Mark 2:24
What does Mark 2:24 mean?
A plain-English look at Mark 2:24 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Mark 2:24 means
The Pharisees, observing Jesus' disciples plucking grain on the Sabbath, immediately questioned Jesus, stating, "Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?" Their accusation reveals their strict legalistic interpretation of the Sabbath law, which prohibited any form of work. This challenge highlights the ongoing conflict between Jesus' compassionate, principle-based approach and the Pharisees' rigid, rule-based religion.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?
KJV
King James Version · 1611And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And the Pharisees said to him, Why are they doing what it is not right to do on the Sabbath?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and the Pharisees said to him, `Lo, why do they on the sabbaths that which is not lawful?'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And the Pharisees said to him: Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And the Pharisees said to him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath what is not lawful?
Context
This verse presents the Pharisees' direct accusation, immediately following the disciples' action in verse 23. Their question serves as a direct challenge to Jesus' authority and His disciples' conduct regarding Sabbath observance. This legalistic objection sets up Jesus' robust defense, where He will appeal to Scripture and declare His ultimate authority over the Sabbath, as detailed in the subsequent verses.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Mark 2:16
And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with the sinners and publicans, said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?
- Isaiah 56:2
Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that holdeth it fast; that keepeth the sabbath from profaning it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil.
- Matthew 23:23
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye tithe mint and anise and cummin, and have left undone the weightier matters of the law, justice, and mercy, and faith: but these ye ought to have done, and not to have left the other undone.
- Exodus 31:15
Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day is a sabbath of solemn rest, holy to Jehovah: whosoever doeth any work on the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.
- Exodus 20:10
but the seventh day is a sabbath unto Jehovah thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:
- Nehemiah 13:15
In those days saw I in Judah some men treading winepresses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses therewith; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals.
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