Mark 2:23-3:6 Bible study questions
Christology vs. Man’s Bad Theology
Mark 2:23–3:6
Key Verse: 2:28:
28 So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.”
1. Read Mk. 2:23-24. Where were Jesus and the disciples walking from and where were they going? How long was the journey on foot? What did the disciples do when they walked through grainfields? How did the Pharisees object to their actions? Were they correct in their judgment of the disciples? (Dt. 23:25)
2. Read Mk. 2:25-26. What example did Jesus use to defend his disciples and show that they Pharisees were wrong in their judgment? (1 Sam. 21:1-6) What does this reveal about how Jesus prioritizes human need over rigid ceremonial traditions? Can you think of modern examples of how human needs overrides human laws? (Examples of spirit of the law verses letter of the law)
3. Read Mk. 2:27-28. Who gave mankind the Sabbath to rest? (Gen. 2:1-3; Ex. 20:8-11) How does this show God’s understanding of mankind and his wisdom? In light of this, what does it mean when Jesus said that he is lord of the Sabbath? What does this show about his divine authority?
4. Read Mk. 3:1. What was Jesus’ usual practice on the Sabbath? Who was there at this particular day? How do you think this man felt about himself and his human condition? Have you ever injured or broken a limb and how did you feel about it?
5. Read Mk. 3:2. What were the Pharisees watching for? Do you think that they planted the man in the synagogue that day? (Similar to Jn. 8:1-11) Why did the religious leaders think it was not proper for anyone to be healed on the Sabbath?
6. Read Mk. 3:3-4. Why was Jesus not afraid to call out the man with the shriveled hand? How does Jesus’ question in verse 4 expose the hypocrisy of his critics’ hearts? (Mt. 12:11) Why did the religious leaders remain silent?
7. Read Mk. 3:5-6. What specifically causes Jesus holy anger in this situation? Why did it take courage and faith for the man and us to bring to Jesus for healing our “withered” or broken area of our life? What happened when the man stretched out his hand by faith in obedience to Jesus? Why did Jesus’ acts of mercy provoke such a deadly, hateful response?
Mark 2:23-3:6
Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath
23 One Sabbath he was going through the grainfields, and as they made their way, his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. 24 And the Pharisees were saying to him, “Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?” 25 And he said to them, “Have you never read what David did, when he was in need and was hungry, he and those who were with him: 26 how he entered the house of God, in the time of[a] Abiathar the high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those who were with him?” 27 And he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 28 So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.”
3 Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there with a withered hand. 2 And they watched Jesus,[b] to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse him. 3 And he said to the man with the withered hand, “Come here.” 4 And he said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent. 5 And he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored. 6 The Pharisees went out and immediately held counsel with the Herodians against him, how to destroy him.
Footnotes:
a. Mark 2:26 Or in the passage about
b. Mark 3:2 Greek him
