John Calvin Commentary Mark 2
John Calvin Commentary
Mark 2
John Calvin Commentary
Mark 2
"And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?" — Mark 2:24 (ASV)
Why do they on the Sabbath what is not lawful? The Pharisees did not blame the disciples of Christ for plucking ears of corn from a field that was not their own, but for violating the Sabbath; as if there had been a precept to this effect, that starving men ought rather to die than to satisfy their hunger.
Now, the only reason for keeping the Sabbath was so that the people, by sanctifying themselves to God, might be engaged in true and spiritual worship. A further reason was that, being free from all worldly occupations, they might be more at liberty to attend the holy assemblies. The lawful observance of it, therefore, must relate to this purpose, for the Law ought to be interpreted according to the design of the Legislator.
But this clearly shows the malicious and implacable nature of superstition, and particularly the proud and cruel dispositions of hypocrites, when ambition is joined to hatred of the person. It was not, as I have said, the mere affectation of pretended holiness that made the Pharisees so stern and rigorous. Rather, because they expressly wished to find fault with everything that Christ said or did, they could not help but assign a wrong meaning in cases where there was nothing to blame, as usually happens with prejudiced interpreters.
The accusation was brought—according to Matthew and Mark—against our Lord, and—according to Luke—against his disciples. However, there is no inconsistency here, for the disciples were in all probability so harassed that the charge was directed chiefly against the Master himself. It is even possible that the Pharisees first wrangled with the disciples and afterward with Christ. In the rage of their malice, they may have blamed him for remaining silent and permitting his disciples to break the Sabbath.
"And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:" — Mark 2:27 (ASV)
The Sabbath was made for man. This Fifth argument is related by Mark alone. The general meaning is that those people judge incorrectly who turn to man’s destruction,83 the Sabbath which God appointed for his benefit. The Pharisees saw Christ’s disciples employed in a holy work; they saw them worn out by the fatigue of the journey and partly by lack of food; and yet are offended that, when they are hungry, they take a few grains of corn to support their weary bodies.
Is this not a foolish attempt to overturn God’s purpose, when they demand, to the injury of people, that observance of the Sabbath which He intended to be beneficial?
But I think those who suppose that in this passage the Sabbath is entirely abolished are mistaken, for Christ simply informs us of its proper use. Although He asserted a little before that He is Lord of the Sabbath, the full time for its abolition84 had not yet come, because the veil of the temple was not yet rent (Matthew 27:51).
83 “Lesquels convertissent au dommage et a la ruine de l’homme;”— “who turn to the injury and to the ruin of man.”;”— “who turn to the injury and to the ruin of man.”
84 “La vraye saison et le temps opportun de l’abolissement d’iceluy;”— “the true season and appropriate time for the abolition of it.”;”— “the true season and appropriate time for the abolition of it.”
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