23 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. 24 And the Pharisees said to him, Why are they doing what it is not right to do on the Sabbath? 25 And he said to them, Have you no knowledge of what David did, when he had need and was without food, he, and those who were with him? 26 How he went into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest, and took for food the holy bread, which only the priests may take, and gave it to those who were with him? 27 And he said to them, The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath; 28 So that the Son of man is lord even of the Sabbath.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Mark 2:23-28
Commentary on Mark 2:23-28
(Read Mark 2:23-28)
The sabbath is a sacred and Divine institution; a privilege and benefit, not a task and drudgery. God never designed it to be a burden to us, therefore we must not make it so to ourselves. The sabbath was instituted for the good of mankind, as living in society, having many wants and troubles, preparing for a state of happiness or misery. Man was not made for the sabbath, as if his keeping it could be of service to God, nor was he commanded to keep it outward observances to his real hurt. Every observance respecting it, is to be interpreted by the rule of mercy.