Mark 2 27

Mark 2:27 kjv

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

Mark 2:27 nkjv

And He said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.

Mark 2:27 niv

Then he said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.

Mark 2:27 esv

And he said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.

Mark 2:27 nlt

Then Jesus said to them, "The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath.

Mark 2 verses

Mark 2 27 Meaning

This profound statement by Jesus redefines the purpose of the Sabbath. He asserts that the Sabbath was instituted by God as a beneficial provision for the well-being and rest of humanity, not as a restrictive set of burdensome rules to which humanity must slavishly conform. It emphasizes the benevolent intent behind divine law, ensuring that God's commands serve human flourishing rather than hinder it, thus prioritizing human need over rigid ritualism.

Mark 2 27 Context

This statement is delivered during a controversy between Jesus and the Pharisees regarding Sabbath observance. Jesus' disciples were plucking heads of grain to eat as they passed through a field on the Sabbath, an action deemed unlawful by the Pharisees because it resembled harvesting (work). This incident, recorded in Mark 2:23-28 (and parallel passages in Matthew and Luke), immediately follows discussions about fasting and associating with sinners, both challenging Pharisaic traditions.Historically, by the first century, the Mosaic Law concerning the Sabbath had been heavily overlaid with elaborate oral traditions and interpretations (Halakha), leading to an intricate system of prohibitions concerning "work" on the Sabbath. This oral law, upheld by the Pharisees, often lost sight of the Sabbath's original, divine intent, transforming it from a gift of rest into an oppressive obligation. Jesus' words here are a direct challenge to this legalistic understanding, positioning His interpretation (and His disciples' actions) in line with God's original compassionate design. His statement directly criticizes the Pharisaic prioritization of their man-made regulations over human well-being and the spirit of God's law.

Mark 2 27 Word analysis

• And he said: The opening conjunction ("And" - kai) links this statement directly to the preceding exchange, indicating Jesus' definitive conclusion or teaching in response to the Pharisees' accusation.
• to them: Refers to the Pharisees who challenged Jesus regarding his disciples' actions. This signifies that Jesus is addressing the root of their misunderstanding directly.
• The Sabbath (Greek: to Sábbaton - τὸ Σάββατον): Derived from the Hebrew Shabbat, meaning "cessation" or "rest." It refers to the seventh day, designated by God for rest and sanctification, dating back to creation (Gen 2:2-3) and codified in the Ten Commandments (Ex 20:8). It was a key distinctive sign for Israel.
• was made (Greek: egnēthē - ἐγενήθη): Aorist passive indicative of ginomai (γίνομαι), meaning "came into being," "became," "originated," or "created for a purpose." It implies an intentional establishment or formation, underscoring that the Sabbath came into existence with a specific design or function.
• for man (Greek: dia ton anthrōpon - διὰ τὸν ἄνθρωπον): The preposition dia with the accusative case here means "on account of," "for the sake of," or "for the benefit of." Anthrōpon refers to "humanity" or "people" in general. This phrase clearly states that the Sabbath's very purpose is to serve humanity's well-being.
• not man (Greek: ouch ho anthrōpos - οὐχ ὁ ἄνθρωπος): ouch is a strong negation, emphasizing a complete reversal of the Pharisees' perspective. The article ho indicates "the man," emphasizing that it is humanity as a whole, not just an individual.
• for the Sabbath (Greek: dia to Sábbaton - διὰ τὸ Σάββατον): This echoes the previous construction, but reverses the roles. It means humanity did not come into existence or was not subjected for the sake of the Sabbath. Humanity's purpose is not to simply exist to fulfill the Sabbath rules.

Words-group analysis:

• "The Sabbath was made for man": This phrase highlights divine benevolence. God's institutions are always designed for the ultimate good and flourishing of His creation. The Sabbath was intended to provide physical rest, spiritual refreshment, and time for worship, thus serving humanity's holistic needs. It underscores God's compassion and desire for humanity's welfare.
• "not man for the Sabbath": This powerful antithetical statement serves as a polemic against the legalism prevalent in first-century Judaism. It decisively rejects any system that places institutional rules or religious observances above the genuine needs and value of human beings. Man is not a slave to the law; rather, the law is designed to serve man within God's greater purposes. This establishes a hierarchy of values where the well-being of the person created in God's image is paramount, challenging external adherence without internal transformation or purpose.

Mark 2 27 Bonus section

This statement also paves the way for the subsequent declaration in Mark 2:28, "So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath." Jesus, by affirming that the Sabbath serves man, simultaneously asserts His ultimate authority to interpret and rightly apply its meaning. He is not abrogating the Sabbath but re-establishing its true purpose as originally intended by God and demonstrating His mastery over all created ordinances, as their creator and interpreter. This challenges not only the Pharisees' specific interpretations but their very authority to legislate on divine matters, asserting His unique messianic status and wisdom.

Mark 2 27 Commentary

Mark 2:27 encapsulates a foundational principle of God's law and Jesus' ministry. It declares that God's laws, including the Sabbath, are given out of divine love and designed for humanity's ultimate good, rather than as an end in themselves. Jesus challenges the Pharisaic mindset that had inverted this purpose, turning the Sabbath from a gift into a burdensome legalistic requirement. He clarifies that God's intent was always benevolent: to provide rest, freedom, and time for reflection and worship, promoting human flourishing. This verse serves as a crucial hermeneutical key, asserting that divine regulations are fundamentally about people, reminding us to approach religious observances with compassion and prioritize mercy over rigid adherence to man-made traditions.

• Example: If a ritual practice hinders true worship or harms an individual's well-being (e.g., denying essential care for the sick due to a rigid interpretation of "work"), it deviates from God's loving intent.
• Example: Celebrating holidays should bring joy and fellowship, not stress over overly strict regulations that overshadow the celebratory purpose.