John Calvin Commentary Mark 2:27

"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.”