*Mark 2:23-3:19
Jesus defends his disciples picking grain on the Sabbath and heals a man with a withered hand, challenging religious rules and revealing his authority.
- Sabbath Controversy:
- Jesus and his disciples are walking through a grainfield on the Sabbath.
- Pharisees question why they’re picking grain, accusing them of breaking Sabbath laws.
- Jesus defends his disciples, citing David’s actions with the showbread in the temple.
- Jesus asserts his authority over the Sabbath, stating it is made for humanity, not the other way around.
- Healing on the Sabbath:
- Jesus enters a synagogue where a man with a withered hand is present.
- Pharisees watch closely to see if Jesus will heal on the Sabbath, intending to accuse him.
- Jesus asks if it is lawful to do good or harm on the Sabbath, then heals the man’s hand.
- Pharisees plot with the Herodians against Jesus.
- Crowds and Apostles:
- Jesus withdraws to the sea with his disciples due to the growing crowd.
- Many come from distant regions to see him, seeking healing and deliverance.
- Jesus instructs his disciples to prepare a boat to prevent being crushed by the crowd.
- He appoints twelve of his disciples as apostles, naming each one individually:
- Simon (Peter)
- James (son of Zebedee)
- John (brother of James, son of Zebedee)
- Andrew
- Philip
- Bartholomew
- Matthew
- Thomas
- James (son of Alphaeus)
- Thaddaeus
- Simon the Zealot
- Judas Iscariot, who later betrays Jesus.
- Jesus grants them authority to preach, cast out demons, and heal the sick.
Mark 2:23-3:19 teaches us that following Jesus is about love and doing what is right, not just following rules. When the religious leaders criticized Jesus for healing on the Sabbath, He showed that helping others is more important than strict traditions. This reminds us to put kindness and compassion above rigid rules. Jesus also called His disciples, showing that He chooses ordinary people to do His work. No matter who we are, He invites us to follow Him and make a difference by loving and serving others.
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.