Mark 2:23-28

Contemporary English Version

A Question about the Sabbath

(Matthew 12.1-8; Luke 6.1-5)

^23 (A) One Sabbath Jesus and his disciples were walking through some wheat fields. His disciples were picking grains of wheat as they went along.^{[a] 24} Some Pharisees asked Jesus, “Why are your disciples picking grain on the Sabbath? They are not supposed to do that!”

^25 (B) Jesus answered, “Haven't you read what David did when he and his followers were hungry and in need? ^26 (C) It was during the time of Abiathar the high priest. David went into the house of God and ate the sacred loaves of bread that only priests are allowed to eat. He also gave some to his followers.”

²⁷ Jesus finished by saying, “People were not made for the good of the Sabbath. The Sabbath was made for the good of people. ²⁸ So the Son of Man is Lord over the Sabbath.”