rest day, or is it right to do bad things? Can I make this man better? Or can I hurt him?” The Pharisee mob said nothing.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Mark 3:4

BAB

Word Study

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Mark 3:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

GRK και λεγει αυτοις εξεστιν τοις σαββασιν αγαθοποιησαι η κακοποιησαι ψυχην σωσαι η αποκτειναι οι δε εσιωπων

και kai G2532 and Conj

λεγει legō G3004 to say Verb-PAI-3S

αυτοις autos G846 it/s/he Pron-DPM

εξεστιν exesti, exon G1832 be permitted Verb-PAI-3S

τοις ho G3588 the/this/who Art-DPN

σαββασιν sabbaton G4521 Sabbath Noun-DPN

αγαθοποιησαι agathopoieō G15 to do good Verb-AAN

η ē G2228 or Particle

κακοποιησαι kakopoieō G2554 to do evil/harm Verb-AAN

ψυχην psuchē G5590 soul Noun-ASF

σωσαι sōzō G4982 to save Verb-AAN

η ē G2228 or Particle

αποκτειναι apokteinō G615 to kill Verb-AAN

οι ho G3588 the/this/who Art-NPM

δε de G1161 then Conj

εσιωπων siōpaō G4623 be quiet Verb-IAI-3P

Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — Mark 3:4

και kai G2532 "and" Conj

And or also, a connecting word used to join ideas or words, like in Matthew 2:18 and Hebrews 1:1.

Definition: καί, conj., and __I. Copulative. __1. Connecting single words; __(a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. __(b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; __(with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. __2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. __(a) where, after the simplicity of the popular language, sentences are paratactically joined (WM, §60, 3; M, Pr., 12; Deiss., LAE, 128ff.): Mat.1:21, 7:25, Mrk.9:5, Jhn.10:3, al.; __(b) joining affirmative to negative sentences: Luk.3:14, Jhn.4:11, IIIJhn.10; __(with) consecutive, and so: Mat.5:1, 23:32, Heb.3:19, al.; after imperatives, Mat.4:19, Luk.7:7, al.; __(d) = καίτοι, and yet: Mat.3:14, 6:26, Mrk.12:12, Luk.18:7 (Field, Notes, 72), 1Co.5:2, al.; __(e) beginning an apodosis (= Heb. וְ; so sometimes δέ in cl.), then: Luk.2:21, 7:12, Act.1:10; beginning a question (WM, §53, 3a): Mrk.10:26, Luk.10:29, Jhn.9:36. __3. Epexegetic, and, and indeed, namely (WM, §53, 3c): Luk.3:18, Jhn.1:16, Act.23:6, Rom.1:5, 1Co.3:5, al. __4. In transition: Mat.4:23, Mrk.5:1, 21, Jhn.1:19, al.; so, Hebraistically, καὶ ἐγένετο (וַי:הִי; also ἐγένετο δέ), Mrk.1:9 (cf. Luk.5:1; V. Burton, §§357-60; M, Pr., 14, 16). __5. καὶ . . . καί, both . . . and (for τε . . . καί, see: τε); __(a) connecting single words: Mat.10:28, Mrk.4:41, Rom.11:33, al.; __(b) clauses and sentences: Mrk.9:13, Jhn.7:28, 1Co.1:22, al. __II. Adjunctive, also, even, still: Mat.5:39, 40; Mrk.2:28, al. mult.; esp. with pron., adv., etc., Mat.20:4, Jhn.7:47, al; ὡς κ., Act.11:17; καθὼς κ., Rom.15:7; οὑτω κ., Rom.6:11; διὸ κ., Luk.1:35; ὁ κ. (Deiss., BS, 313ff.), Act.13:9; pleonastically, μετὰ κ.. (Bl., §77, 7; Deiss., BS, 265f,), Php.4:3; τί κ., 1 Co 15:29; ἀλλὰ κ., Luk.14:22, Jhn.5:18, al.; καίγε (M, Pr., 230; Burton, §437), Act.17:27; καίπερ, Heb.5:8; κ. ἐάν, see: ἐάν. ἐάν, contr. fr. εἰ ἄν, conditional particle, representing something as "under certain circumstances actual or liable to happen," but not so definitely expected as in the case of εἰ with ind. (Bl., §65, 4; cf. Jhn.13:17, 1Co.7:36), if haply, if; __1. with subjc. (cl.); __(a) pres.: Mat.6:22, Luk.10:6, Jhn.7:17, Rom.2:25, 26 al.; { __(b) aor. (= Lat. fut. pf.): Mat.4:9 16:26 (cf. ptcp. in Luk.9:25; M, Pr., 230), Mrk.3:24, Luk.14:34, Jhn.5:43, Rom.7:2, al.; = cl. εἰ, with opt., Jhn.9:22 11:57, Act.9:2; as Heb. אִם = ὅταν, Jhn.12:32 14:3, I Jhn.2:28 3:2, Heb.3:7" (LXX) . __2. C. indic, (as in late writers, fr. Arist. on; see WH, App., 171; VD, MGr. 2, App., §77; Deiss., BS, 201f., LAE, 155, 254; M, Pr., 168, 187; Bl., §65, 4); __(a) fut.: Mat.18:19 T, Luk.19:40, Act.7:7; __(b) pres.: 1Th.3:8 (see Milligan, in l.). __3. With other particles: ἐ. καί (Bl., §65, 6), Gal.6:1; ἐ. μή (M, Pr., 185, 187; Bl., l.with), with subjc. pres., Mat.10:13, 1Co.8:8, Jas.2:17, 1Jn.3:21; aor., Mat.6:15, Mrk.3:27, Jhn.3:3, Rom.10:15, Gal.1:8 2:16 (see Lft., Ellic., in ll.); ἐ. τε . . . ἐ. τε, [in LXX for אִם . . . אִם, Est.19:13, al.,] Rom.14:8. __4. = cl. ἄν (which see) after relat. pronouns and adverbs (Tdf., Pr., 96; WH, App., 173; M, Pr., 42f.; Bl., §26, 4; Mayser, 152f.; Deiss., BS, 202ff.): ὃς ἐ., Mat.5:19, Mrk.6:22, 23 Luk.17:32, 1Co.6:18, al.; ὅπου ἐ., Mat.8:19; ὁσάκις ἐ., Rev.11:6; οὗ ἐ., 1Co.16:6; καθὸ ἐ., 2Co.8:12; ὅστις ἐ., Gal.5:10. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 5212 NT verses. KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 16:1.

λεγει legō G3004 "to say" Verb-PAI-3S

This word means to say or speak, and it is used by Jesus and others in the New Testament to share teachings and tell stories. It appears in Matthew 9:34 and John 1:29.

Definition: λέγω, [in LXX very freq., chiefly for אמר; λέγει for נְאֻם, Gen.22:16, al. ;] __1. in Hom., to pick out, gather, reckon, recount. __2. In Hdt. and Att., to say, speak, affirm, declare: absol., Act.13:15, 24:10; before orat. dir., Mat.9:34, Mrk.3:11, Jhn.1:29, al.; before ὅτι recit., Mrk.3:21, Luk.1:24, Jhn.6:14, al.; accusative and inf., Luk.11:18, Jhn.12:29, al.; after another verb of speaking, προσφωνεῖν κ. λέγειν, Mat.11:17, al.; ἀπεκρίθη (ἐλάλησεν) λέγων (καὶ λέγει; Dalman, Words, 24 ff.), Mat.25:9, Mrk.3:33, 7:28, Luk.24:6, 7, al.; of unspoken thought, λ. ἐν ἑαυτῷ, Mat.3:9, Luk.3:8, al.; of writing, 2Co.8:8, Php.4:11, al.; λέγει ἡ γραφή, Rom.4:3, Jas.2:23, al.; with accusative of thing(s), Luk.8:8, 9:33, Jhn.5:34, al.; σὺ λέγεις (a non-committal phrase; Swete, Mk., 359, 369f.), Mat.27:11, Mrk.15:2, Luk.23:3, Jhn.18:37; with dative of person(s), before orat. dir., Mat.8:20, Mrk.2:17, al. mult.; id. before ὅτι, Mat.3:9, al.; with prep., πρός, μετά, περί, etc., Mrk.4:41, Jhn.11:56, Heb.9:5, al.; to mean (cl.), Mrk.14:71, Jhn.6:71, 1Co.10:29, al.; to call, name, Mrk.10:18; pass., Mat.9:9, Mrk.15:7, al (cf. ἀντι-, δια- (-μαι), προ-, συλ-λέγω). SYN.: λαλέω, which refers to the utterance, as λέγω to the meaning of what is said, its correspondence with thought (Tr., Syn., Ixxvi; Thayer, see word λαλέω). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 1988 NT verses. KJV: ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter See also: 1 Corinthians 1:10; Acts 6:2; Acts 19:3.

αυτοις autos G846 "it/s/he" Pron-DPM

This pronoun refers to a person or thing, like 'he', 'she', or 'it'. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a person or thing, like in John 2:25 where it says 'he himself knew'.

Definition: αὐτός, -ή, -ό, determinative pron., in late Gk. much more frequently than in cl. (WM, 178f.; Jannaris, HGG, §1399). __1. Emphatic (so always in nom. exc. when preceded by the art., see infr., iii); __(1) self (ipse), expressing opposition, distinction, exclusion, etc., αὐ. ἐκχυθήσεται, Luk.5:37; αὐ. ἐγινώσκεν, Jhn.2:25; αὐ.ὑμεῖς, Jhn.3:28; καὶ αὐ. ἐγώ, Rom.15:14; αὐ. Ἰησοῦς, Jhn.2:24; αὐ. καὶ οἱ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ, Mrk.2:25; ὑμεῖς αὐ., Mrk.6:31; esp. (as freq in cl.) αὐ. ὁ, Mat.3:4, Mrk.6:17, Jhn.16:27, 1Th.3:11, al.; in late Gk., sometimes weakened, ἐν αὐτῇ τ. ὥρᾳ, in that hour, Luk.10:21 (M, Pr., 91; MM, see word); __(2) emphatic, he, she, it (M, Pr., 86; Bl., §48, 1, 2, 7), Mat.1:21, 12:50, Luk.6:35, al.; pointing to some one as master (cl.), Mat.8:24, Mrk.4:38, al.; αὐ., καὶ αὐ. = οὗτος, ὁ δε (BL, §48, 1), Mat.14:2, Mrk.14:15, 44, Luk.1:22, 2:28, al. __2. In oblique cases (cl.), for the simple pron. of 3rd of person(s), he, she, it, Mat.7:9, 10:12, 26:44, al.; with ptcp. in genitive absol., Mat.9:18, Mrk.13:1, al. (for irreg. constructions, V. Bl., §74, 5); pleonastically after the relative (cf. Heb. אֲשֶׁר לוֹ; WM, 184ff.; Bl., §50, 4; MM, see word), Mrk.7:25, Rev.3:8, 7:2, al.; in constr. ad sensum, without proper subject expressly indicated, Mat.4:23, Act.8:5, 2Co.2:13, al.; genitive αὐτοῦ = ἐκείνου, Rom.11:11, 1Th.2:19, Tit.3:5, Heb.2:4. __3. ὁ, ἡ, τὸ αὐ., the same: Heb.1:12, 13:8; τὸ αὐ., ποιεῖν, Mat.5:46, 47, al.; φρονεῖν, Rom.12:16, 15:5, Php.2:2, al.; τὰ αὐ., Act.15:27, Rom.2:1, al.; κατὰ τὸ (τὰ) αὐ. (MM, see word), Act.14:1, Luk.6:23, al.; ἐπὶ τὸ αὐ., together (MM, see word), Mat.22:34, Act.1:15, al.; ἓν κ. τὸ αὐ., 1Co.11:5, 12:11; with dative (cl.), 1Co.11:5; with a noun, λόγος, Mrk.14:39; μέτρος, Php.1:30; πνεῦμα, 1Co.12:4. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 3773 NT verses. KJV: her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 John 3:10; 1 Peter 1:3.

εξεστιν exesti, exon G1832 "be permitted" Verb-PAI-3S

To be permitted or lawful, as in Mark 2:24 and Acts 8:37, where certain actions are allowed. It can also mean to be right or just, as in Matthew 12:2 and 1 Corinthians 10:23.

Definition: ἔξ-εστι (εἰμί), impers. verb., it is permitted, lawful: Mrk.2:24, Act.8:37 (R, mg.), 1Co.10:23; with inf., Mat.12:2, 10 12 14:4 15:26 19:3 22:17 27:6, Mrk.3:4 12:14, Luk.6:2, 9 14:3, Jhn.5:10; before accusative, Mrk.2:26, Luk.6:4 20:22; with dative of person(s) and inf., Mat.20:15, Mrk.6:18 10:2, Jhn.18:31, Act.16:21 21:37 22:25 (inf. understood), 1Co.6:12; ἐξόν (sc. ἐστί), Act.2:29, 2Co.12:4; ἐξὸν ἦν, Mat.12:4.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 29 NT verses. KJV: be lawful, let, X may(-est) See also: 1 Corinthians 6:12; Mark 2:24; Matthew 27:6.

τοις ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-DPN

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

σαββασιν sabbaton G4521 "Sabbath" Noun-DPN

The Sabbath refers to the seventh day of the week, a day of rest and worship. It is mentioned in Matthew 12:8 and Mark 2:27, highlighting its importance in Jewish tradition. The concept of Sabbath rest is still observed today.

Definition: σάββατον, -ου, τό (Aram. שַׁבָּתָא, transliterated σάββατα, and this being mistaken for a pl., the sing. σάββατον was formed from it), and σάββατα, -ων, τά [in LXX for שַׁבָּת, שַׁבָּתוֹן ;] __1. the seventh day of the week, the sabbath __(a) the sing. form -ον, τὸ σ.: Mat.12:8, Mrk.2:27, Luk.6:5, al.; ἡ ἡμέρα τοῦ σ. (in LXX, Exo.20:8, al., usually τῶν σ., see infr.), Luk.13:16 14:5; ὁδὸς σαββάτου, Act.1:12 (cf. Mat.24:29); dative, of time (τῷ) σ., Luk.6:9 14:1; ἐν (τῷ) σ., Mat.12:2, Luk.6:7, Jhn.5:16, al.; accusative, of duration, τὸ σ., Luk.23:56; κατὰ πᾶν σ., Act.13:27 15:21 18:4; pl., σ. τρία, Act.17:2 R, txt. (but see infr.); __(b) as most frequently in LXX (see Swete, Mk., 17; Thackeray, Gr., 35) the pl. form, τὰ σ. (see supr. on the Aram. form. There is also an analogy in the names of other festivals, τ. ἐγκαίνια, ἄζυμα, etc.): Mat.28:1, Col.2:16; ἡ ἡμέρα τῶν σ. (Exo.20:8, al.), Luk.4:16, Act.13:14 16:13; dative pl. (in LXX -τοις, but 1Ma.2:38 as in NT) by metaplasmus (El., § 9, 3), σάββασι, Mat.12:1, 5 12:10-12 Mrk.1:21 2:23 3:2, 4, Luk.4:31 6:2. __2. seven days, a week; __(a) the sing. form: πρώτη σαββάτσυ, Mrk.16:9; δὶς τοῦ σ. (Bl., § 35, 4; 36, 13), Luk.18:12; κατὰ μίαν σαββάτου, 1Co.16:2; pl., σ. τρία, Act.17:2 R, mg. (but see supr.); __(b) the pl. form: ἡ μία τῶν σ. (where the genitive = μετὰ τά; Soph., Lex., 43a), Mat.28:1, Mrk.16:2, Luk.24:1, Jhn.20:1, 19, Act.20:7 (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 62 NT verses. KJV: sabbath (day), week See also: 1 Corinthians 16:2; Luke 13:10; Matthew 28:1.

αγαθοποιησαι agathopoieō G15 "to do good" Verb-AAN

This verb means to do good or be a well-doer, as seen in 1 Peter 2:15 and 3 John 11. It can be used to describe doing good for others, like in Mark 3:4 and Luke 6:9.

Definition: ἀγαθὀ-ποιέω, -ῶ (= cl. ἀγαθὸν ποιεῖν, εὐεργετεῖν), [in LXX: Num.10:32, Jdg.17:13 A, Zep.1:12 (יטב hi.), Tob.12:13 B, 1Ma.11:33, 2Ma.1:2 * ;] to do good; __(a) univ.: 1Pe.2:15, 20, 3:6, 17, 3Jo.11; __(b) for another's benefit: Mrk.3:4 (T, ἀγαθὸν ποιῆσαι), Luk.6:9; __(with) accusative of person(s), Luk.6:33, 35 (Cremer, 8). † (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 10 NT verses. KJV: (when) do good (well) See also: 1 Peter 2:15; Acts 14:17; 1 Peter 2:20.

η ē G2228 "or" Particle

Or is a word used to show a choice between two things, like in Matthew 5:17 where it's either obey God's law or not. It's also used to compare things, like in Romans 1:21 where it's one thing or another.

Definition: ἤ, disjunctive and comparative particle (Bl., §36, 12; 77, 11); __1. disjunctive, or; __(a) between single words: Mat.5:17 Mrk.6:56, Luk.2:24, Jhn.6:19, Rom.1:21, al.; __(b) before a sentence expressing a variation, denial or refutation of a previous statement, frequently in interrog. form: Mat.7:4, 9 Mrk.12:14, Luk.13:4, Rom.3:29 6:3 9:21, 1Co.6:9, 16 9:6, 2Co.11:7; ἤ . . . ἤ, either . . . or, Mat.6:24, Luk.16:13, 1Co.14:6; __(with) in a disjunctive question (as Lat. an after utrum): Mat.9:5, Mrk.2:9, Luk.7:19, al.; after πότερον, Jhn.7:17; μή, 1Co.9:8; μήτι, 2Co.1:17; ἤ . . . ἤ . . . ἤ, Mrk.13:35. __2. Comparative, than: after comparatives, Mat.10:15, Luk.9:13, Jhn.3:19, Rom.13:11, al.; after ἕτερον, Act.17:21; θέλω (Khüner 3, iv, 303), 1Co.14:19; πρὶν ἤ, before, before accusative and inf., Mat.1:18 Mrk.14:30; after a positive adj. (Gen.49:12; cf. Robertson, Gr., 661), Mat.18:8, 9 Mrk.9:43, 45 47. __3. with other particles: ἀλλ᾽ ἤ, see: ἀλλά; ἤ γάρ, see: γάρ; ἢ καί, or even, or also, Mat.7:10, Luk.11:11, 12 Rom.2:15 4:9, al; ἤτοι . . . ἤ, Rom.6:16 (cf. Wis.11:19). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 281 NT verses. KJV: and, but (either), (n-)either, except it be, (n-)or (else), rather, save, than, that, what, yea See also: 1 Corinthians 1:13; Colossians 3:17; 1 Peter 1:11.

κακοποιησαι kakopoieō G2554 "to do evil/harm" Verb-AAN

To do harm or evil to someone, like Jesus talked about in Mark 3:4 and Luke 6:9. This word is about causing injury or sinning against others. The Bible warns against doing evil and encourages people to do good instead.

Definition: κακο-ποιέω, ῶ [in LXX chiefly for רָעַע hi. ;] to do harm, to do evil: Mrk.3:4, Luk.6:9, 1Pe.3:17, 3Jn.11 (Cremer, 329).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 4 NT verses. KJV: do(ing) evil See also: 1 Peter 3:17; Luke 6:9; Mark 3:4.

ψυχην psuchē G5590 "soul" Noun-ASF

The Greek word for soul refers to the breath of life or the seat of emotions and desires, as seen in Matthew 6:25 and John 10:11. It is the essence of a person, encompassing their will and affections. This concept is central to understanding human nature in the Bible.

Definition: ψυχή, -ῆς, ἡ, [in LXX very frequently for נֶפֶשׁ, sometimes for לֵבַב ,לֵב, etc. ;] __1. breath (Lat. anima), breath of life, life (Hom., al.; in Arist., of the vital principle): Mat.6:25, Mrk.3:4 10:45, Luk.12:22, Jhn.10:11, Act.20:10, 24 2Co.1:23, Php.2:30, 1Th.2:8, al. __2. the soul, __(a) as the seat of the will, desires and affections: Mat.26:38, Mrk.12:30" (LXX) 14:34, Luk.1:46, Jhn.10:24, Act.14:2, Php.1:27, al.; ἐκ ψυχῆς, from the heart, heartily: Eph.6:6, Col.3:23; __(b) as a periphrasis for person or self (frequently in translation from Semitic originals, see M, Pr., 87; Robinson, Gospels, 113ff.; but also frequently in cl., see LS, see word II, 2; Edwards, Lex., App. A.): Mat.11:29, Mrk.8:36, Act.2:41, Rom.2:9, 1Pe.3:20, al.; πᾶσα ψ., Act.2:43 3:23" (LXX), Rom.13:1; ψ. ζῶσα (ζωῆς), 1Co.15:45, Rev.16:3; __(with) as the object of divine grace and eternal salvation: Heb.13:17, Jas.1:21 5:20, 1Pe.1:9, 22 2:11 4:19, 3Jo.2. SYN.: see: νοῦς, πνεῦμα, ψυχικός, and cf. ICC on 1Th.5:23, Lft., Notes, 88f. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 95 NT verses. KJV: heart (+ -ily), life, mind, soul, + us, + you See also: 1 Corinthians 15:45; John 13:37; 1 Peter 1:9.

σωσαι sōzō G4982 "to save" Verb-AAN

To save or deliver someone from harm, like Jesus saving people from sin. It can also mean to heal or protect, as in Matthew 8:25 and Mark 13:20.

Definition: σώζω (on the more accurate σῴζω, see WH, Intr., §410; Bl., §3, 1-3), [in LXX chiefly for ישׁע hi., also for מלט ni., נצל ni., etc. ;] to save from peril, injury or suffering: Mat.8:25, Mrk.13:20, Luk.23:35, al.; τ. ψυχήν, Mat.16:25, al.; before ἐκ, Jhn.12:27, Heb.5:7, Ju 5; of healing, restoring to health: Mat.9:22, Mrk.5:34, al. In NT, esp. of salvation from spiritual disease and death, in which sense it is "spoken of in Scripture as either (1) past, (2) present, or (3) future, according as redemption, grace, or glory is the point in view. Thus (1) Rom.8:24, Eph.2:5, 8 2Ti.1:9, Tit.3:5; (2) Act.2:47, 1Co.1:18, 15:2, 2Co.2:15; (3) Mat.10:22, Rom.13:11, Php.2:12, Heb.9:28" (Vau. on Rom.5:9). Seq. ἀπό, Mat.1:21, Act.2:40, Rom.5:9; ἐκ, Jas.5:20, Ju 23 (cf. Cremer, 532ff.). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 102 NT verses. KJV: heal, preserve, save (self), do well, be (make) whole See also: 1 Corinthians 1:18; Luke 8:12; 1 Peter 3:21.

η ē G2228 "or" Particle

Usage: Occurs in 281 NT verses. KJV: and, but (either), (n-)either, except it be, (n-)or (else), rather, save, than, that, what, yea See also: 1 Corinthians 1:13; Colossians 3:17; 1 Peter 1:11.

αποκτειναι apokteinō G615 "to kill" Verb-AAN

To kill means to destroy or take someone's life, like in Matthew 14:5 where Herod had John the Baptist killed. It can also be used figuratively to describe spiritual destruction.

Definition: ἀπο-κτείνω (also in late forms -κτέννω, Mat.10:28, a1., LTTr., -κτεννύω, Mrk.12:5, WH), [in LXX for הָרַג, מוּת ;] to kill: Mat.14:5, al.; before instr. ἐν (which see), Eph.2:16, Rev.2:23, al. Metaphorical: Rom.7:11; τ. ἔχθραν, Eph.2:16; τὸ γράμμα ἀποκτείνει 2Co.3:6 (on the perfective force of this verb, see M, Pr., 114) (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 72 NT verses. KJV: put to death, kill, slay See also: 1 Thessalonians 2:15; Mark 6:19; Revelation 2:13.

οι ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-NPM

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

δε de G1161 "then" Conj

This is a conjunction that means and, but, or then, used to connect ideas like in Matthew 1:2 and 2 Corinthians 6:15.

Definition: δέ (before vowels δ᾽; on the general neglect of the elision in NT, see WH, App., 146; Tdf., Pr., 96), post-positive conjunctive particle; __1. copulative, but, in the next place, and, now (Abbott, JG, 104): Mat.1:2ff., 2Co.6:15, 16, 2Pe.1:5-7; in repetition for emphasis, Rom.3:21, 22, 9:30, 1Co.2:6, Gal.2:2, Php.2:8; in transition to something new, Mat.1:18, 2:19, Luk.13:1, Jhn.7:14, Act.6:1, Rom.8:28, 1Co.7:1 8:1, al.; in explanatory parenthesis or addition, Jhn.3:19, Rom.5:8, 1Co.1:12, Eph.2:4, 5:32, al.; ὡς δέ, Jhn.2:9; καὶ . . . δέ, but also, Mat.10:18, Luk.1:76, Jhn.6:51, Rom.11:23, al.; καὶ ἐὰν δέ, yea even if, Jhn.8:16. __2. Adversative, but, on the other hand, prop., answering to a foregoing μέν (which see), and distinguishing a word or clause from one preceding (in NT most frequently without μέν; Bl., §77, 12): ἐὰν δέ, Mat.6:14, 23, al.; ἐγὼ (σὺ, etc.) δέ, Mat.5:22, 6:6, Mrk.8:29, al.; ὁ δέ, αὐτὸς δέ, Mrk.1:45, Luk.4:40, al.; after a negation, Mat.6:19, 20, Rom.3:4, 1Th.5:21, al. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 2552 NT verses. KJV: also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Peter 1:7.

εσιωπων siōpaō G4623 "be quiet" Verb-IAI-3P

To be quiet means to be silent or still, often involuntarily. In the Bible, it describes being unable to speak, as in Luke 1:20 where Zechariah is dumb.

Definition: σιωπάω, -ῶ (σιωπή, silence) [in LXX for חָשָׁה, חָרַשׁ hi., etc. ;] to be silent or still, keep silence: Mat.20:31 26:63, Mrk.3:4 9:34 10:48 14:61, Luk.19:4, Act.18:9; of one dumb, Luk.1:20 (cf. 4Ma.10:18); addressed rhetorically to the sea, σιώπα, Mrk.4:39.† SYN.: ἡσυχάζω, σιγάω (which see) (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 11 NT verses. KJV: dumb, (hold) peace See also: Acts 18:9; Mark 4:39; Matthew 26:63.

Study Notes — Mark 3:4

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Mark 3:4 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Mark 3:4
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Mark 3:4
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Mark 3:4
Trapp's Commentary on Mark 3:4
Ellicott's Commentary on Mark 3:4
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Mark 3:4
Cambridge Bible on Mark 3:4
Whedon's Commentary on Mark 3:4
Sermons on Mark 3:4

Context — Jesus Heals on the Sabbath

2In order to accuse Jesus, they were watching to see if He would heal on the Sabbath. 3Then Jesus said to the man with the withered hand, “Stand up among us.”

4And He asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?” But they were silent.

5Jesus looked around at them with anger and sorrow at their hardness of heart. Then He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out, and it was restored. 6At this, the Pharisees went out and began plotting with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Luke 6:9	Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?”
2	Matthew 12:10–12	and a man with a withered hand was there. In order to accuse Jesus, they asked Him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?” He replied, “If one of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”
3	Hosea 6:6	For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
4	Mark 2:27–28	Then Jesus declared, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. Therefore, the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”
5	Luke 14:1–5	One Sabbath, Jesus went to eat in the home of a leading Pharisee, and those in attendance were watching Him closely. Right there before Him was a man with dropsy. So Jesus asked the experts in the law and the Pharisees, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?” But they remained silent. Then Jesus took hold of the man, healed him, and sent him on his way. And He asked them, “Which of you whose son or ox falls into a pit on the Sabbath day will not immediately pull him out?”
6	Luke 13:13–17	Then He placed His hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and began to glorify God. But the synagogue leader was indignant that Jesus had healed on the Sabbath. “There are six days for work,” he told the crowd. “So come and be healed on those days and not on the Sabbath.” “You hypocrites!” the Lord replied. “Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or donkey from the stall and lead it to water? Then should not this daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be released from her bondage on the Sabbath day?” When Jesus said this, all His adversaries were humiliated. And the whole crowd rejoiced at all the glorious things He was doing.
7	Mark 9:34	But they were silent, for on the way they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest.

Mark 3:4 Summary

This verse shows Jesus asking the Pharisees a tough question about what is most important on the Sabbath: doing good or doing evil. He wants them to think about what God really cares about, which is loving and helping people, as seen in Matthew 22:37-40. Jesus is teaching us that the Sabbath is a day to rest and worship, but it's also a day to show love and kindness to those around us, just like God does (Psalm 103:13). By prioritizing people over rules, we can reflect God's heart of love and compassion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Jesus ask the Pharisees about doing good or evil on the Sabbath?

Jesus asked this question to challenge the Pharisees' narrow understanding of the Sabbath, as seen in Exodus 20:8-11, and to highlight their hypocrisy in prioritizing rules over human well-being, as taught in Matthew 22:37-40.

What does it mean to 'do good' on the Sabbath?

Doing good on the Sabbath, as Jesus implied, means showing love, kindness, and compassion to those in need, as demonstrated in Luke 13:10-17, where Jesus healed a crippled woman on the Sabbath.

Why were the Pharisees silent in response to Jesus' question?

The Pharisees were silent because they knew that their strict interpretation of the Sabbath law would be exposed as heartless and contrary to God's command to love their neighbors, as stated in Leviticus 19:18 and reiterated in Matthew 22:39.

How does this verse relate to the broader theme of Jesus' ministry?

This verse illustrates Jesus' emphasis on prioritizing people over rules and traditions, as seen in Matthew 9:13, where Jesus says, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice,' highlighting the importance of showing compassion and love to those in need.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways I can 'do good' in my daily life, especially on the Sabbath, to reflect God's love and character?
How can I balance the importance of rest and worship on the Sabbath with the need to show compassion and kindness to those around me?
What are some areas in my life where I may be prioritizing rules or traditions over people, and how can I adjust my perspective to align with Jesus' teachings?
How can I cultivate a heart of love and compassion, like Jesus, to respond to the needs of those around me?

Gill's Exposition on Mark 3:4

And he saith unto them,.... Either to the whole multitude, to all the assembly in the synagogue; and so the Persic version renders it, "again he said to the multitude"; or rather, to the Scribes and

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Mark 3:4

And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand. For the exposition, see the notes at Matthew 12:9-21.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Mark 3:4

See Poole on ""

Trapp's Commentary on Mark 3:4

4 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. Ver. 4. To do good or to do evil] Not to do good, then, as there is opportunity, is to do evil. Qui non, cum potest, servat, occidit. Non faciendo nocens, sed patiendo fuit, it is said of the Emperor Claudius. Not robbing only, but the not relieving of the poor, was the rich man’ s ruin, Luke 16:19-23; passive wickedness is taxed in some of the churches, Revelation 2:4; Revelation 2:14; Revelation 2:20; Revelation 3:4; Revelation 3:15-16. To save life] Gr. øõ÷çí, soul, for man, and man for the body of man. So Psalms 16:10; "Thou wilt not leave my soul in the grave," that is, my body, as Piscator senseth it.

Ellicott's Commentary on Mark 3:4

III. (1-6) A man there which had a withered hand.—See Notes on Matthew 12:9-14. St. Mark omits the reference to the sheep fallen into a pit, and, on the other hand, gives more graphically our Lord’s “looking round” with an “anger” which yet had in it a touch as of pitying grief. The form of the Greek participle implies compassion as well as sorrow. St. Mark alone names (Mark 3:6) the Herodians as joining with the Pharisees in their plot for His destruction. On the Herodians, see Notes on Matthew 11:8; Matthew 22:16.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Mark 3:4

Verse 4. To do good - or - evil? to save life, or to kill?] It was a maxim with the Jews, as it should be with all men, that he who neglected to preserve life when it was in his power, was to be reputed a murderer. Every principle of sound justice requires that he should be considered in this light. But, if this be the case, how many murderers are there against whom there is no law but the law of God! To kill - but instead of αποκτειναι, several MSS. and versions have απολεσαι to destroy. Wetstein and Griesbach quote Theophylact for this reading; but it is not in my copy. Paris edit. 1635.

Cambridge Bible on Mark 3:4

4. But they held their peace] St Mark alone mentions this striking circumstance, as also what we read in the next verse, that “He looked round about on them with anger.”

Whedon's Commentary on Mark 3:4

4. To do good — As I now purpose to do to this man. Or to do evil — As you purpose to do to me. He intended to save life, nay, restore life to the withered hand. They sought to destroy life.

Sermons on Mark 3:4

	Sermon	Description
	Concerning Salvation by G. Campbell Morgan	G. Campbell Morgan explores the profound concept of salvation as taught by Jesus, emphasizing that salvation is not merely a state of being safe but a transformative process that d
	How to Study the Bible by W.F. Anderson	In this video, the speaker emphasizes the importance of studying the word of God and the role of language in communicating God's message to humanity. He encourages listeners to tak
	Prayer by Sadhu Sundar Singh	Sadhu Sundar Singh emphasizes the importance of prayer as a means to lay hold of God Himself, rather than just seeking material blessings. He explains that through prayer, believer
	Pharisees Live by Rules by Zac Poonen	Zac Poonen emphasizes that the Pharisees prioritize man-made rules over the life and compassion of Jesus, as illustrated by their questioning of Jesus about healing on the Sabbath.
	Mark 3:1 by Chuck Smith	Chuck Smith emphasizes the significance of Jesus' actions on the Sabbath, particularly in the healing of a man with a withered hand. The Pharisees, who were watching closely, sough
	Homily 40 on Matthew by St. John Chrysostom	John Chrysostom preaches about the dangers of envy and the importance of avoiding the pursuit of worldly honor and glory. He emphasizes the negative impact of envy on the soul, hig
	Jesus Teaches About Humility and Servanthood Luke 14:1-14 by David Servant	David Servant preaches about Jesus' sinless nature and how the Pharisees criticized Him for virtues rather than faults. He exposes the Pharisees' false humility and desire for huma