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Book of Mark - Chapter 2 - Verse 28

2:28
Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.

Meaning

When Jesus declared himself as the Lord of the Sabbath, he was asserting his authority over the Sabbath day, which was a sacred day of rest and worship in Jewish tradition. By claiming to be the Son of man and the Lord of the Sabbath, Jesus was essentially asserting his divinity and his position as the ultimate authority over all religious practices. This statement was also a response to the religious leaders of his time who were using strict Sabbath observance as a way to control and oppress people. Jesus was reminding them that the Sabbath was created for the benefit of humanity, not to be used as a burden or a means of enforcing rules. As the Lord of the Sabbath, Jesus was teaching a message of grace and liberation, inviting people to find rest and freedom in him rather than in legalistic religious practices.

Theological Overview

When looking at the theological interpretation of the verse "Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath," it is important to note that Jesus is asserting his authority over the Sabbath. In Jewish tradition, the Sabbath was a sacred day of rest and worship, governed by strict rules and regulations. By declaring himself as the Lord of the Sabbath, Jesus is claiming to have the power to interpret and redefine the purpose of the Sabbath. This statement also reinforces Jesus' divinity and his role as the Son of Man, a title used to emphasize his humanity and his role as a representative of all humanity before God. Through this declaration, Jesus is challenging traditional religious practices and emphasizing the importance of mercy, compassion, and the true intentions behind God's commandments. This verse highlights Jesus' role as a transformative figure in the religious landscape of his time, inviting his followers to understand the deeper spiritual truths behind the laws and traditions they followed.

American Standard Version

so that the Son of man is lord even of the sabbath.
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