Mark 3:1He entered again into the synagogue, and there was a man there who had his hand withered.
The setting
Capernaum synagogue, ~29 AD. Saturday morning worship. A man with a paralyzed hand sits among the congregation, unaware he's about to become the center of a theological battleground. Modern-day ruins near Capernaum, Israel.
The emotion here: observant tension as Mark sets up the confrontation he witnessed
The original word
xēros (ξηρός) — dried up, withered, completely unusable
Why it matters
Synagogue worship included Scripture reading, prayers, and teaching by visiting rabbis
Read with care
What most readers miss in Mark 3:1
Mark doesn't say the man asked for healing - Jesus initiated this confrontation
Common misconceptionPeople think this man came seeking healing, but the text suggests he was just attending worship when Jesus chose to make him the focal point.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Mark 3:1
Bible Genome reading
Mark 3:1 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Mark 3:1 comes from the book of Mark, written during the gospel period. The setting is the Temple. These words are attributed to Mark. The dominant emotion in this verse is starting, with a comfort power of 20% and a tone that is reflective. It belongs to the narrative genre of biblical literature. Key themes include disability, encounter. Notable phrases: withered hand; synagogue.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same starting
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
— Genesis 1:1
“God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.”
— Genesis 1:3
“I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.”
— Philippians 4:13
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and t…”
— Acts 1:8
“Peter said to them, "Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receiv…”
— Acts 2:38
Your reflection
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