ACC ~ Mark 3 v4

WITHERED HANDS, WITHERED MINDS

ATHANASIUS: [1] In the synagogue of the Jews was a man who had a withered hand. If he was withered in his hand, the ones who stood by were withered in their minds. And they were not looking at the crippled man nor were they expecting the miraculous deed of the one who was about to work. But before doing the work, the Savior ploughed up their minds with words. For knowing the evil of the mind and its bitter depth, he first softened them up in advance with words so as to tame the wildness of their understanding, asking: “Is it permitted to do good on the sabbath or to do evil; to save a life or to destroy one?” For if he had said to them, “Is it permitted to work?” immediately they would have said, “You are speaking contrary to the law.” Then he told them what was intended by the law, for he spoke as the One who established the laws concerning the sabbath, adding, [2] “except this: that which will be done for the sake of a life.” Again if a person falls into a hole on a sabbath, Jews are permitted to pull the person out. [3] This not only applies to a person, but also an ox or a donkey. In this way the law agrees that things relating to preservation may be done, hence Jews prepare meals on the sabbath. Then he asked them about a point on which they could hardly disagree: “Is it permitted to do good?” [4] But they did not even so much as say, “Yes,” because by then they were not in a good temper. HOMILIES 28. [5]

[1] Attributed to Athanasius.

[2] Adding to the imperative that no work is permitted.

[3] Mt 12:11.

[4] Mk 3:4; Lk 6:9.

[5] Athanasius Homilia de semente 28; cf. TLG 2035.069, 28.165.8-29; PG 28:165; cf. E. A. W. Budge, Coptic Homilies in the Dialect of Upper Egypt (London: British Museum, 1910).

THE INTENT TO DISCREDIT

CHRYSOSTOM: Jesus said to the man with the withered hand, “Come here.” Then he challenged the Pharisees as to whether it would be lawful to do good on the sabbath. Note the tender compassion of the Lord when he deliberately brought the man with the withered hand right into their presence. [1] He hoped that the mere sight of the misfortune might soften them, that they might become a little less spiteful by seeing the affliction, and perhaps out of sorrow mend their own ways. But they remained callous and unfeeling. They preferred to do harm to the name of Christ than to see this poor man made whole. They betrayed their wickedness not only by their hostility to Christ, but also by their doing so with such contentiousness that they treated with disdain his mercies to others. GOSPEL OF ST. MATTHEW, HOMILY 40.1. [2]

[1] Lk 6:8.

[2] TLG 2062.152, 57.439.3-4, 6-17; NPNF 1 10:259*.