Luke 6:6

And it came to passe also on another Sabbath, that he entred into the Synagogue, and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered. Luke 6:6 (KJV)

Jesus entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, a place of Jewish worship, study, and assembly where the people customarily gathered to hear the reading and teaching of Scripture. This incident belongs to the broader context of Luke 6, a chapter that records several of Jesus’ encounters and teachings. While He was teaching, He met a man whose right hand was withered, a condition that would have caused significant physical limitation and social stigma. The text gives no name or background for the man, focusing instead on his need.

The verse notes that Jesus taught in the synagogue on that Sabbath, underscoring that teaching was an integral part of His ministry. The mention of the right hand carries symbolic weight; in biblical culture the right hand represented power, strength, and authority. A withered right hand therefore signified weakness, helplessness, and an inability to function as intended.

The Sabbath setting is crucial because the religious leaders of the time held strict interpretations that prohibited work or healing on the day of rest. Jesus consistently challenged these legalistic views, emphasizing compassion, mercy, and the true purpose of the Sabbath—to bring relief to those in need. This verse therefore sets the stage for the miraculous healing that follows, revealing Jesus’ compassion for the suffering and His willingness to restore and transform lives.

The subsequent verses (Luke 6:7‑11) record Jesus’ confrontation with the religious leaders over the healing on the Sabbath and His response to their objections. Overall, Luke 6:6 highlights the ministry of Jesus, His deep compassion for the afflicted, and His readiness to confront legalistic interpretations of the law in order to bring healing and restoration to people’s lives.