Καὶ εἰσῆλθε πάλιν εἰς τὴν συναγωγήν· καὶ ἦν ἐκεῖ ἄνθρωπος ἐξηραμμένην ἔχων τὴν χεῖρα. (Mark 3:1)
And he entered again into the synagogue, and there was a man there having a withered hand.
A Scene of Conflict and Healing
Mark 3:1 introduces a pivotal moment in Jesus’ ministry: “And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there having a withered hand.” The verse sets the stage for a confrontation between Jesus and the Pharisees about healing on the Sabbath. Though grammatically simple, the text’s verbs, participles, and descriptive phrases pack narrative and theological weight. Mark’s style — with its frequent use of the historical present, descriptive participles, and sharp contrasts — builds tension and expectation for the miracle that follows.
Key Verbal and Descriptive Forms
- εἰσῆλθε — “he entered”: aorist active indicative, 3rd singular of εἰσέρχομαι. Marks the action of Jesus’ re-entry into the synagogue.
- ἦν — “there was”: imperfect active indicative, 3rd singular of εἰμί. Introduces the setting by describing presence.
- ἔχων — “having”: present active participle, nominative masculine singular of ἔχω. Describes the man’s condition continuously.
- ἐξηραμμένην — “withered”: perfect passive participle, feminine accusative singular of ξηραίνω, modifying τὴν χεῖρα. Indicates a completed condition with lasting effect.
Parsing Table
| Greek Form | Parsing | Aspect | Function | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| εἰσῆλθε | Aor. act. ind., 3rd sg. of εἰσέρχομαι | Perfective | Main action: Jesus entering | “he entered” |
| ἦν | Imperf. act. ind., 3rd sg. of εἰμί | Imperfective | Describes ongoing presence | “there was” |
| ἔχων | Pres. act. part., nom. masc. sg. of ἔχω | Imperfective | Describes continuous possession | “having” |
| ἐξηραμμένην | Perf. pass. part., fem. acc. sg. of ξηραίνω | Stative (perfect) | Describes permanent condition of the hand | “withered” |
Jesus’ Entrance: εἰσῆλθε πάλιν εἰς τὴν συναγωγήν
The verb εἰσῆλθε (aorist active indicative) narrates Jesus’ deliberate re-entry into the synagogue. The adverb πάλιν (“again”) signals continuity — this is not the first time Mark shows Jesus in a synagogue setting, and readers anticipate both teaching and conflict. The synagogue is not just a physical location but a symbol of authority, tradition, and the religious establishment. The grammar situates the audience to expect confrontation, as synagogue scenes often frame opposition to Jesus.
The Setting: ἦν ἐκεῖ ἄνθρωπος
The imperfect ἦν portrays an ongoing state: “there was a man there.” Mark often uses the imperfect to describe background situations. The verse builds tension by introducing a character without yet explaining his role in the narrative. This simple construction creates anticipation: a man is there, and Jesus is there — conflict and resolution are imminent.
The Participial Description: ἐξηραμμένην ἔχων τὴν χεῖρα
The man is described with the participial phrase ἐξηραμμένην ἔχων τὴν χεῖρα — “having a withered hand.” The present participle ἔχων conveys ongoing possession, while the perfect passive participle ἐξηραμμένην highlights the permanence of the condition. The grammar emphasizes that this was not a temporary ailment but a lasting disability. Theologically, it sets the stage for Jesus’ authority to restore what is permanently broken.
Lexical Observations
- συναγωγή — “synagogue,” central to Jewish worship, teaching, and community life.
- ξηραίνω — “to dry up, wither.” In medical or metaphorical contexts, it describes paralysis or loss of vitality.
- ἔχω — “to have, hold,” here with participle emphasizes condition as integral to the man’s identity.
Theological Implications
Mark 3:1 sets the stage for a Sabbath healing that will expose the hardness of the Pharisees’ hearts. The grammar sharpens this contrast: Jesus’ decisive entrance (εἰσῆλθε), the man’s continuous condition (ἔχων), and the perfect participle (ἐξηραμμένην) all emphasize permanence and inevitability — until Jesus acts. The story unfolds not as chance encounter but as divinely orchestrated confrontation, where grammar itself foreshadows resolution: the permanent is about to be undone by divine authority.
Grammar that Prepares for Healing
This verse demonstrates how simple grammatical choices carry narrative force. The aorist εἰσῆλθε marks decisive action, the imperfect ἦν builds background tension, and the participles ἔχων and ἐξηραμμένην emphasize the man’s ongoing, hopeless condition. Grammar builds the atmosphere before the miracle, reminding readers that even a “withered hand” described in permanent terms is not beyond the reach of Jesus’ restoring power.
