The ritualist demands the outward, the conventional, the ancient usage of the past. Christ says, "Be natural." The needs of man, whether of body or of soul, are greater than ceremonial restriction. Ceremonies are only expressions of life, and where life is wanting, they are meaningless and void.
The withered hand, Mark 3:1-6. Through long disuse of powers which God has given, but which we have refrained from exercising, degeneration may have set in; Christ, however, bids us exert them again. In so far as we dare to obey, we shall find ourselves able. Dare to speak, or pray, or work, not at the impulse of your nature, but at His bidding, and you will suddenly find yourself given power.
The Apostolate, Mark 2:7-19. On three occasions Christ used the boat as His pulpit, Mark 4:1; Luke 5:3. We must be disciples (learners), before we can be apostles (those sent). As the Father sent the Master, so the Master sends us. Our mission is threefold-to bear Him company, to perform His errands, and to cast out devils. What infinite variety in the apostolic band! The Boanergic group of four; the group of questioners who were sometimes doubters; and the group of practical men, whose business capacity was a snare at least to one. If there was a traitor even amid the Twelve, who can expect to find his fields free from tares? [source]
Chapter Summary: Mark 2
1Jesus followed by multitudes, 3heals a paralytic; 13calls Matthew; 15eats with tax collectors and sinners; 18excuses his disciples for not fasting; 23and for picking the heads of grain on the Sabbath day
Greek Commentary for Mark 2:27
For man [δια τον αντρωπον] Mark alone has this profound saying which subordinates the sabbath to man‘s real welfare (mankind, observe, generic article with αντρωπος anthrōpos class from class). Man was not made for the sabbath as the rabbis seemed to think with all their petty rules about eating an egg laid on the sabbath or looking in the glass, et cetera. See 2 Maccabees 5:19 and Mechilta on Exodus 31:13: “The sabbath is delivered unto you and ye are not delivered unto the sabbath.” Christianity has had to fight this same battle about institutionalism. The church itself is for man, not man for the church. [source]
For man [διά] On account of, or for the sake of. This saying is given by Mark only. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Mark 2:27
Hebrews 4:10As God did from his [ὤσπερ ἀπὸ τῶν ἰδίων ὁ θεός] Rend. as God (did ) from his own. Ἰδίων ownsignifies more than mere possession. Rather, works peculiarly his own, thus hinting at the perfect nature of the original works of creation as corresponding with God's nature and bearing his impress. The blessing of the Sabbath-rest is thus put as a cessation from labors. The basis of the conception is Jewish, the rest of the Sabbath being conceived as mere abstinence from labor, and not according to Christ's conception of the Sabbath, as a season of refreshment and beneficent activity, Mark 2:27; John 5:17. Our writer's conception is not the rabbinical conception of cessation of work, but rather of the cessation of the weariness and pain which accompany human labor. Comp. Revelation 14:13; Revelation 21:4; Luke 11:7; Luke 18:5; Galatians 6:17. [source]
Parse: Noun, Nominative Neuter Singular
Root: σάββατον
Sense: the seventh day of each week which was a sacred festival on which the Israelites were required to abstain from all work.
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: σάββατον
Sense: the seventh day of each week which was a sacred festival on which the Israelites were required to abstain from all work.
Greek Commentary for Mark 2:27
Mark alone has this profound saying which subordinates the sabbath to man‘s real welfare (mankind, observe, generic article with αντρωπος anthrōpos class from class). Man was not made for the sabbath as the rabbis seemed to think with all their petty rules about eating an egg laid on the sabbath or looking in the glass, et cetera. See 2 Maccabees 5:19 and Mechilta on Exodus 31:13: “The sabbath is delivered unto you and ye are not delivered unto the sabbath.” Christianity has had to fight this same battle about institutionalism. The church itself is for man, not man for the church. [source]
On account of, or for the sake of. This saying is given by Mark only. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Mark 2:27
Rend. as God (did ) from his own. Ἰδίων ownsignifies more than mere possession. Rather, works peculiarly his own, thus hinting at the perfect nature of the original works of creation as corresponding with God's nature and bearing his impress. The blessing of the Sabbath-rest is thus put as a cessation from labors. The basis of the conception is Jewish, the rest of the Sabbath being conceived as mere abstinence from labor, and not according to Christ's conception of the Sabbath, as a season of refreshment and beneficent activity, Mark 2:27; John 5:17. Our writer's conception is not the rabbinical conception of cessation of work, but rather of the cessation of the weariness and pain which accompany human labor. Comp. Revelation 14:13; Revelation 21:4; Luke 11:7; Luke 18:5; Galatians 6:17. [source]