Mark 2:27

Commentary on Mark 2:27

1. The Text

Mark 2:27 (King James Version):
“And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath.”

This short but profound statement sits within a larger conflict narrative between Jesus and the Pharisees regarding the nature and purpose of the Sabbath. To understand it properly, we must consider the wider context of Mark chapter 2.

2. Context of Mark Chapter 2

Mark chapter 2[i] records a series of escalating confrontations between Jesus and the religious leaders. These confrontations revolve around Jesus’ authority and the nature of true obedience to God.

Key moments include:

2.1 Jesus forgives and heals the paralysed man

Mark 2:5 (King James Version):
“When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.”

This event reveals Jesus’ divine authority to forgive sins.

2.2 Jesus calls Levi and eats with sinners

Mark 2:17 (King James Version):
“They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

This shows Jesus’ mission to restore the broken.

2.3 The question about fasting

Mark 2:19 (King James Version):
“And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them?”

Jesus reveals that His presence changes the nature of religious practice.

2.4 The Sabbath controversy

The chapter ends with a dispute about the disciples plucking grain on the Sabbath. The Pharisees accuse them of breaking Sabbath law. Jesus responds with Scripture and then gives the climactic statement of Mark 2:27.

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3. Exegetical Commentary on Mark 2:27

3.1 “The sabbath was made for man”

Jesus affirms that the Sabbath is a gift, not a burden. It was instituted by God for the good of humanity.

This echoes the creation account:

Genesis 2:3 (King James Version):
“And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.”

The Sabbath is rooted in God’s own rest. It is meant to provide:

• Rest for the body
• Renewal for the soul
• Space for worship
• A reminder of God’s provision
• A sign of covenant identity (later in Israel’s history)

In Christian theology, the Sabbath principle continues as the Lord’s Day, grounded in Christ’s resurrection and the pattern of creation.

3.2 “And not man for the sabbath”

Jesus corrects the Pharisees’ distortion. They had turned the Sabbath into a system of rules that overshadowed its purpose. Instead of serving people, the Sabbath had become a master that demanded obedience to human traditions.

Jesus is not abolishing the Sabbath. He is restoring it to its proper meaning.

3.3 The Christological climax

The next verse completes the thought:

Mark 2:28 (King James Version):
“Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.”

Jesus is not merely interpreting the Sabbath. He is declaring His authority over it. As the divine Son of Man, He determines its true meaning.

This is a claim of deity and lordship.

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4. Theological Insights

4.1 The Sabbath as a creation ordinance

Christian theology teaches that the Sabbath principle is woven into creation itself. It is not merely a Mosaic law. Jesus’ words affirm its ongoing relevance.

4.2 The Sabbath as a gift of grace

The Sabbath is not a test of spiritual performance. It is a weekly reminder that:

• We are creatures, not gods.
• We depend on God’s provision.
• Rest is part of God’s design.
• Worship is central to human flourishing.

4.3 Christ as the Lord of the Sabbath

Jesus fulfils the Sabbath by:

• Bringing true rest through His finished work
• Freeing believers from legalistic burdens
• Calling us into a rhythm of grace, worship, and rest

The Sabbath points to the gospel: rest in Christ, not in our works.

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5. Application to Modern Christian Living

5.1 Embrace rest as a spiritual discipline

Many live hurried, pressured lives. Jesus reminds us that rest is not laziness; it is obedience.

Ask yourself:

• Do I treat rest as a gift from God?
• Do I allow work, technology, or busyness to dominate my life?

5.2 Keep the Lord’s Day with joy, not legalism

The Lord’s Day is not a list of rules. It is a day for:

• Worship
• Fellowship
• Rest
• Mercy
• Delight in God

The Westminster Confession describes it as a day to “rest from our own works” and “delight in the Lord.”

5.3 Practise mercy

Jesus uses the example of David eating the consecrated bread (Mark 2:25–26) to show that mercy outweighs ritual.

On the Lord’s Day, acts of compassion are not violations; they are expressions of God’s heart.

5.4 Let Christ define your spiritual life

The Pharisees let tradition overshadow Scripture. Jesus calls us to let Him, not human rules, shape our faith.

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6. Meditation Guide

Use these steps for personal reflection or group study.

6.1 Read the passage slowly

Read Mark 2:23–28 aloud, including the King James Version text.

6.2 Reflect on God’s gift of rest

Ask:

• What does rest look like in my life?
• Do I resist rest because of pride, fear, or habit?

6.3 Consider Christ’s authority

Meditate on Jesus as “Lord of the sabbath.”
What areas of your life need to come under His lordship?

6.4 Pray for renewal

Ask God to restore a rhythm of worship, rest, and mercy in your life.

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[i] Mark 2

King James Version

2 And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house.

2 And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them.

3 And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.

4 And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.

5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.

6 But there was certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,

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

8 And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?

9 Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?

10 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)

11 I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.

12 And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.

13 And he went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them.

14 And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him.

15 And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him.

16 And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?

17 When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

18 And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not?

19 And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.

20 But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.

21 No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse.

22 And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles.

23 And it came to pass, that he went through the corn fields on the sabbath day; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn.

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

25 And he said unto them, Have ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungred, he, and they that were with him?

26 How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the shewbread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to them which were with him?

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

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