“Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.”– Mark 2:28 (KJV)
“So the Son of Man is Lord even over the Sabbath!”– Mark 2:28 (NLT)
“That’s why the Son of Man is no slave to the Sabbath. He’s in charge.”– Mark 2:28 (MSG)
What Does Mark 2:28 Mean?
In this powerful verse from the Gospel of Mark, we see Jesus asserting His authority over the Sabbath. When we think of the Sabbath, we often associate it with rest and a day set apart for worship. It’s crucial to recognize that the Sabbath was originally intended by God as a gift to humankind, a time for us to recharge, reflect, and reconnect with God.
However, during the time of Jesus, the religious leaders had added many rules and regulations that burdened the people. They had shifted the focus from enjoying the gift of rest to following strict rituals. Jesus, in saying that the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath, is declaring His authority over these burdensome laws. He is suggesting that He came to restore the original intent of the Sabbath, which is to be a blessing rather than a burden. Jesus emphasizes that He brings freedom and joy, and that the laws should not restrain our relationship with God.
Mark 2:28 Explanation and Commentary
Let us break down what it means for Jesus to be the Lord of the Sabbath. The title “Son of Man” refers to Jesus’ identity. He is fully divine and fully human. When Jesus calls Himself the Son of Man, He is also embodying the role that comes with redemption and authority. His lordship over the Sabbath indicates that He is in control of not just the Sabbath, but all of creation. This authority helps us understand that Jesus is the fulfillment of the law.
One key point we need to understand is that the Sabbath is a reminder of God’s creation. In Genesis 2:2, God rests on the seventh day after creating the world. This rest does not imply that He was tired, for God does not fatigue; rather, it establishes a rhythm for our lives. By claiming lordship over the Sabbath, Jesus reveals that He fulfills and surpasses the meaning of the Sabbath. He is the reason for our rest. A few verses earlier, in Mark 2:27, He said, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” This statement invites us into a deeper understanding of how God’s laws aim for our good and our relationship with Him.
Throughout His ministry, Jesus demonstrated that compassion and love are paramount over legalistic interpretations of the law. When His disciples picked grain to eat on the Sabbath, the Pharisees criticized them for violating the law, but Jesus defended them. He used this context to teach about the essence of the laws, showing that mercy and kindness take precedence. For example, Matthew 12:7 states, “But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless.” This highlights how Jesus invites us to focus on the heart of the law over mere obligation. As believers, we are called to show love to others, even on days set apart for worship.
As we reflect on our lives today, we can ask ourselves: Are we attending church and observing rest merely out of obligation, or do we truly savor the intimacy it provides with God? When we picture Jesus as the Lord of the Sabbath, we indeed see that He invites us into a relationship where our well-being is a priority. Rest is essential, but spiritual restoration is even more crucial, and Jesus provides the ultimate source for that through His life, death, and resurrection.
Context of Mark 2:28
Before this verse, we see a few significant encounters Jesus has with the religious leaders of His time. The backdrop is crucial in understanding the tension between tradition and Jesus’ new teaching. The Pharisees, a group known for exceedingly strict adherence to the Mosaic Law, are critical of Jesus and His followers. They see them as lawbreakers who don’t observe the Sabbath adequately.
Mark 2:23-27 describes an incident where the disciples were picking grain on the Sabbath. This act prompts the Pharisees to confront Jesus, questioning why His disciples violate the day of rest. Jesus then cites the biblical account of David eating the consecrated bread, illustrating how human need takes precedence over ritual law. This new perspective challenged the existing legalistic views and drew a clear line between the intent of God’s commandments and the man-made rules that had intertwined with them over centuries. By the time we reach Mark 2:28, the assertion that Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath has profound implications. He asserts that He has come to fulfill the law and reestablish proper understanding of the Sabbath. The invitation He offers to us aligns with God’s character of mercy and grace.
In a broader context, this confrontation with the Pharisees spotlights a central theme throughout the Gospels: the tension between the old covenant and the new covenant embodied by Jesus. He is paving the way for a new relationship with God that transcends the limitations of the law. This new path is filled with grace, enabling us to have a personal connection with God rather than being merely bound by rules.
This confrontation serves to remind us that Jesus came to set us free—from sin, from guilt, and yes, from the burdensome traditions that can sometimes cloud the purpose of our faith. We should carry this lesson close to our hearts so that we continue to focus on grace, understanding that our relationship with God is not built upon human effort or rigidity.
Breaking Down the Key Parts of Mark 2:28
When examining this verse, we can focus on the critical phrases that elevate its significance:
First, “the Son of Man” refers to Jesus. This phrase hearkens back to the prophetic words found in the book of Daniel 7:13-14 where the Son of Man approaches the Ancient of Days and receives authority, glory, and sovereign power. By referring to Himself this way, Jesus is aligning Himself with divine authority while also embracing His humanity, indicating that the work of salvation will be through both His divine power and His earthly experience.
Next, the term “Lord” is crucial. In the biblical context, calling someone “Lord” signifies authority and reverence. By declaring His lordship over the Sabbath, Jesus reveals that the laws regarding this day of rest were never intended to be a burden but a means of drawing closer to God. His authority is an invitation to embrace joy and freedom instead of merely following laws out of obligation.
The phrase “over the Sabbath” encompasses the very heart of the law. The Sabbath was meant to be a day for rest and reflection after six days of labor, a time for community, worship, and renewal of spirits. Yet, the Pharisees had turned it into a legalistic, controlling structure. Jesus reinterprets the meaning of the Sabbath, emphasizing its purpose as a day to glorify God and cultivate our relationship with Him through rest.
These key phrases help us recognize that Jesus came to set us free from the chains of the law in order that we may experience the true joy of being in a relationship with God. He invites us to enjoy the blessings that are found in Him, recognizing that every Sabbath moment spent in His presence is an opportunity for reflection, growth, and joy.
Lessons to Learn From Mark 2:28
As we reflect on Jesus’ proclamation, we can draw valuable lessons for our own lives. Here are a few important reminders:
First, we must prioritize our relationship with God over rigid adherence to rules. All too often, we can focus on rituals—attending church services, participating in Bible study, or taking part in community events—without ever truly engaging with God’s spirit. These practices are valuable, but they must facilitate our connection to God—they should not be the entirety of our faith. In the same way that Jesus reoriented the understanding of the Sabbath, we should examine our own practices to ensure they lead us closer to Him and not further away.
Next, Jesus’ lordship over the Sabbath reminds us that He desires mercy over sacrifice. The essence of our faith lies in compassion and love. When we engage with those around us, we should be forced to ask ourselves whether our actions reflect kindness and grace. This focus on love mirrors the greatest commandment from Matthew 22:37-39: loving God with all our heart and loving our neighbor as ourselves. As we embody love, we invite others into a life-changing relationship with Jesus.
Another essential lesson is the importance of rest. In our busy lives filled with work, responsibilities, and distractions, we must intentionally carve out time for rest and reflection. This isn’t just about physical rest; it is also spiritual renewal. Jesus teaches that we need moments to recharge and recenter ourselves so that we can continue to walk in our purpose with renewed strength.
Finally, we learn the freedom we have in Christ. Society can push us toward a performance-based faith, constantly reminding us that we must measure up to expectations. Jesus’ message in Mark 2:28 reminds us of our freedom from legalism. We should encourage one another in this pursuit, recognizing we are all on a journey toward greater understanding of grace. As we extend this freedom to others, we create an environment in which love flourishes.
Final Thoughts
Mark 2:28 provides a beautiful declaration of Jesus’ authority and His desire for us to live connected to Him, filled with grace and freedom rather than legalistic obligation. As we acknowledge Him as Lord over our lives, we find a new sense of purpose for our rest and an invitation to enrich our relationship with God.
Let us lean into that understanding of grace, reminding ourselves that we do not serve a God who is distant and demanding but one who deeply desires to walk alongside us through every moment of our lives. As we embrace this truth, let us encourage one another to pursue loving relationships and meaningful connections with God. If you’re interested in exploring more about the significance of rest and loving our neighbors, we encourage you to delve into Matthew 11 and see how this message is woven throughout Scripture.