2 And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him.

Other Translations of Mark 3:2

New International Version

2 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.

English Standard Version

2 And they watched Jesus,Greek him to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse him.

The Message

2 The Pharisees had their eyes on Jesus to see if he would heal him, hoping to catch him in a Sabbath infraction.

New King James Version

2 So they watched Him closely, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him.

New Living Translation

2 Since it was the Sabbath, Jesus' enemies watched him closely. If he healed the man's hand, they planned to accuse him of working on the Sabbath.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Mark 3:2

Commentary on Mark 3:1-5

(Read Mark 3:1-5)

This man's case was piteous; he had a withered hand, which disabled him from working for his living; and those that are so, are the most proper objects of charity. Let those be helped that cannot help themselves. But stubborn infidels, when they can say nothing against the truth, yet will not yield. We hear what is said amiss, and see what is done amiss; but Christ looks at the root of bitterness in the heart, the blindness and hardness of that, and is grieved. Let hard-hearted sinners tremble to think of the anger with which he will look upon them shortly, when the day of his wrath comes. The great healing day now is the sabbath, and the healing place the house of prayer; but the healing power is of Christ. The gospel command is like that recorded here: though our hands are withered, yet, if we will not stretch them out, it is our own fault that we are not healed. But if we are healed, Christ, his power and grace, must have all the glory.