Mark 2:23-28 (NKJV) Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath
(Matt. 12:1–8; Luke 6:1–5)
23 Now it happened that He went through the grainfields on the Sabbath; and as they went, His disciples began to pluck the heads of grain. 24 And the Pharisees said to Him, “Look, why do they do what is not lawful on the Sabbath?”
25 But He said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and hungry, he and those with him: 26 how he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the showbread, which is not lawful to eat except for the priests, and also gave some to those who were with him?”
27 And He said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. 28 Therefore, the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.”
V23 “Now it happened that He went through the grainfields on the Sabbath; and as they went, His disciples began to pluck the heads of grain.” Harvesting is work that is forbidden (Exodus 20:8-11). Plucking grain heads is allowed (Deuteronomy 23:25).
Orthodox Jews today have a list of 39 categories of forbidden work: https://www.ou.org/holidaythe_thirty_nine_categories_of_sabbath_work_prohibited_by_law/#17.
Jesus, who is Lord of the Sabbath (originator), allows it (Matthew 12:1-14).
V24 “And the Pharisees said to Him, “Look, why do they do what is not lawful on the Sabbath?” Jesus is teaching by example, correcting their thinking from manmade rules to God’s rules. See Mark 7:7.
V25 “But He said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and hungry, he and those with him…” They should have been familiar with Scripture plus have proper Bible interpretation skills—the plain, normal sense. “Have you not read” is a common statement by Jesus as a form of rebuke.
V26 “…how he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the showbread, which is not lawful to eat except for the priests, and also gave some to those who were with him?” The problem here for many is that Abiathar was not High Priest. When a High Priest retired (age 50—Numbers 4:1-5), they still retained the title but not the office. Compare Luke 3:2, John 18:13, and Acts 4:6.
Dr. Henry M. Morris understands it as Abiathar became High Priest and was known as such. Today, even after someone is dead, they are referred to as King George, President Lincoln, General Patton, etc.
“Abiathar the high priest. Jesus knew that Abiathar’s father Ahimelich was still high priest at this time (see 1 Samuel 21:1-6). However, Abiathar was no doubt present at the time, and soon thereafter became high priest under David. The account here by Mark simply says that this event occurred in the time of Abiathar, not necessarily in the time when he served as high priest.”
Others believe that from Aaron to the time of the Temple’s Destruction (70 AD), there were 83 High Priests, thus, they served from consecration to death.
Even after age 50, the priests stopped their duties but still were priests. Some duties were carrying the Tabernacle items.
V27 “And He said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.” This is a principle based on God’s Law. Jesus was teaching the true Mosaic Law and application, which the Scribes and Pharisees had corrupted. One day off from work is taught from creation (Genesis 2:1-3). But the Sabbath was a sign between Israel and God, not everyone (Exodus 31:16-17).
V28 “Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.” Another principle. Jesus was the originator of the Sabbath (Genesis 2:1-3 and Exodus 20:11) and the rule-giver concerning the laws of the Sabbath.
Bridge Bible Dictionary adds:
“It seems that from early times people in general recognized a week of seven days (Genesis 8:10; Genesis 8:12; Genesis 29:27), and God’s people in particular ceased their work one day in seven. This was for two purposes: firstly, to set the day apart for God instead of using it for themselves; secondly, to rest from their daily work and so gain refreshment (Exodus 16:22-30).
“God’s appointment for Israel
“When God formally established Israel as his people and gave them his laws, one of the laws was that they had to rest from their work every seventh day. The day was set apart especially for God and was, in fact, a sign that the people were bound to God by covenant.”
We learn:
- Some principles laid down by Jesus.
- The true meaning of the Mosaic Sabbath.
- Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath.
Questions:
- Do we follow Sabbath laws today?
- Is Jesus your Lord?