Mark 2:27
And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 15
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἔλεγεν
he said
G3004
ἔλεγεν
he said
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
2 of 15
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
αὐτοῖς
unto them
G846
αὐτοῖς
unto them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 15
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
Τὸ
G3588
Τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σάββατον·
The sabbath
G4521
σάββατον·
The sabbath
Strong's:
G4521
Word #:
5 of 15
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
for
G1223
διὰ
for
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
6 of 15
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐγένετο
was made
G1096
ἐγένετο
was made
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
9 of 15
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
οὐχ
and not
G3756
οὐχ
and not
Strong's:
G3756
Word #:
10 of 15
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
διὰ
for
G1223
διὰ
for
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
13 of 15
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
Cross References
Colossians 2:16Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:Deuteronomy 5:14But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; that thy manservant and thy maidservant may rest as well as thou.Luke 6:9Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?Isaiah 58:13If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:Ezekiel 20:12Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the LORD that sanctify them.Ezekiel 20:20And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the LORD your God.Exodus 23:12Six days thou shalt do thy work, and on the seventh day thou shalt rest: that thine ox and thine ass may rest, and the son of thy handmaid, and the stranger, may be refreshed.John 7:23If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day?
Historical Context
Genesis 2:2-3 establishes Sabbath at creation. Exodus 20:8-11 commands Sabbath observance, commemorating creation. Deuteronomy 5:12-15 adds exodus motivation—remembering deliverance from slavery's ceaseless labor. By Jesus' time, 1,521 Sabbath regulations existed, transforming gift into burden. Early Christians met on Sunday, honoring resurrection. Sabbath principles remain (work-rest rhythm, worship priority), but Christian liberty governs application.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you view God's commands—as burdensome restrictions or loving gifts for your flourishing?
- In what ways do you rest in Christ's finished work rather than striving to earn favor?
- What does this principle reveal about God's heart and the purpose of His law?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Jesus states a foundational principle: 'The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath.' This revolutionizes Sabbath understanding. The verb 'was made' (ἐγένετο) indicates creation/institution—God designed Sabbath as gift to humanity. The prepositional phrase 'for man' expresses purpose—Sabbath exists to benefit humanity, not burden it. God instituted Sabbath rest as blessing: physical refreshment, spiritual renewal, worship opportunity. The Pharisees inverted this relationship, making humanity exist to serve Sabbath regulations. Jesus reclaims Sabbath's original purpose. Reformed theology applies this: all God's commands exist for human flourishing and God's glory.