This verse from Mark 2:24, "The Pharisees said to him, “Behold, why do they do that which is not lawful on the Sabbath day?”" is part of a larger narrative where Jesus' disciples are walking through a grainfield on the Sabbath and begin to pluck heads of grain to eat.
Here's a breakdown of what it means:
The Pharisees: This verse is from a larger passage about Jesus's interactions with the Pharisees, a Jewish religious and social group known for their strict adherence to the Law of Moses and the traditions of the elders.
Said to him: The Pharisees are addressing Jesus directly. They see him as responsible for the actions of his disciples.
Behold: This is an attention-grabbing word, meaning "look," "see," or "notice." It emphasizes the Pharisees' perceived violation.
Why do they do that which is not lawful on the Sabbath day?: This is the core of their criticism. They are accusing Jesus' disciples of breaking the Sabbath law. The specific activity they are objecting to is plucking grain, which they considered a form of harvesting or reaping, and therefore work.
In essence, the Pharisees are challenging Jesus because they believe his disciples are violating the Sabbath law, specifically the prohibition against working on the Sabbath.
The verse highlights the tension between Jesus' interpretation of the law and the Pharisees' more rigid and legalistic approach. Jesus goes on to defend his disciples, arguing that human need takes precedence over strict adherence to the letter of the law, and famously states, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath." (Mark 2:27).
This verse from Mark 2:24, "The Pharisees said to him, “Behold, why do they do that which is not lawful on the Sabbath day?”" is part of a larger narrative where Jesus' disciples are walking through a grainfield on the Sabbath and begin to pluck heads of grain to eat.
Here's a breakdown of what it means:
The Pharisees: This verse is from a larger passage about Jesus's interactions with the Pharisees, a Jewish religious and social group known for their strict adherence to the Law of Moses and the traditions of the elders.
Said to him: The Pharisees are addressing Jesus directly. They see him as responsible for the actions of his disciples.
Behold: This is an attention-grabbing word, meaning "look," "see," or "notice." It emphasizes the Pharisees' perceived violation.
Why do they do that which is not lawful on the Sabbath day?: This is the core of their criticism. They are accusing Jesus' disciples of breaking the Sabbath law. The specific activity they are objecting to is plucking grain, which they considered a form of harvesting or reaping, and therefore work.
In essence, the Pharisees are challenging Jesus because they believe his disciples are violating the Sabbath law, specifically the prohibition against working on the Sabbath.
The verse highlights the tension between Jesus' interpretation of the law and the Pharisees' more rigid and legalistic approach. Jesus goes on to defend his disciples, arguing that human need takes precedence over strict adherence to the letter of the law, and famously states, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath." (Mark 2:27).