Mark Chapter 2 · Verse 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.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐγένετο
it came to pass
G1096
ἐγένετο
it came to pass
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
2 of 20
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
αὐτοῦ
his
G846
αὐτοῦ
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
4 of 20
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σάββασιν
the sabbath day
G4521
σάββασιν
the sabbath day
Strong's:
G4521
Word #:
7 of 20
the sabbath (i.e., shabbath), or day of weekly repose from secular avocations (also the observance or institution itself); by extension, a se'nnight,
διὰ
through
G1223
διὰ
through
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
8 of 20
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σπορίμων
the corn fields
G4702
σπορίμων
the corn fields
Strong's:
G4702
Word #:
10 of 20
sown, i.e., (neuter plural) a planted field
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτοῦ
his
G846
αὐτοῦ
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
15 of 20
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὁδὸν
as they went
G3598
ὁδὸν
as they went
Strong's:
G3598
Word #:
16 of 20
a road; by implication, a progress (the route, act or distance); figuratively, a mode or means
ποιεῖν
G4160
ποιεῖν
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
17 of 20
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
Historical Context
The Sabbath commanded rest from work, commemorating creation rest and exodus deliverance. The fourth commandment prohibited work but didn't detail specific activities. Jewish tradition developed 39 categories of prohibited work, including harvesting—all arguably violated by plucking grain. Pharisees built 'fences around the law.' By Jesus' time, Sabbath observance had become burden rather than blessing. Early Christians transferred Sabbath principle to Sunday worship, emphasizing rest in Christ's finished work.
Questions for Reflection
- How do religious traditions sometimes obscure God's original intent in His commands?
- In what ways do you treat Sabbath rest legalistically rather than gratefully?
- How does understanding Christ as Lord of the Sabbath free you from legalistic bondage?
Analysis & Commentary
This verse introduces a Sabbath controversy: Jesus' disciples 'plucked the ears of corn' as they walked through grainfields on the Sabbath. The imperfect tense indicates ongoing action. Deuteronomy 23:25 permitted this, but Pharisaic tradition classified it as 'harvesting' and thus Sabbath-work violation. The disciples' action was legal concerning property rights but questionable concerning Sabbath observance according to oral tradition. Jesus permits this, implying that Sabbath law permits necessary provision. Reformed theology emphasizes that Christ is Lord of the Sabbath (v. 28), with authority to interpret its proper observance.