13 Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other. 14 Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him. 15 But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all; 16 And charged them that they should not make him known: (Matthew 12:13-16 KJV)
William Burkitt’s Commentary
Observe, 1. The merciful and miraculous cure wrought by our Saviour’s power upon the impotent man: he said unto him, Stretch out thine hand, and his hand was restored.
Observe, 2. What a contrary effect this cure had upon the Pharisees; instead of convincing them, they conspire against him: Christ’s enemies, when arguments fail, fall to violence.
Observe, 3. The prudent means which our Saviour uses for his own preservation, he withdrew himself. Christ’s example teaches his ministers their duty; to avoid the hands of persecutors, and prudently to preserve their lives unless when their sufferings are like to do more good than their lives.
Observe, 4. The great humility of Christ in concealing his own praises; he had no ambition that the fame of his miracles should be spread abroad, for he sought not his own glory; neither would he by the noise of his miracles enrage the Pharisees against him to take away his life; knowing that his time was not yet come, and he had much work to do before his death.