Paragraph 14:4–6

14:4a

But they remained silent: The clause they remained silent indicates that the Pharisees and experts did not answer Jesus’ question. The text does not indicate the exact reason why they did not answer. They probably realized that people would criticize them for either answer they gave. If they said that it was lawful to heal on the Sabbath, the other Jewish leaders could accuse them of not supporting the law against work on the Sabbath. If they said it was not lawful, the common people would accuse them of not caring about the suffering of sick people.

14:4b

Then: In Greek 14:4b begins with a conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Then. This conjunction introduces Jesus’ next action after the Jewish leaders refused to answer his question. Many English versions, including the New International Version, translate the conjunction as “So.” Other versions, such as the Good News Translation, do not translate this conjunction. Here is another way to connect 14:4a and 14:4b:

When they refused to answer, Jesus touched the sick man… (New Living Translation (2004))

Translate this connection in a natural way in your language.

Jesus took hold of the man, healed him: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as took hold of the man is literally “having-taken” or “having-taken-hold.” It probably indicates that Jesus put his hands on the man in order to heal him. It does not imply that Jesus took the man to a different location. While 14:4b is part of the same sentence as 14:4a in Greek, in some languages it will be more natural to start a new sentence at 14:4b. Most English versions do that. For example:

So Jesus took hold of the man, healed him (NET Bible)
-or-
Then Jesus touched the man and healed him

sent him on his way: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as sent him on his way indicates here that Jesus dismissed the man. He gave him permission to leave and go home. Be careful not to imply that Jesus harshly ordered the man to leave.

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