Mark 2:24

And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?

And {G2532} the Pharisees {G5330} said {G3004} unto him {G846}, Behold {G2396}, why {G5101} do they {G4160} on {G1722} the sabbath day {G4521} that which {G3739} is {G1832} not {G3756} lawful {G1832}?

The P'rushim said to him, "Look! Why are they violating Shabbat?"

So the Pharisees said to Him, โ€œLook, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?โ€

And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?

Commentary

Mark 2:24 captures a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry, highlighting the growing tension between His radical teachings and the rigid legalism of the religious establishment. This verse directly quotes the Pharisees' accusation against Jesus' disciples regarding their actions on the Sabbath day.

Context

This verse immediately follows the account in Mark 2:23, where Jesus and His disciples were walking through corn fields. As they passed, the disciples began to pluck ears of corn, rubbing them in their hands and eating them. While plucking grain for immediate consumption was permissible under Mosaic Law (Deuteronomy 23:25), the Pharisees considered this act of "reaping" and "threshing" as work, thereby violating their extensive oral traditions and interpretations of Sabbath observance. Their question, "Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?", underscores their focus on the letter of the law and their traditions over the spirit of compassion and necessity.

Key Themes

  • Sabbath Observance and Its Purpose: The core of the conflict revolves around the proper understanding and application of the Sabbath commandment. For the Pharisees, it was about strict adherence to rules; for Jesus, it was about God's intent for humanity's benefit and rest.
  • Legalism vs. Grace: The Pharisees represent a system of religious legalism, where meticulous adherence to rules (often man-made additions) becomes more important than human need or God's original purpose. This contrasts sharply with Jesus' approach, which emphasizes mercy and the spirit of the law.
  • Jesus' Authority: This challenge sets the stage for Jesus' profound declaration about the purpose of the Sabbath and His authority over it in the subsequent verses. He positions Himself as the "Lord even of the sabbath day" (Mark 2:28), asserting His divine prerogative to interpret and fulfill the Law.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "not lawful" translates from the Greek ouk exestin (ฮฟแฝฮบ แผ”ฮพฮตฯƒฯ„ฮนฮฝ), which literally means "it is not permitted" or "it is not right." This term highlights the Pharisees' legalistic framework, where an action is judged purely by its adherence to established rules, rather than by its moral intent or contextual necessity. Their understanding of what was "lawful" on the Sabbath was heavily influenced by the Halakha, their oral traditions and interpretations which often went beyond the written Mosaic Law.

Practical Application

Mark 2:24 serves as a timeless reminder to examine our own understanding of religious rules and traditions. Are we, like the Pharisees, prioritizing strict adherence to forms over the underlying principles of love, mercy, and compassion? This passage encourages believers to:

  • Seek the Spirit of the Law: Understand the purpose behind God's commands, which are always for our good and His glory, not merely burdens.
  • Beware of Legalism: Guard against becoming so focused on external regulations that we miss the heart of God's will or condemn others who act out of genuine need.
  • Embrace Jesus' Authority: Recognize that Jesus is the ultimate interpreter and fulfiller of the Law, and His teachings provide the true path to righteousness and freedom. Similar conflicts over Sabbath observance and healing appear throughout the Gospels, such as in Luke 13:10-17.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Exodus 20:10

    But the seventh day [is] the sabbath of the LORD thy God: [in it] thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that [is] within thy gates:

  • Hebrews 12:3

    For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

  • Matthew 12:2

    But when the Pharisees saw [it], they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day.

  • Mark 2:7

    Why doth this [man] thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?

  • Isaiah 56:4

    For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose [the things] that please me, and take hold of my covenant;

  • Exodus 31:15

    Six days may work be done; but in the seventh [is] the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth [any] work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.

  • Isaiah 56:6

    Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant;