HE LOOKED AROUND AT THE ANGRILY AND WAS DEEPLY SADDENED BY THEIR HARD HEARTS. THEN HE SAID TO THE MAN 'HOLD OUT YOUR HAND' SO THE MAN HELD OUT HIS HAND, AND IT WAS RESTORED. 6 AT ONCE THE PHARISEES WENT AWAY AND MET WITH THE SUPPORTERS OF HEROD TO PLOT HOW TO KILL JESUS.
Context: In an unspecified synagogue, probably in galilee - no other protagonist is mentioned by name - thus the focus is on Jesus. According to Bible Hub the fact that Jesus' human expressions can be read on his face suggests an eye witness. It goes on to explain the difference between a just anger and the anger of man which usually comes from pride and is based on self-love. This is an anger which desires the justice of God. It is quickly followed by Jesus' understanding - it comes from their hard hearts and the anger is swiftly followed by compassion. Although the Pharisees are described as enemies Jesus wants all to repent including his enemies. To know what a hard heart is, we must recognise this in ourselves otherwise we would not understand the expression. The text leads us to discovering our own hearts.
As soon as the man's hand is restored - a witness to Jesus' divine power, the immediate exit of the Pharisees is telling - it suggests both anger and fear - they have a formidable opponet, one who is not going to obey them, and who is challenging their control over the Jewish people.
Once again the narrative becomes vague - it does not say to which place they go to, nor who were the supporters of Herod. Who knows this? This must be retrospective knowledge because the witness who saw the expression on Jesus' face would not presumably left with the Pharisees.
The tone is now changed and the reader knows that Jesus' life is now in danger and that He will die.
amen/
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