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In this lesson:
The Pharisees challenge Jesus. A question about fasting (2:18-20). Parables of the new cloth and wineskins (2:21-22). Harvesting grain on the Sabbath (2:23-28). Healing on the Sabbath (3:1-6). Study Tip: Look for something in this passage to avoid. Look for a commandment to follow. |
King David
By American illustrator and visual artist Jerry Harston (1943-2009) |
Who was -
David
David is a larger-than-life Jewish icon mentioned 1,118 times in the Bible. He was a prophet, poet, and the second King of Israel, credited with writing over 75 Psalms in "The Book of Psalms." The son of Jesse (Matthew 1:6), David was born in Bethlehem and spent his early years as a simple shepherd and poet. He was also an accomplished lyre player, a stringed musical instrument in the lute family. His musical talent led to an invitation to play the lyre for King Saul (1 Samuel 16:14-23), who suffered from depression. Listening to David play revived Saul, and the grateful King made him his personal musician and armor-bearer. When David was about twenty, Israel went to war with the Philistines. Young David gained fame by defeating the giant Philistine warrior Goliath of Gath in one-on-one combat (1 Samuel 17:1-58). As a reward, he was given a high-ranking position in Israel's army and married King Saul's daughter, Michal. Over time, David's popularity in Israel grew, forcing him to flee from a jealous Saul (1 Samuel 18:6-16) and live as a fugitive for years. After the death of King Saul and his son Ishbosheth (heir to Saul's throne), David returned from exile and was made the second King of Israel (2 Samuel 5:1-5).
King David possessed excellent leadership skills (1 Samuel 22:2) and ushered in a golden era for Israel. He established a strong civil government and strengthened Israel's army, transforming a small, young country into a wealthy, powerful nation. He led Israel to victory over the Philistines (2 Samuel 8:1), Moabites (2 Samuel 8:2), Syrians (2 Samuel 8:5-6), Edomites (2 Samuel 8:14), Ammonites, Amalekites, and others. David's forty-year reign (2 Samuel 5:4) was known for its fairness.
God called David "a man after his own heart" (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22). Although he sinned many times, David always repented and was forgiven by God. After David died at seventy (2 Samuel 5:4), his son Solomon (Matthew 1:6) became Israel's third king. God promised that "all nations" would be blessed through David's family. That blessing was King David's descendant, Jesus Christ (Acts 2:29-30). "The Gospel According to Matthew" opens with Jesus' genealogy (Matthew 1:1-1:16). It establishes that Jesus is a descendant of King David and thus fulfills the Old Testament prophecies. David's story can be found in 1 Samuel 16:1-31:13, 2 Samuel 1:1-18:33, and 2 Samuel 19:1-1 Kings 2:46.
David
David is a larger-than-life Jewish icon mentioned 1,118 times in the Bible. He was a prophet, poet, and the second King of Israel, credited with writing over 75 Psalms in "The Book of Psalms." The son of Jesse (Matthew 1:6), David was born in Bethlehem and spent his early years as a simple shepherd and poet. He was also an accomplished lyre player, a stringed musical instrument in the lute family. His musical talent led to an invitation to play the lyre for King Saul (1 Samuel 16:14-23), who suffered from depression. Listening to David play revived Saul, and the grateful King made him his personal musician and armor-bearer. When David was about twenty, Israel went to war with the Philistines. Young David gained fame by defeating the giant Philistine warrior Goliath of Gath in one-on-one combat (1 Samuel 17:1-58). As a reward, he was given a high-ranking position in Israel's army and married King Saul's daughter, Michal. Over time, David's popularity in Israel grew, forcing him to flee from a jealous Saul (1 Samuel 18:6-16) and live as a fugitive for years. After the death of King Saul and his son Ishbosheth (heir to Saul's throne), David returned from exile and was made the second King of Israel (2 Samuel 5:1-5).
King David possessed excellent leadership skills (1 Samuel 22:2) and ushered in a golden era for Israel. He established a strong civil government and strengthened Israel's army, transforming a small, young country into a wealthy, powerful nation. He led Israel to victory over the Philistines (2 Samuel 8:1), Moabites (2 Samuel 8:2), Syrians (2 Samuel 8:5-6), Edomites (2 Samuel 8:14), Ammonites, Amalekites, and others. David's forty-year reign (2 Samuel 5:4) was known for its fairness.
God called David "a man after his own heart" (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22). Although he sinned many times, David always repented and was forgiven by God. After David died at seventy (2 Samuel 5:4), his son Solomon (Matthew 1:6) became Israel's third king. God promised that "all nations" would be blessed through David's family. That blessing was King David's descendant, Jesus Christ (Acts 2:29-30). "The Gospel According to Matthew" opens with Jesus' genealogy (Matthew 1:1-1:16). It establishes that Jesus is a descendant of King David and thus fulfills the Old Testament prophecies. David's story can be found in 1 Samuel 16:1-31:13, 2 Samuel 1:1-18:33, and 2 Samuel 19:1-1 Kings 2:46.
The Gospel According to St. Mark
The King James Bible
The King James Bible
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Mark: 2:18-3:6
Questions about fasting 18 And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not? 19 And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. 20 But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days. 21 No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse. 22 And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles. 23 And it came to pass, that he went through the corn fields on the sabbath day; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn. 24 And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful? 25 And he said unto them, Have ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungred, he, and they that were with him? 26 How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the shewbread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to them which were with him? 27 And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: 28 Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath. Mark: Chapter 3:1-6 Another miracle 1 And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand. 2 And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him. 3 And he saith unto the man which had the withered hand, Stand forth. 4 And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace. 5 And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other. 6 And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him. |
Margin notes:
"The disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast." (2:18) - The disciples of John the Baptist fasted twice a week (Matthew 9:14), as did the Pharisees (Luke 18:10-12). "Can the children of the bridechamber fast?" (2:19) - Means "Do friends of the bridegroom fast?" Jesus is the bridegroom and the church is His bride (Matthew 25:1-13; Ephesians 5:25; Revelation 19:7; 21:2). "The bridegroom shall be taken away." (2:20) - Here, Jesus is metaphorically speaking of His arrest and crucifixion. "New cloth." (2:21) - New cloth that hasn't been washed and shrunk yet. "The rent is made worse." (2:21) - "The tear is made worse." "The new wine doth burst the bottles." (2:22) - In biblical times, wine bottles were made from goatskins. Over time, these skins would lose their flexibility, making them prone to bursting if filled with new, fermenting wine that expands. In the same way, Jesus brought a new message—the New Covenant—which could not be contained within the rigid traditions of the Old Covenant, represented by the Pharisees and their strict interpretations. Only those open to change could receive the new life Jesus offered. "The bottles will be marred." (2:22) - "The bottles will be lost." "He went through the corn fields on the sabbath day; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn." (2:23) - Mosaic Law required farmers to leave the corners of their fields available for travelers and the hungry to harvest (Leviticus 19:9-10). "Why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?" (2:24) - The Pharisees misinterpreted Exodus 34:21 and its instruction to rest on the Sabbath. Yes, it was unlawful for farmers to work on the Sabbath (Exodus 20:10), but it was not illegal for hungry people to find food (Deuteronomy 23:25). "What David did." (2:25) - Read 1 Samuel 21:1-6 to learn about the shewbread and what "David did." "Shewbread." (2:26) - Shewbread (Hebrew: Lehem haPanim), also called "The bread of God," is specially prepared unleavened bread blessed by a Rabbi. Each Sabbath, twelve fresh loaves (representing the twelve tribes of Israel) were placed before God on the altar in the Holy Place of the Jewish Temple. These loaves were an offering of gratitude and devotion to God and could only be eaten by the priests after they were replaced at end of the week (Exodus 29:32-33; Leviticus 24:5-9). For Christians, the shewbread is often seen as a symbol of the life-sustaining presence of Christ, the true bread from heaven. "The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath." (2:27) - The Sabbath was set aside by God so we could rest and refresh ourselves (Exodus 23:12; Deuteronomy 5:14). "The Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath." (2:28) - With these ten words, Jesus is proclaiming His Deity. "Heal him on the sabbath." (3:2) - On at least seven occasions, Jesus angered the Pharisees by healing on the Sabbath (Mark 1:21-27; 1:29-31; 3:1-6; Luke 13:10-17; 14:1-6; John 5:1-18; 9:1-16). "Straightway took counsel with the Herodians." (3:6) - "The Pharisees immediately held discussions with the Herodian's." The Herodians were a Jewish political party that supported King Herod Antipas and the Roman occupiers. They had no problem paying Rome's taxes and obeying its laws. Although the Herodians and Pharisees vehemently disagreed on most issues, they joined forces (Matthew 22:15-16; Mark 3:6; 12:13) in a failed attempt to trap Jesus, their common adversary. |
You can learn more about Jesus plucking grain on the Sabbath in Matthew 12:1-8 and Luke 6:1-5. To read additional accounts of Jesus challenging the Pharisees and healing on the Sabbath, see Matthew 12:9-14 and Luke 6:6-11. There are also additional accounts of fasting in Matthew 12:14-17 and Luke 5:33-38.
New Living Translation
Mark: 2:18-3:6
A Discussion about Fasting
18 Once when John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting, some people came to Jesus and asked, "Why don't your disciples fast like John's disciples and the Pharisees do?"
19 Jesus replied, "Do wedding guests fast while celebrating with the groom? Of course not. They can't fast while the groom is with them.
20 But someday the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.
21 "Besides, who would patch old clothing with new cloth? For the new patch would shrink and rip away from the old cloth, leaving an even bigger tear than before.
22 "And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the wine would burst the wineskins, and the wine and the skins would both be lost. New wine calls for new wineskins."
A Discussion about the Sabbath
23 One Sabbath day as Jesus was walking through some grainfields, his disciples began breaking off heads of grain to eat.
24 But the Pharisees said to Jesus, "Look, why are they breaking the law by harvesting grain on the Sabbath?"
25 Jesus said to them, "Haven't you ever read in the Scriptures what David did when he and his companions were hungry?
26 He went into the house of God (during the days when Abiathar was high priest) and broke the law by eating the sacred loaves of bread that only the priests are allowed to eat. He also gave some to his companions."
27 Then Jesus said to them, "The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath.
28 So the Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath!"
Mark 3:1-6
Jesus Heals on the Sabbath
1Jesus went into the synagogue again and noticed a man with a deformed hand.
2 Since it was the Sabbath, Jesus' enemies watched him closely. If he healed the man's hand, they planned to accuse him of working on the Sabbath.
3 Jesus said to the man with the deformed hand, "Come and stand in front of everyone."
4 Then he turned to his critics and asked, "Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?" But they wouldn't answer him.
5 He looked around at them angrily and was deeply saddened by their hard hearts. Then he said to the man, "Hold out your hand." So the man held out his hand, and it was restored!
6 At once the Pharisees went away and met with the supporters of Herod to plot how to kill Jesus.
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase, not an accurate word-for-word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
A Discussion about Fasting
18 Once when John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting, some people came to Jesus and asked, "Why don't your disciples fast like John's disciples and the Pharisees do?"
19 Jesus replied, "Do wedding guests fast while celebrating with the groom? Of course not. They can't fast while the groom is with them.
20 But someday the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.
21 "Besides, who would patch old clothing with new cloth? For the new patch would shrink and rip away from the old cloth, leaving an even bigger tear than before.
22 "And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the wine would burst the wineskins, and the wine and the skins would both be lost. New wine calls for new wineskins."
A Discussion about the Sabbath
23 One Sabbath day as Jesus was walking through some grainfields, his disciples began breaking off heads of grain to eat.
24 But the Pharisees said to Jesus, "Look, why are they breaking the law by harvesting grain on the Sabbath?"
25 Jesus said to them, "Haven't you ever read in the Scriptures what David did when he and his companions were hungry?
26 He went into the house of God (during the days when Abiathar was high priest) and broke the law by eating the sacred loaves of bread that only the priests are allowed to eat. He also gave some to his companions."
27 Then Jesus said to them, "The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath.
28 So the Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath!"
Mark 3:1-6
Jesus Heals on the Sabbath
1Jesus went into the synagogue again and noticed a man with a deformed hand.
2 Since it was the Sabbath, Jesus' enemies watched him closely. If he healed the man's hand, they planned to accuse him of working on the Sabbath.
3 Jesus said to the man with the deformed hand, "Come and stand in front of everyone."
4 Then he turned to his critics and asked, "Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?" But they wouldn't answer him.
5 He looked around at them angrily and was deeply saddened by their hard hearts. Then he said to the man, "Hold out your hand." So the man held out his hand, and it was restored!
6 At once the Pharisees went away and met with the supporters of Herod to plot how to kill Jesus.
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase, not an accurate word-for-word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Key verses from this passage
"And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath." (2:27)
"And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him." (3:6)
"And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him." (3:6)
Today's Question:
1. Why did the Pharisees "accuse" Jesus of working on the Sabbath? (3:2)
As we study together, please share your comments and opinions.
1. Why did the Pharisees "accuse" Jesus of working on the Sabbath? (3:2)
As we study together, please share your comments and opinions.
Answer: (Do you agree?)
1. The Pharisees were influential religious leaders in Judaism, highly respected by the Jewish people. Known for fasting twice a week, they prided themselves on their outward piety and strict observance of religious practices. Many Pharisees enjoyed comfortable lives and were motivated to preserve their authority and status. Viewing Jesus as a threat to their position, they closely monitored His actions, seeking reasons to accuse Him.
The Mosaic Law forbade working on the Sabbath, and the Pharisees kept adding their own harsh rules to the Law until they lost God's original intent. When Jesus picked grain (2:23-27) and healed a man on the Sabbath (3:1-6), the Pharisees accused Him of violating the Mosaic Law. They called Jesus' act of compassion towards the suffering man a sin. When Jesus called Himself the "Lord also of the Sabbath" (2:28), they accused Him of blasphemy. A crime punishable by death. Their jealousy, pride, and anger against Jesus had turned to hatred, and their hatred led them to crucify the Messiah they had been waiting for.
Additional note: There are seven recorded instances in the Bible of Jesus healing on the Sabbath.
Suggested reading:
Read the prophecy in Isaiah 52:13-53:12 for a deeper understanding of Jesus' purpose on earth.
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Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen, published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series," published by NavPress books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies;" "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur, published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers, published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham, published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Atlas of the Bible" edited by Joseph L. Gardner, published by Reader's Digest, Pleasantville, New York; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible," published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The New Testament" Recovery Version, published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, California; "The Living New Testament," published by Tyndale house, Wheaten, Illinois; "The New Living Translation," published by Tyndale House, Wheaten, Illinois; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; the "Life Application Study Bible," published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible," published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The New Scofield Reference Bible," published by Oxford University Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course, the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
© 2026 evolke
© 2026 evolke