Mark 2 28

Mark 2:28 kjv

Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.

Mark 2:28 nkjv

Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath."

Mark 2:28 niv

So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath."

Mark 2:28 esv

So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath."

Mark 2:28 nlt

So the Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath!"

Mark 2 verses

Mark 2 28 Meaning

Mark 2:28 asserts Jesus' ultimate authority over the Sabbath, declaring that as the Son of Man, He is not bound by rigid interpretations of its laws but possesses the prerogative to define and permit its proper observance. This statement climaxes the preceding debate, positioning Jesus as the authoritative interpreter and master of the Sabbath, restoring its original intent as a day of rest and human benefit, rather than a burden.

Mark 2 28 Context

This verse is the culmination of a significant confrontation in Mark 2 (and parallel accounts in Matthew and Luke) between Jesus and the Pharisees regarding the observance of the Sabbath. In the immediate context (Mark 2:23-26), Jesus' disciples are accused of "working" on the Sabbath by plucking heads of grain to eat. Jesus defends them by referencing King David's actions of eating consecrated bread (1 Sam 21:1-6), which was technically unlawful but permissible in times of necessity, and the priests working in the temple on the Sabbath.

He then broadens the principle by stating, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath" (Mark 2:27). This declaration fundamentally reorients the purpose of the Sabbath from a restrictive set of rules to a gift designed for human benefit and welfare. Mark 2:28 then serves as the profound, conclusive statement, establishing why Jesus has the authority to make such a reinterpretation. The Pharisees, devout adherents of the Oral Law, had meticulously elaborated rules for Sabbath keeping, often to the point where the spirit of the law, which prioritized rest and blessing, was overshadowed by burdensome prohibitions. This passage highlights the tension between a legalistic understanding of God's law and Jesus' emphasis on its spirit and purpose, particularly compassion and well-being.

Mark 2 28 Word analysis

• So (ὥστε, hoste): "Therefore," or "with the result that." This Greek conjunction strongly connects this climactic statement as a logical consequence derived from Jesus' previous arguments (David's action, the priests' temple work, and the Sabbath's purpose for man).
• the Son of Man (ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου, ho huios tou anthrōpou): This is Jesus' most frequent self-designation. It carries dual significance:
  • It speaks of His true humanity, identifying with mankind.
  • Crucially, it references the exalted, authoritative, and divine figure described in Daniel 7:13-14, who receives eternal dominion and glory. By using this title, Jesus subtly yet powerfully claims ultimate, transcendental authority, including over a sacred institution like the Sabbath, without directly invoking potentially politically charged terms like "Messiah."
• is (ἐστίν, estin): A simple "to be" verb, yet conveying inherent nature and position. It signifies a continuous, fundamental truth about the Son of Man's identity and authority.
• Lord (κύριος, kyrios): Meaning "master," "owner," or "supreme authority." This term, often used for God in the Greek Old Testament (Septuagint) as well as for a human master, here signifies ultimate sovereign control and jurisdiction. Jesus claims a divine prerogative.
• even (καί, kai): While often meaning "and," here it functions as an intensifier, translating to "even," "also," or "indeed." It stresses that Jesus' authority extends specifically and strikingly over the Sabbath, which was a core and most revered commandment for the Jewish people. This highlights the radical nature of His claim.
• of the Sabbath (τοῦ σαββάτου, tou sabbatou): Refers to the seventh day, a holy day of rest. Originating from creation (Gen 2:2-3) and becoming a foundational sign of the covenant with Israel (Exod 31:13-17). The Pharisees' strict interpretation of "work" often burdened the people and eclipsed its true benevolent purpose. Jesus asserts His authority to redefine and apply this sacred law according to God's original intention.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "So the Son of Man": Directly links the profound Christological claim to the practical defense of the disciples, asserting that Jesus' unique identity is the basis for His authority over sacred law. It signals a shift from contextual arguments to an argument from His inherent nature.
• "is Lord even of the Sabbath": This phrase encapsulates Jesus' ultimate claim. It signifies His absolute mastery, ownership, and interpretative authority over the very day which religious leaders considered immutable and their exclusive domain to govern. It declares that divine authority has come, superior to all traditional religious strictures, specifically to demonstrate God's loving and liberating intent behind the Sabbath law.

Mark 2 28 Bonus section

• Jesus did not abolish the Sabbath but restored its original spirit. His disputes with the Pharisees were not about eliminating a day of rest, but about correcting distorted, man-made rules that overshadowed God's merciful intent. The emphasis shifts from burdensome rules to freedom and life.
• This verse underpins Christian understanding of the transition from Old Covenant Law to New Covenant grace. While the principle of a day set aside for rest and worship remains beneficial, the strict legalistic adherence to the Mosaic Sabbath, as interpreted by Jewish authorities, is superseded by Christ's Lordship and the freedom found in Him.
• The phrase "Son of Man" also connects Jesus to humanity, indicating that it is through His perfect humanity and sacrificial life that He fulfills and perfectly exemplifies God's Law. His Lordship over the Sabbath is intertwined with His ultimate act of compassion—His atoning death for humanity.
• The controversies over the Sabbath set Jesus on a collision course with the religious establishment, as His claims directly undermined their authority and interpretations of divine law. These disputes were critical in escalating the tension that eventually led to His crucifixion.

Mark 2 28 Commentary

Mark 2:28 is a cornerstone declaration by Jesus, affirming His supreme authority and challenging the rigid legalism prevalent in His time. The preceding context saw the Pharisees critique Jesus' disciples for an act of seemingly innocent necessity—plucking grain to eat—which they deemed a violation of the Sabbath's labor prohibitions. Jesus initially defends them by appealing to Old Testament precedents where human need (David's hunger) or priestly duties superseded strict ceremonial law. He then provides the fundamental principle that "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath" (Mark 2:27). This radical reorientation shifts the focus from slavish adherence to human traditions about the law to the benevolent purpose behind the law itself.

Mark 2:28 culminates this argument, solidifying Jesus' right to pronounce such reinterpretation. By calling Himself "the Son of Man," Jesus alludes to the divinely appointed, sovereign figure from Daniel's prophecy (Dan 7:13-14), signifying His ultimate power and authority as the unique, heaven-sent agent of God's will. To be "Lord even of the Sabbath" means Jesus is the supreme authority over this most sacred institution of the Old Covenant. He is not merely interpreting the law; He stands above it as its author and true fulfiller. He possesses the authority to declare what constitutes proper Sabbath observance, freeing it from the burdens of Pharisaic traditions and restoring it to its original intention: a day for rest, worship, acts of mercy, and doing good for human flourishing. This assertion reveals His divine nature and foreshadows His fulfillment of the entire Law, moving beyond external ritual to internal righteousness and compassion.