Lord of the Sabbath and Caller of the Twelve (Mark 2:23-3:19)
Sometimes we picture Jesus as a quiet teacher who gently went about His work. But in reality, He often challenged people’s expectations—especially when it came to religious rules and what it meant to follow God. In this part of the Gospel of Mark, we see Jesus doing exactly that.
Let’s take a closer look at this powerful passage and what it means for us today.
Picking Grain and Pushing Boundaries
One day, Jesus and His disciples were walking through some grainfields. As they walked, the disciples began to pick heads of grain to eat. It was the Sabbath—a day meant for rest—and some religious leaders quickly pointed out that this was “work,” and therefore not allowed.
But Jesus didn’t agree with their strict view of the Sabbath. He reminded them of a story where King David and his men, when hungry, ate special bread meant only for priests. In other words, human need took priority over ritual rules.
Then He said something even more surprising: “The Sabbath was made for people, not people for the Sabbath.” And finally, He made a bold statement: “The Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”
This wasn’t just about picking grain. It was about who had the authority to interpret God’s commands. Jesus was making it clear: He had that authority.
Healing a Withered Hand
Right after that, Jesus went into a synagogue—a place of worship. A man with a shriveled hand was there, and once again, the religious leaders were watching closely. Would Jesus heal on the Sabbath?
Jesus asked a simple but powerful question: “Is it right to do good or harm on the Sabbath? To save life or to destroy it?” The leaders stayed silent.
Jesus was deeply saddened by their hard hearts. In front of everyone, He told the man to stretch out his hand—and it was healed.
Rather than celebrating the miracle, the religious leaders were furious. They began plotting with others to find a way to get rid of Jesus.
The Crowds Keep Coming
Despite the growing opposition, Jesus’ popularity continued to grow. People came from far and wide just to see Him. They had heard about His miracles and healing power, and many hoped to be healed themselves.
Wherever He went, people crowded around Him. Some were sick. Others were possessed by evil spirits. Even the demons recognized Jesus and called Him the Son of God—but He told them to be quiet. It wasn’t time yet for everyone to fully understand who He was.
Choosing the Twelve
At this point in His ministry, Jesus took a quiet moment to go up a mountain. There, He called twelve men to join Him in a special way.
He chose them to be His closest followers—His disciples. Their job was threefold:
- To be with Him – to learn from His life and teaching.
- To be sent out to preach – to share His message with others.
- To have authority to drive out demons – to carry out God’s work in powerful ways.
Each one was called by name, including Judas Iscariot, who would later betray Him. But for now, this group marked the beginning of a mission that would one day spread around the world.
What This Means for Us
This passage gives us a lot to think about. Here are a few questions to reflect on:
- Are we more focused on rules or on people? The religious leaders were so caught up in the rules that they missed the heart of God—mercy, healing, and love.
- Do we have hard hearts? Jesus was grieved when people refused to see the good He was doing. Do we ever resist God’s work because it doesn’t fit our expectations?
- Why are we following Jesus? The crowds came for healing, but Jesus wanted more than fans—He wanted followers who would walk with Him and live out His message.
- Are we ready to be sent? Just like the twelve disciples, we’re called not just to believe, but to go—sharing Jesus’ love, truth, and healing with others.
Final Thoughts
Jesus didn’t just come to fix broken bodies—He came to challenge broken systems and call people to a new way of life. In this short passage, we see Him stand up to religious pressure, heal with compassion, and begin forming a group that would carry His message forward.
The question now is: how will we respond? Will we be part of the crowd, or part of the mission?
Mark 2:23-3:19 (WEB)
2:23 He was going on the Sabbath day through the grain fields; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of grain. 24 The Pharisees said to him, “Behold, why do they do that which is not lawful on the Sabbath day?”25 He said to them, “Did you never read what David did when he had need and was hungry—he, and those who were with him? 26 How he entered into God’s house at the time of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the show bread, which is not lawful to eat except for the priests, and gave also to those who were with him?”27 He said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 28 Therefore the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.”3:1 He entered again into the synagogue, and there was a man there whose hand was withered. 2 They watched him, whether he would heal him on the Sabbath day, that they might accuse him. 3 He said to the man whose hand was withered, “Stand up.” 4 He said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath day to do good or to do harm? To save a life or to kill?” But they were silent. 5 When he had looked around at them with anger, being grieved at the hardening of their hearts, he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored as healthy as the other. 6 The Pharisees went out, and immediately conspired with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him.7 Jesus withdrew to the sea with his disciples; and a great multitude followed him from Galilee, from Judea, 8 from Jerusalem, from Idumaea, beyond the Jordan, and those from around Tyre and Sidon. A great multitude, hearing what great things he did, came to him. 9 He spoke to his disciples that a little boat should stay near him because of the crowd, so that they wouldn’t press on him. 10 For he had healed many, so that as many as had diseases pressed on him that they might touch him. 11 The unclean spirits, whenever they saw him, fell down before him and cried, “You are the Son of God!” 12 He sternly warned them that they should not make him known.13 He went up into the mountain and called to himself those whom he wanted, and they went to him. 14 He appointed twelve, that they might be with him, and that he might send them out to preach 15 and to have authority to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons: 16 Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); 17 James the son of Zebedee; and John, the brother of James, (whom he called Boanerges, which means, Sons of Thunder); 18 Andrew; Philip; Bartholomew; Matthew; Thomas; James, the son of Alphaeus; Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot; 19 and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.Then he came into a house.