Mark 2

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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?

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?

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,)

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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?

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.

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?

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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?

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?

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

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

What does Mark 2:24 mean?

Explanation

Mark 2:24 captures a confrontation between Jesus and the Pharisees concerning the observance of the Sabbath.

In this verse, the Pharisees are questioning Jesus because His disciples were plucking heads of grain on the Sabbath, an act they regarded as work.

According to Jewish law, various forms of work were strictly forbidden on the Sabbath.

The Pharisees, who were strict adherents to the law, saw this action as a violation of the fourth commandment (Exodus 20:8-11).

However, Jesus challenges their understanding of the Sabbath law, arguing for a more humane and need-based interpretation over a strict legalistic one.

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Historical Context

This event took place in a period when Jewish religious life was dominated by the Pharisees and the Sadducees, two sects with different interpretations of the Mosaic Law.

The Pharisees had a very rigid approach to the law, often expanding upon it with additional rules and regulations known as the Oral Torah.

The Sabbath, the seventh day of the week, had a central place in Jewish life as a day of rest and worship.

This historical context sets the stage for the controversy described in Mark 2:24.

Theological Insights

The Pharisees viewed the law as an end in itself, while Jesus taught that the law was meant to serve humanity, not the other way around. This controversy highlights differing theological perspectives on the nature of the law:

Pharisaic View: Obedience to the law is central to righteousness and maintaining a relationship with God.
Christian View: In light of Jesus’ teachings, the spirit of the law takes precedence over the letter of the law, emphasizing compassion and mercy.

Practical Applications

The teachings of this verse can be translated into modern life in several ways:

Balance: Encouraging a balanced approach to religious observance that considers human needs and situational ethics.
Compassion: Prioritizing acts of compassion and mercy over rigid adherence to rules or rituals.
Rest: Emphasizing that rest, as exemplified by the Sabbath, is a gift meant for the well-being of people, not a legalistic burden.

Cross-References

Exodus 20:8-11: "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy."
Matthew 12:1-8: Jesus discusses the Sabbath and says, "But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless."
Hosea 6:6: "For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings."

Language Study

Important words/phrases from the original Greek that offer further insight include:

"Sabbath" (Σάββατον, Sabbaton): Refers to the seventh day designated for rest and worship.
"Not lawful" (οὐκ ἔξεστιν, ouk exestin): Literally translates to "it is not lawful" or "it is not allowed," implying a prohibition under the Jewish law.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In comparing this account to other ancient myths and religious interpretations:

Ancient cultures often had days set aside for rest or worshipping gods, but the Jewish Sabbath is unique in its strict cessation of work.
In Hinduism, the concept of Dharma might reflect a balance between strict adherence to religious laws and the needs of life, similar to Jesus’ perspective on the Sabbath.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientifically, the concept of a weekly day of rest aligns with modern understandings of the necessity of rest for human physical and mental health.

While the original commandment was not based on scientific reasoning, its observance may coincide with benefits observed in contemporary research on circadian rhythms and stress reduction.

Commentaries

Commentaries on Mark 2:24 provide a range of perspectives:

Traditional commentators highlight the dispute between Jesus and the religious authorities of his time, emphasizing how Jesus puts human needs above legalistic interpretations of the law.
Contemporary scholars often discuss the historical and cultural settings that shaped the Pharisees’ views on the Sabbath.
Some theologians focus on the idea that Jesus' response indicates a messianic authority over Sabbath observances.

Mark 2

Mark 2

What does Mark 2:24 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Mark Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Mark 2:24 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Mark Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?