Devine Scripture

Mark 2:23

What does Mark 2:23 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 2:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 2:23 means

On a Sabbath day, Jesus and His disciples were walking through grainfields. As they went, the disciples began to pluck heads of grain, presumably to eat. This action, while seemingly innocuous, was considered a violation of Sabbath regulations by the religious authorities, as it involved work. This sets the stage for a new confrontation regarding the proper observance of the Sabbath, a highly contentious issue.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And it came to pass, that he was going on the sabbath day through the grainfields; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And it came to pass, that he went through the corn fields on the sabbath day; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And it came to pass, that he was going on the sabbath day through the grainfields; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And it came about that on the Sabbath day he was going through the grain-fields; and while they were walking, his disciples took the heads of grain.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And it came to pass--he is going along on the sabbaths through the corn-fields--and his disciples began to make a way, plucking the ears,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And it came to pass again, as the Lord walked through the corn fields on the sabbath, that his disciples began to go forward and to pluck the ears of corn.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And it came to pass that he went on the sabbath through the cornfields; and his disciples began to walk on, plucking the ears.

Context

This verse introduces the final major episode of the chapter, shifting the focus to a Sabbath day controversy. It immediately follows Jesus' parables about the new and old, providing a concrete example of how His ministry challenges traditional religious interpretations. The disciples' seemingly innocent act sets up the Pharisees' accusation and Jesus' subsequent teaching on the true purpose of the Sabbath.

v.22And no man putteth new wine into old wine-skins; else the wine will burst the skins, and the wine perisheth, and the skins: but they put new wine into fresh wine-skins.

v.23This passage

v.24And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 12:1

    At that season Jesus went on the sabbath day through the grainfields; and his disciples were hungry and began to pluck ears and to eat.

  • Deuteronomy 23:24

    When thou comest into thy neighbor’s vineyard, then thou mayest eat of grapes thy fill at thine own pleasure; but thou shalt not put any in thy vessel.

  • Luke 6:1

    Now it came to pass on a sabbath, that he was going through the grainfields; and his disciples plucked the ears, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands.

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