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 12:13KJV
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Matthew 12:13 (KJV)

What does Matthew 12:13 mean?

Matthew 12:13 describes Jesus telling a man with a withered hand to stretch it out, and when the man obeys, his hand is completely healed and becomes as healthy as his other hand. This verse shows a moment where Jesus performs a visible, immediate miracle in front of others.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking directly to a man in the synagogue whose hand is paralyzed or shriveled. The situation is tense because religious leaders are watching to see if Jesus will heal on the Sabbath, which they considered work. By healing the man instantly and fully, Jesus demonstrates both compassion and authority, challenging the strict interpretations of Sabbath rules.

The Greek behind Matthew 12:13

  • ἀποκατεστάθη (apokatestathē, "restored"): This word means to return something to its original condition. Here, it emphasizes that the man's hand was not just improved but made completely whole, just like his other hand.
  • ὑγιής (hugiēs, "whole"): This word means healthy, sound, or complete. The use of this word underlines that the healing was total, leaving no trace of the previous deformity.
  • ὡς (hōs, "as"): This word draws a direct comparison, making it clear that the restored hand was just as healthy as the other, not partially healed.

Why Matthew 12:13 matters

  • Matthew 12:13 clears up any idea that Jesus’ miracles were vague or partial; the healing is described as complete and undeniable, witnessed by everyone present.
  • The verse highlights Jesus’ willingness to help someone in need, even when religious customs are being questioned, showing that mercy and restoration are central to his actions.
  • This moment connects to the larger conflict in the chapter between Jesus and the religious leaders over what is lawful on the Sabbath, making the miracle a turning point in the narrative.

Where else these words appear

“restored” Greek G600 · used in 8 verses

  • Matthew 17:11 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.
  • Mark 8:25 After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly.
  • Luke 6:10 And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other.

“forth” Greek G1614 · used in 14 verses

  • Matthew 8:3 And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
  • Mark 1:41 And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.
  • Luke 22:53 When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.

“whole” Greek G5199 · used in 14 verses

  • Matthew 15:31 Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.
  • John 5:4 For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.
  • John 5:14 Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.

“other” Greek G243 · used in 141 verses

  • Matthew 2:12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
  • Mark 14:58 We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.
  • Acts 15:2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.