Matthew 12:13 Meaning and Commentary

“Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.”– Matthew 12:13 (KJV)

“Then he said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ So he stretched it out, and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other.”– Matthew 12:13 (NLT)

“Then he said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He stretched it out, and it was as good as new—like the other one.”– Matthew 12:13 (MSG)

What Does Matthew 12:13 Mean?

The verse we are looking at tells a simple yet powerful story. In this story, Jesus performs a miracle by healing a man’s hand that was not functioning properly. When we examine this verse, it reveals much about Jesus’s character and mission. First of all, we see His compassion for those who suffer. Jesus sees the man and chooses to heal him not just to show His power, but because He cares for the individual’s pain. This is important for us to remember in our lives today; no matter our struggles, we have a Savior who cares deeply about our needs.

This verse also gives us insight into faith and obedience. Jesus commands the man to stretch out his hand. The man’s obedience is key here. His willingness to respond to Jesus’s command demonstrates faith. How many times in our lives are we hesitant to act because we’re unsure of the outcome? This man showed that by trusting and obeying, he received a blessing. When we take a leap of faith, we too can experience restoration.

Matthew 12:13 Explanation and Commentary