OET interlinear MAT 12:10

12:10a

and a man…was there: In Greek, this verse begins with an expression that can be translated as “and behold.” This word focuses attention on what follows and indicates that it is important, unexpected, or amazing. In this passage, this expression introduces and focuses attention on the man with a withered hand.

Here are some other ways to translate this expression:

a certain man was there

now a man was there (NJB)

There was a man there

with a withered hand: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as withered hand is more literally “dried hand.” This phrase indicates that the man’s hand was paralyzed/crippled. The man could not move his hand or use it.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

who had a paralyzed hand (GNT)

whose hand was crippled (CEV)

his hand was dried/dead

hand: The Greek word for hand refers to the end of the man’s arm that included his fingers, palm, and back of his hand. It could also include the wrist and forearm. Here the Greek text does not specify how much of the man’s hand was crippled. It is possible that the area from the fingers to the elbow was paralyzed.

In some languages, the “hand” and “arm” are often referred to using the same word. In Greek, there are two different words: one for arm and one for hand. Here the Greek word refers specifically to the part at the end of the man’s arm. You can use a word that includes the area from the fingers to the wrist, or the area from the fingers to the elbow. If possible, you should not use a word that can also mean the entire arm up to the shoulder.

12:10b–c

The Pharisees believed that healing was work. Therefore, healing was not allowed on the Sabbath. They believed that Jesus was wrong to heal on the Sabbath. So they asked Jesus a question to encourage him to say something that was against God’s law. Then they could accuse him in court of being wrong.

In some languages, it may be more natural to change the order of 12:10b–c. For example:

^cAnd they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”—^bso that they might accuse him.

12:10b

In order to accuse Jesus: There is some implicit information here. The Pharisees asked their question and hoped that Jesus would answer in a way that contradicted the law. Then they could accuse him. So this clause indicates that the purpose of the Pharisees’ question in 12:10c was to trick Jesus to say something wrong so that they could accuse him.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

• Keep the conjunction In order and the purpose clause, and include some implied information. For example:

  They were hoping he would say yes, in order that they could bring charges against him. (NLT)

  They asked him this question to force/cause him to say something wrong so that they could accuse him.

• Translate this clause as the reason that the Pharisees asked their question. For example:

  They asked this question because they wanted to accuse him of breaking the law.

accuse: This word means “say before authorities that (someone) has broken the law,” so that the person will be arrested.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

accuse him of doing something wrong (GW)

claim that he is a lawbreaker

blame him for breaking the law

12:10c

they asked Him: The pronoun they refers to some Pharisees who were in the synagogue. The pronoun Him refers to Jesus, not the man with a withered hand.

Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?: The Greek word that the BSB translates as Is it lawful is more literally “Is it permitted.” This means “Does God’s/Moses’ law permit healing on the Sabbath day?” The Pharisees believed that it was against God’s law to heal on the Sabbath.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

Is it permitted to cure somebody on the Sabbath day? (NJB)

Is it against our Law to heal on the Sabbath? (GNT)

Teacher, is it not against God’s law to heal a sick/handicapped person on the day of rest?