Luke 6:8
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.
Original Language Analysis
αὐτῶν
their
G846
αὐτῶν
their
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
1 of 25
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ᾔδει
he knew
G1492
ᾔδει
he knew
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
3 of 25
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
ὁ
which
G3588
ὁ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
διαλογισμοὺς
thoughts
G1261
διαλογισμοὺς
thoughts
Strong's:
G1261
Word #:
5 of 25
discussion, i.e., (internal) consideration (by implication, purpose), or (external) debate
αὐτῶν
their
G846
αὐτῶν
their
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 of 25
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 25
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ
which
G3588
ὁ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὁ
which
G3588
ὁ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ξηρὰν
the withered
G3584
ξηρὰν
the withered
Strong's:
G3584
Word #:
12 of 25
arid; by implication, shrunken, earth (as opposed to water)
ἔχοντι
had
G2192
ἔχοντι
had
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
13 of 25
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
ὁ
which
G3588
ὁ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
χεῖρα
hand
G5495
χεῖρα
hand
Strong's:
G5495
Word #:
15 of 25
the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by hebraism) a means or instrument)
Ἔγειραι
Rise up
G1453
Ἔγειραι
Rise up
Strong's:
G1453
Word #:
16 of 25
to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e., rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
17 of 25
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἔστη
and stood forth
G2476
ἔστη
and stood forth
Strong's:
G2476
Word #:
18 of 25
to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)
εἰς
in
G1519
εἰς
in
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
19 of 25
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
ὁ
which
G3588
ὁ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὁ
which
G3588
ὁ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
22 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Historical Context
Synagogue seating typically placed teachers and elders in positions of honor, with congregation seated around them. By calling the man to stand in the midst (εἰς τὸ μέσον, eis to meson—into the middle), Jesus made him the focal point, impossible to ignore. This forced the religious leaders to confront the reality of human suffering versus their theological abstractions. First-century honor-shame culture meant this public display heightened both the tension and the man's potential humiliation if Jesus didn't follow through.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus' knowledge of our inner thoughts both convict and comfort us?
- What does the disabled man's immediate obedience to stand publicly teach about faith that acts before seeing the miracle?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
But he knew their thoughts (αὐτὸς δὲ ᾔδει τοὺς διαλογισμοὺς αὐτῶν, autos de ēdei tous dialogismous autōn)—Jesus possessed supernatural knowledge of their dialogismous (διαλογισμούς), their inner reasonings and hostile deliberations. This divine omniscience appears throughout Luke's Gospel (5:22, 9:47, 11:17). Jesus didn't wait for them to voice objections; he brought the conflict into the open: Rise up, and stand forth in the midst (Ἔγειρε καὶ στῆθι εἰς τὸ μέσον, Egeire kai stēthi eis to meson).
By placing the disabled man center stage, Jesus forced a public decision—will they prioritize human need or religious regulation? The man's obedience—he arose and stood forth—demonstrated faith before healing occurred. This public confrontation reveals Jesus' courage and his refusal to let evil hide in shadows.