New International VersionThen he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.
New Living TranslationThen Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath.
English Standard VersionAnd he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.
Berean Standard BibleThen Jesus declared, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.
Berean Literal BibleAnd He said to them, "The Sabbath was made on account of the man, and not the man on account of the Sabbath.
King James BibleAnd he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:
New King James VersionAnd He said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.
New American Standard BibleJesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.
NASB 1995Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.
NASB 1977And He was saying to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.
Legacy Standard BibleAnd Jesus was saying to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.
Amplified BibleJesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.
Christian Standard BibleThen he told them, “The Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath.
Holman Christian Standard BibleThen He told them, “The Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath.
American Standard VersionAnd he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:
Contemporary English VersionJesus finished by saying, "People were not made for the good of the Sabbath. The Sabbath was made for the good of people.
English Revised VersionAnd he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:
GOD'S WORD® TranslationThen he added, "The day of worship was made for people, not people for the day of worship.
Good News TranslationAnd Jesus concluded, "The Sabbath was made for the good of human beings; they were not made for the Sabbath.
International Standard VersionThen he told them, "The Sabbath was made for people, not people for the Sabbath.
NET BibleThen he said to them, "The Sabbath was made for people, not people for the Sabbath.
New Heart English BibleAnd he said to them, "The Sabbath was made for people, not people for the Sabbath.
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd he said to them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:
Weymouth New TestamentAnd Jesus said to them: "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath; Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThen Jesus declared, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.
World English BibleHe said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd He said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath,
Berean Literal BibleAnd He said to them, "The Sabbath was made on account of the man, and not the man on account of the Sabbath.
Young's Literal Translation And he said to them, 'The sabbath for man was made, not man for the sabbath,
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd he said to them, The sabbath was for man, and not man for the sabbath: Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd he said to them: The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath.
Catholic Public Domain VersionAnd he said to them: “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.
New American BibleThen he said to them, “The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath.
New Revised Standard VersionThen he said to them, “The sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the sabbath; Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd he said to them, The sabbath was created for the sake of man, and not man for the sake of the sabbath.
Aramaic Bible in Plain EnglishAnd he said to them, “The Sabbath was created for the sake of man and not man for the sake of the Sabbath.” NT Translations Anderson New TestamentAnd he said to them: The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath.
Godbey New TestamentAnd He said to them, The Sabbath was made for the sake of man, and not man for the sake of the Sabbath.
Haweis New Testament
And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath.
Mace New Testament
adding this observation, "the sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath."
Weymouth New Testament
And Jesus said to them: "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath;
Worrell New Testament
And He said to them,"The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath;
Worsley New Testament
And He saidmoreover unto them,The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath:
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The Lord of the Sabbath… 26During the high priesthood of Abiathar, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which was lawful only for the priests. And he gave some to his companions as well.” 27ThenJesus declared,“TheSabbathwas madeforman,notmanfortheSabbath.28Therefore, the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”…
Cross References Genesis 2:2-3And by the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on that day He rested from all His work. / Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because on that day He rested from all the work of creation that He had accomplished.
Exodus 20:8-11Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. / Six days you shall labor and do all your work, / but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God, on which you must not do any work—neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant or livestock, nor the foreigner within your gates. ...
Deuteronomy 5:12-15Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the LORD your God has commanded you. / Six days you shall labor and do all your work, / but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God, on which you must not do any work—neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your ox or donkey or any of your livestock, nor the foreigner within your gates, so that your manservant and maidservant may rest as you do. ...
Matthew 12:8For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”
Luke 6:5Then Jesus declared, “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”
Hebrews 4:9-10There remains, then, a Sabbath rest for the people of God. / For whoever enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His.
Isaiah 58:13-14If you turn your foot from breaking the Sabbath, from doing as you please on My holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight, and the LORD’s holy day honorable, if you honor it by not going your own way or seeking your own pleasure or speaking idle words, / then you will delight yourself in the LORD, and I will make you ride on the heights of the land and feed you with the heritage of your father Jacob.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.
Nehemiah 9:14You revealed to them Your holy Sabbath and gave them commandments and statutes and laws through Your servant Moses.
Colossians 2:16-17Therefore let no one judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a feast, a New Moon, or a Sabbath. / These are a shadow of the things to come, but the body that casts it belongs to Christ.
Ezekiel 20:12I also gave them My Sabbaths as a sign between us, so that they would know that I am the LORD who sanctifies them.
Exodus 31:13“Tell the Israelites, ‘Surely you must keep My Sabbaths, for this will be a sign between Me and you for the generations to come, so that you may know that I am the LORD who sanctifies you.
Leviticus 23:3For six days work may be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of complete rest, a day of sacred assembly. You must not do any work; wherever you live, it is a Sabbath to the LORD.
Numbers 15:32-36While the Israelites were in the wilderness, a man was found gathering wood on the Sabbath day. / Those who found the man gathering wood brought him to Moses, Aaron, and the whole congregation, / and because it had not been declared what should be done to him, they placed him in custody. ...
John 5:16-18Now because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jews began to persecute Him. / But Jesus answered them, “To this very day My Father is at His work, and I too am working.” / Because of this, the Jews tried all the harder to kill Him. Not only was He breaking the Sabbath, but He was even calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God.
Matthew 11:28-30Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. / Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. / For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Treasury of Scripture And he said to them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: 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. Deuteronomy 5:14 But the seventh dayis 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 thatis within thy gates; that thy manservant and thy maidservant may rest as well as thou. Nehemiah 9:13,14 Thou camest down also upon mount Sinai, and spakest with them from heaven, and gavest them right judgments, and true laws, good statutes and commandments: … Jump to Previous AccountJesusSabbathJump to Next AccountJesusSabbathMark 2 1.Jesus followed by multitudes,3.heals a paralytic;13.calls Matthew;15.eats with tax collectors and sinners;18.excuses his disciples for not fasting;23.and for picking the heads of grain on the Sabbath day.Then Jesus declaredThis phrase indicates a direct statement from Jesus, emphasizing the authority and importance of His words. In the context of Mark 2, Jesus is addressing the Pharisees, who were questioning His disciples' actions on the Sabbath. This declaration is part of a larger narrative where Jesus is redefining the understanding of the law and its purpose. Jesus often used such declarations to challenge prevailing interpretations and to reveal deeper spiritual truths. The Sabbath was made for man
The Sabbath, instituted inGenesis 2:2-3, was a day of rest following God's creation work. It was given as a gift to humanity, a time for rest and spiritual renewal. InExodus 20:8-11, the Sabbath is part of the Ten Commandments, underscoring its importance. The phrase highlights that the Sabbath was intended to benefit humanity, providing rest and a reminder of God's provision and care. It was not meant to be a burden but a blessing, reflecting God's compassion and understanding of human needs. not man for the Sabbath
This part of the statement corrects the Pharisaic interpretation that had turned the Sabbath into a legalistic burden. By Jesus' time, numerous additional rules had been added to the Sabbath observance, making it a heavy yoke rather than a day of rest. Jesus is emphasizing that human needs and well-being are more important than strict adherence to man-made rules. This aligns with the broader biblical theme that God desires mercy and compassion over sacrifice (Hosea 6:6,Matthew 12:7). Jesus, as Lord of the Sabbath (Mark 2:28), has the authority to interpret its true purpose, pointing to His divine nature and mission to fulfill the law (Matthew 5:17). Persons / Places / Events 1. JesusThe central figure in this passage, Jesus is teaching about the purpose of the Sabbath, emphasizing its role in serving humanity rather than being a burdensome obligation. 2. PhariseesReligious leaders who often challenged Jesus, particularly regarding the observance of the Sabbath. They are not directly mentioned in this verse but are part of the broader context of the passage. 3. SabbathA day of rest instituted by God, observed from Friday evening to Saturday evening, meant to be a time of rest and worship. 4. DisciplesFollowers of Jesus who were involved in the event leading up to this teaching, as they were picking grain on the Sabbath, which prompted the discussion. 5. Fields of GrainThe setting where the disciples were picking grain, leading to the Pharisees' challenge and Jesus' teaching. Teaching Points Purpose of the SabbathThe Sabbath is a gift from God intended for human benefit, providing rest and spiritual renewal. It should not be a legalistic burden but a time to focus on God and refreshment. Human Need Over RitualJesus emphasizes that human need and well-being take precedence over strict ritual observance. This principle can guide us in prioritizing compassion and mercy in our lives. Freedom in ChristBelievers are called to live in the freedom Christ provides, understanding that the Sabbath, like other laws, points to a deeper relationship with God rather than mere rule-following. Balance of Rest and WorkIn a busy world, the principle of the Sabbath reminds us of the importance of balancing work with rest, ensuring we take time to recharge physically and spiritually. Legalism vs. GraceThis passage challenges us to examine areas where we might be legalistic, encouraging us to embrace the grace and freedom found in Christ. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Mark 2:27?
2.How does Mark 2:27 emphasize the purpose of the Sabbath for man?
3.What does "Sabbath was made for man" reveal about God's care for humanity?
4.How can we apply the principle of rest in our weekly routines?
5.In what ways does Mark 2:27 connect to Genesis 2:2-3 about rest?
6.How can understanding Mark 2:27 improve our observance of the Sabbath today?
7.What does "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath" mean in Mark 2:27?
8.How does Mark 2:27 challenge traditional views on Sabbath observance?
9.Why did Jesus emphasize the purpose of the Sabbath in Mark 2:27?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Mark 2?
11.What does "Lord of the Sabbath" mean?
12.What does "Sabbath made for man" signify?
13.What does 'Sabbath made for man' signify?
14.How should we honor the Sabbath day?What Does Mark 2:27 Mean Then Jesus declared- The scene is a tense exchange: Pharisees condemn the disciples for plucking grain on the Sabbath (Mark 2:23–24). Jesus responds, and the word “declared” marks a public, authoritative pronouncement. - This fits His pattern of speaking “as one who had authority” (Matthew 7:29) and asserting lordship over the Sabbath moments later: “So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath” (Mark 2:28). - By beginning with a declaration, Jesus positions Himself—not tradition—as the reliable interpreter of God’s Law (cf.John 5:22–23;Luke 6:5).
The Sabbath was made for man- “Was made” points back to creation week: “God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it” (Genesis 2:3). Before sin entered the world, rest was woven into human life. - Sabbath is therefore a gracious gift. Its purposes include: • Physical renewal (Exodus 23:12). • Spiritual focus—“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy” (Exodus 20:8). • Social compassion, extending rest to servants and even animals (Deuteronomy 5:14). - Jesus’ healings on Sabbaths (e.g.,Luke 13:10–17) underline that the day is meant to bless people, not burden them.
Not man for the Sabbath- The religious leaders had inverted God’s order, piling on regulations that “tie up heavy, cumbersome loads” (Matthew 23:4). - Jesus exposes that inversion: people are not created to serve a day; the day serves people. - Misusing Sabbath law to condemn mercy contradicts prophetic rebukes likeIsaiah 58:13–14, where God prizes heartfelt obedience over ritual formalism. - The principle echoes Paul’s warning against legalistic observance: “Let no one judge you…in regard to a Sabbath” (Colossians 2:16).
summaryMark 2:27 teaches that Sabbath is God’s tender provision for human good, established at creation and affirmed by Christ. Jesus’ authoritative declaration rescues the day from legalistic distortion, reminding us that God’s commands promote life, rest, and freedom rather than bondage. Verse 27. - The sabbath was instituted for the benefit of man, that he might refresh and renew his body, fatigued and worn by six days' labour, with the restful calm of the seventh; and that he might have leisure to apply his mind to the things which concern his everlasting salvation; to consider and meditate upon the Law of God; and rouse himself, by the remembrance of the Divine greatness and goodness, to true repentance, to gratitude, and to love. The force of the argument is this: The sabbath was made on account of man, not man on account of the sabbath. The sabbath, great and important as that institution is, is subordinate to man. If, then, the absolute rest of the sabbath becomes hurtful to man, a new departure must be taken, and some amount of labour must be undergone, that man may be benefited. Therefore was Christ justified in permitting to his disciples a little labour in plucking these ears of corn on the sabbath day, in order that they may appease their hunger. For it is better that the rest of the sabbath should be disturbed, though but a little, than that any one of those for whose sake the sabbath was instituted should perish.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek ThenΚαὶ(Kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.[Jesus] toldἔλεγεν(elegen)Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2036:Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.them,αὐτοῖς(autois)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.“TheΤὸ(To)Article - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.Sabbathσάββατον(sabbaton)Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4521:The Sabbath, a week.was madeἐγένετο(egeneto)Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1096:A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.forδιὰ(dia)Preposition
Strong's 1223:A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.man,ἄνθρωπον(anthrōpon)Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 444:A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.notοὐχ(ouch)Adverb
Strong's 3756:No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.manἄνθρωπος(anthrōpos)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 444:A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.forδιὰ(dia)Preposition
Strong's 1223:A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.theτὸ(to)Article - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.Sabbath.σάββατον(sabbaton)Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4521:The Sabbath, a week.
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NT Gospels: Mark 2:27 He said to them The Sabbath was (Mar Mk Mr) |
