23 And it came to pass—he is going along on the sabbaths through the corn-fields—and his disciples began to make a way, plucking the ears, 24 and the Pharisees said to him, 'Lo, why do they on the sabbaths that which is not lawful?' 25 And he said to them, 'Did ye never read what David did, when he had need and was hungry, he and those with him? 26 how he went into the house of God, (at 'Abiathar the chief priest,') and the loaves of the presentation did eat, which it is not lawful to eat, except to the priests, and he gave also to those who were with him?' 27 And he said to them, 'The sabbath for man was made, not man for the sabbath, 28 so that the son of man is lord also 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.