Hardness of Heart
A. Barnes, D. D. Mark 3:5 And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he said to the man… I. THE HEART — figuratively the seat of feeling, or affection. II. It is said to be TENDER when it is easily affected by the sufferings of others; by our own sin and danger; by the love and commands of God — when we are easily made to feel on the great subjects pertaining to our interest (Ezekiel 11:19, 20). III. It is HARD when nothing moves it; when a man is alike insensible to the sufferings of others, the dangers of his own condition, and the commands, the love, and the threatenings of God. It is most tender in youth. It is made hard by indulgence in sin; by long resisting the offers of salvation. Hence the most favourable period for securing an interest in Christ, or for becoming a Christian, is in youth — the first, the tenderest, and the best days of life. (A. Barnes, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other. WEB: When he had looked around at them with anger, being grieved at the hardening of their hearts, he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and his hand was restored as healthy as the other.