John Chapter 7 · Verse 23
If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day?
Original Language Analysis
περιτομὴν
circumcision
G4061
περιτομὴν
circumcision
Strong's:
G4061
Word #:
2 of 21
circumcision (the rite, the condition or the people, literally or figuratively)
σαββάτῳ
the sabbath day
G4521
σαββάτῳ
the sabbath day
Strong's:
G4521
Word #:
6 of 21
the sabbath (i.e., shabbath), or day of weekly repose from secular avocations (also the observance or institution itself); by extension, a se'nnight,
μὴ
G3361
μὴ
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
8 of 21
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
νόμος
the law
G3551
νόμος
the law
Strong's:
G3551
Word #:
11 of 21
law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat
Μωσέως,
of Moses
G3475
Μωσέως,
of Moses
Strong's:
G3475
Word #:
12 of 21
moseus, moses, or mouses (i.e., mosheh), the hebrew lawgiver
χολᾶτε
are ye angry
G5520
χολᾶτε
are ye angry
Strong's:
G5520
Word #:
14 of 21
to be bilious, i.e., (by implication) irritable (enraged, "choleric")
ὅτι
because
G3754
ὅτι
because
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
15 of 21
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ὅλον
every whit
G3650
ὅλον
every whit
Strong's:
G3650
Word #:
16 of 21
"whole" or "all", i.e., complete (in extent, amount, time or degree), especially (neuter) as noun or adverb
ὑγιῆ
whole
G5199
ὑγιῆ
whole
Strong's:
G5199
Word #:
18 of 21
healthy, i.e., well (in body); figuratively, true (in doctrine)
Historical Context
The Pharisaic tradition had developed complex Sabbath rules while Jesus emphasized Sabbath's redemptive purpose. The healed man had been paralyzed 38 years (John 5:5)—his healing wasn't life-threatening emergency but compassionate mercy. Jesus deliberately healed on Sabbath multiple times (Luke 13:10-17, 14:1-6, John 9:14) to challenge legalism and reveal God's heart. Early Christians wrestled with Sabbath observance as gospel spread to Gentiles (Romans 14:5, Colossians 2:16).
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus's Sabbath ministry reveal God's priorities?
- What modern religious traditions might obscure biblical mercy and compassion?
- How do we balance respect for tradition with faithfulness to Scripture's heart?
Analysis & Commentary
If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day? Jesus completes His argument. If circumcision (affecting one body part) proceeds on Sabbath 'that the law...not be broken,' then healing an entire person (holon anthrōpon hugiē) should be celebrated, not condemned. 'Every whit whole' emphasizes complete restoration—not partial but total healing. The question 'are ye angry' (cholate) exposes their misplaced indignation. They're zealous for Sabbath tradition but indifferent to human suffering. Reformed theology sees here Christ's priorities: people over protocol, mercy over ceremony, substance over shadow.