But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth.

LUKE 6:8KJV
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Luke 6:8 (KJV)

What does Luke 6:8 mean?

Luke 6:8 shows Jesus bringing a man with a disabled hand into public view, even though Jesus knows what his critics are thinking. The man responds to Jesus’ command and stands where everyone can see him.

After the observers watch Jesus closely in verse 7, Jesus addresses the man directly. “In the midst” pictures the man standing among the people gathered there, rather than remaining unnoticed.

The Greek behind Luke 6:8

  • “thoughts” — διαλογισμός (dialogismos): This word can mean thoughts or inward reasoning. Here it points to what Jesus’ observers were considering as they watched him.
  • “withered” — ξηρός (xēros): This word can describe something dry or shriveled. Used of the hand, it conveys its impaired condition.

Why Luke 6:8 matters

  • Jesus’ instruction makes the coming encounter visible to the group. The words “stand forth in the midst” place the man at the center of the scene before Jesus speaks further.
  • The observers’ thoughts are part of the tension in the passage. In verse 7, they are watching for a reason to accuse Jesus, and verse 8 says Jesus knows their thoughts.
  • The man’s movement prepares for what follows. He stands at Jesus’ request, and Jesus then asks the group a question about doing good on the sabbath, their day of rest (verse 9).

Where else these words appear

“withered” Greek G3584 · used in 7 verses

  • Matthew 12:10 And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.
  • Luke 6:6 And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered.
  • John 5:3 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.

“thoughts” Greek G1261 · used in 14 verses

  • Matthew 15:19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
  • Luke 9:46 Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest.
  • Romans 14:1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.

“midst” Greek G3319 · used in 59 verses

  • Matthew 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
  • Luke 17:11 And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.
  • Acts 23:10 And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle.

“arose” Greek G450 · used in 111 verses

  • Matthew 9:9 And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.
  • Luke 11:8 I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.
  • Acts 8:27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,