Mark 2:23-28
23 One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and as his disciples walked along, they began to pick some heads of grain. 24 The Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?” 25 He answered, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need? 26 In the days of Abiathar the high priest, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions.” 27 Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 28 So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”
Mark 2:23-28: Verse-by-Verse Analysis
Verse 23: “One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and as his disciples walked along, they began to pick some heads of grain.”
Jesus and his disciples were traveling on the Sabbath. The disciples picked grain to eat. This action was seen as work by some.
Verse 24: “The Pharisees said to him, ‘Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?'”
The Pharisees questioned Jesus. They believed picking grain was breaking Sabbath law. They were strict about Sabbath observance.
Verse 25: “He answered, ‘Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need?'”
Jesus responded with a question. He referenced a story about David. This story is found in 1 Samuel 21:1-6.
Verse 26: “In the days of Abiathar the high priest, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions.”
David ate bread meant only for priests. He shared it with his men. Jesus used this to show that human need can override ceremonial law.
Verse 27: “Then he said to them, ‘The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.'”
Jesus explained the purpose of the Sabbath. It was meant to benefit people. It was not meant to be a burden.
Verse 28: “So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”
Jesus declared his authority. He is Lord of the Sabbath. This means he has the right to interpret its laws.