23 And it happened that He was passing through the grainfields on the Sabbath , and His disciples began to make their way along while picking the heads of grain. 24 The Pharisees were saying to Him, "Look , why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath ?" 25 And He said to them, "Have you never read what David did when he was in need and he and his companions e became hungry ; 26 how he entered the house of God in the time of Abiathar the high priest , and ate the consecrated bread , which is not lawful for anyone to eat except the priests , and he also gave it to those who were with him?" 27 Jesus said to them, " The Sabbath was made for man , and not man for the Sabbath . 28 "So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath ."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Mark 2:23-28
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.