Mark 2:27

And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:

And {G2532} he said {G3004} unto them {G846}, The sabbath {G4521} was made {G1096} for {G1223} man {G444}, and not {G3756} man {G444} for {G1223} the sabbath {G4521}:

Then he said to them, "Shabbat was made for mankind, not mankind for Shabbat;

Then Jesus declared, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.

And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:

Commentary

In Mark 2:27, Jesus delivers a profound statement regarding the true purpose of the Sabbath, challenging the rigid interpretations of the religious leaders of His day. This verse is a cornerstone for understanding God's heart behind His commands.

Context

This declaration by Jesus comes immediately after a confrontation with the Pharisees. As Jesus and His disciples were passing through grainfields on the Sabbath, the disciples began to pluck heads of grain and eat them, an act that the Pharisees deemed unlawful work on the holy day (Mark 2:23). The Pharisees, obsessed with the letter of the law and their own traditions, accused Jesus' disciples of breaking the Sabbath. Jesus defends His disciples by first referencing King David's actions in a time of need (1 Samuel 21:6), and then by articulating the foundational principle that the Sabbath was designed to serve humanity, not the other way around.

Key Themes

  • The Purpose of the Sabbath: This verse clarifies that the Sabbath, ordained by God as a day of rest and spiritual renewal, was given as a gift for humanity's benefit, not as an oppressive burden. It emphasizes God's desire for human flourishing.
  • Humanity Over Ritual: Jesus prioritizes human well-being and genuine need above strict, legalistic adherence to religious rules. This highlights a broader principle that God's laws are meant to serve and bless people, not to become ends in themselves, devoid of compassion.
  • Jesus' Authority: Implicitly, Jesus asserts His divine authority to interpret and fulfill the Law. This statement sets the stage for His subsequent declaration in Mark 2:28, where He proclaims Himself "Lord also of the sabbath."
  • Grace vs. Legalism: The verse stands as a powerful rebuke to legalism, which elevates human traditions and rigid interpretations above God's compassionate intent. It underscores the importance of the spirit of the law over its mere letter.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek phrase "dia ton anthrōpon egeneto" (διὰ τὸν ἄνθρωπον ἐγένετο) translates to "for the sake of man it came into being" or "was made for man." The preposition "dia" (διὰ) here signifies purpose or benefit, strongly emphasizing that the Sabbath's existence is for humanity's good. The term "sabbaton" (σάββατον) refers to the seventh day, a time of cessation from labor, rooted in the creation account and the Fourth Commandment in Exodus 20:8.

Practical Application

Mark 2:27 offers timeless insights for believers today. It encourages us to examine our own religious practices and traditions, ensuring they genuinely serve God's purposes of love, mercy, and human well-being, rather than becoming empty rituals or burdens. The verse reminds us that God's commands are ultimately for our good (Deuteronomy 10:13). It also underscores the importance of rest and renewal in our lives, recognizing that God designed us with a need for cessation from labor, both physically and spiritually, to thrive.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Colossians 2:16

    ¶ Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath [days]:

  • Luke 6:9

    Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy [it]?

  • Deuteronomy 5:14

    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, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that [is] within thy gates; that thy manservant and thy maidservant may rest as well as thou.

  • Ezekiel 20:12

    Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I [am] the LORD that sanctify them.

  • Isaiah 58:13

    ¶ If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, [from] doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking [thine own] words:

  • Exodus 23:12

    Six days thou shalt do thy work, and on the seventh day thou shalt rest: that thine ox and thine ass may rest, and the son of thy handmaid, and the stranger, may be refreshed.

  • Ezekiel 20:20

    And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I [am] the LORD your God.