Tuesday of Week 2 in Ordinary Time - Mark 2: 23-28

Jan 19, 2026

The discussion dives into the conflict between Jesus and the Pharisees over Sabbath laws. It highlights how Jesus uses David's example to illustrate that human need takes precedence over ritual observance. The concept that the Sabbath was created for human benefit is emphasized, illustrating its original intent. Furthermore, Jesus’ authority as the 'Son of Man' is explored, underscoring his unique interpretation of the law. The episode also connects this teaching to broader themes in the Catholic Catechism about hunger and divine law.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Books

Transcript

Episode notes

ANECDOTE

Disciples Picking Grain Out Of Hunger

The disciples pick ears of corn while following Jesus because they are hungry.
Mark notes this as a common, practical act that becomes contested only because it occurs on the Sabbath.

INSIGHT

Hand-Picking Grain Was Permitted

Deuteronomy allowed plucking grain by hand but forbade using a sickle.
The act itself wasn't inherently unlawful, which shifts the dispute to Sabbath observance rather than harvesting law.

INSIGHT

Pharisees Became Servants Of The Law

The Pharisees enforce elaborate Sabbath rules to protect covenant faithfulness.
Their strictness turns them into 'servants of the Sabbath' rather than guardians of its purpose.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

To support the ministry and access exclusive content, go to: ⁠⁠⁠⁠http://patreon.com/logicalbiblestudy⁠⁠⁠⁠

For complete verse-by-verse audio commentaries from Logical Bible Study, go to: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://mysoundwise.com/publishers/1677296682850p

Mark 2: 23-28 - 'The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.'

Catechism of the Catholic Church Paragraphs:

- 581-582 (in 'Jesus and the Law') - The Jewish people and their spiritual leaders viewed Jesus as a rabbi. He often argued within the framework of rabbinical interpretation of the Law. Yet Jesus could not help but offend the teachers of the Law, for he was not content to propose his interpretation alongside theirs but taught the people “as one who had authority, and not as their scribes"...In presenting with divine authority the definitive interpretation of the Law, Jesus found himself confronted by certain teachers of the Law who did not accept his interpretation of the Law, guaranteed though it was by the divine signs that accompanied it. This was the case especially with the sabbath laws, for he recalls often with rabbinical arguments, that the sabbath rest is not violated by serving God and neighbor, which his own healings did." (abbreviated)

- 544 (in 'The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God') - Jesus shares the life of the poor, from the cradle to the cross; he experiences hunger, thirst, and privation (abbreviated)

- 2173 (in 'The Sabbath Day') - The Gospel reports many incidents when Jesus was accused of violating the sabbath law. But Jesus never fails to respect the holiness of this day. He gives this law its authentic and authoritative interpretation: “The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath.” With compassion, Christ declares the sabbath for doing good rather than harm, for saving life rather than killing. The sabbath is the day of the Lord of mercies and a day to honor God. “The Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.”

Got a Bible question? Send an email to logicalbiblestudy@gmail.com, and it will be answered in an upcoming episode!