Lord Of The Sabbath

Study of Mark 2:23-28 Part 4 of 4

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In Mark 2:23-24 Jesus disciples were walking along a footpath through someone’s grain fields on the sabbath. They began picking heads of grain to eat. It was considered legitimate by scripture Deuteronomy 23:25. Pharisees however viewed it as reaping, an act of work which was forbidden on the sabbath Exodus 34:21. So the Pharisees demanded an explanation from Jesus. 

In Mark 2:25-26 Jesus In response appealed to scripture and a precedent set by David and his companions when they were hungry and in need 1 Samuel 21:1-6. The key elements to this incident are the words “his companions” and “in need”. David entered the tabernacle court, requested the consecrated bread Leviticus 24:5-9 which was restricted by Mosaic legislation to the priests Leviticus 24:9 and gave some to his men. Jesus used this action which God did not condemn to show that the pharisees’ narrow interpretation of the law blurred God’s intention. The spirit of the law in respect to human need took priority over its ceremonial regulations. 

Mark stated that David’s actions occurred in the days of Abiathar the high priest, but the high priest was actually Ahimelech, his father 1 Samuel 21:1. A plausible explanation is to render the introductory phrase “in the passage about Abiathar, the high priest” (parallel phrase in Mark 12:26). This was a customary Jewish way to indicate the section of the Old Testament where a desired incident could be found. Abiathar became high priest shortly after Ahimelech and proved more prominent, thus justifying the use of his name here.

Mark 2:27-28, with the words “then he said to them” appended two principles: He quoted Jesus’ words that the sabbath was instituted by God for mankind’s benefit and refreshment, not that people were made to keep burdensome regulations pertaining to it. Mark concluded with an editorial comment on the meaning of Jesus’ statement. The Son Of Man Mark 8:31 is Lord even of The Sabbath. He has sovereign authority over its use. 

Facts About The Sabbath

The word “Sabbath” comes from the Greek root meaning “to cease, desist”.  

• First use of the word “Sabbath” is in Genesis 2:2-3 when God rested
• God commanded His people to follow the Sabbath in the Ten Commandments Exodus 20:8-11
• Sabbath is to be holy, be a celebration, be absent of work, be a day of rest and refreshment Exodus 31:12-18. 
• More emphasis on rest and refreshment, Hebrew
• The etymology of the word from Greek understanding to Hebrew origins shows how man changed the Sabbath over time. 

Rabbinical teaching of the time incorporated numerous restrictions that were arbitrary and burdensome. God intended a day of rest and the restrictions resulted in it being a stressful occasion. Jesus got to the heart of the matter when they were harvesting heads of grain we discussed earlier in this study. They were not seeking a means to work but as a means to feed themselves. In Mark 2:27Jesus said “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath”. The Sabbath was God’s gift to us