Mark 2:23-28

GOD’S WORD Translation

Jesus Has Authority over the Day of Rest—a Holy Day^(A)

²³ Once on a day of rest—a holy day, Jesus was going through the grainfields. As the disciples walked along, they began to pick the heads of grain.

²⁴ The Pharisees asked him, “Look! Why are your disciples doing something that is not permitted on the day of rest—a holy day?”

²⁵ Jesus asked them, “Haven’t you ever read what David did when he and his men were in need and were hungry? ²⁶ Haven’t you ever read how he went into the house of God when Abiathar was chief priest and ate the bread of the presence? He had no right to eat those loaves. Only the priests have that right. Haven’t you ever read how he also gave some of it to his men?”

²⁷ Then he added, “The day of rest—a holy day, was made for people, not people for the day of rest. ²⁸ For this reason the Son of Man has authority over the day of rest—a holy day.”