24 And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?
24 The Pharisees said to him, "Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?"
24 And the Pharisees were saying to him, "Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?"
24 As his disciples made a path, they pulled off heads of grain. The Pharisees told on them to Jesus: "Look, your disciples are breaking Sabbath rules!"
24 And the Pharisees said to Him, "Look, why do they do what is not lawful on the Sabbath?"
24 But the Pharisees said to Jesus, "Look, why are they breaking the law by harvesting grain on the Sabbath?"
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Mark 2:24
Commentary on Mark 2:23-28
(Read Mark 2:23-28)
The sabbath is a sacred and Divine institution; a privilege and benefit, not a task and drudgery. God never designed it to be a burden to us, therefore we must not make it so to ourselves. The sabbath was instituted for the good of mankind, as living in society, having many wants and troubles, preparing for a state of happiness or misery. Man was not made for the sabbath, as if his keeping it could be of service to God, nor was he commanded to keep it outward observances to his real hurt. Every observance respecting it, is to be interpreted by the rule of mercy.