Bible Study

Read: Mark 2:23-3:6. Luke 13:10-17 John 5:1-18.

These three excerpts from Scripture give examples of alleged violations of the Sabbath committed by or allowed by Jesus.

Opening Meditation

Scripture Readings

Mark 2:23-3:6

1. What was showbread and what was its significance?
2. Why do you think Jesus cited David’s eating of the showbread and also sharing it with his followers?
3. What did it mean for Jesus to declare himself Lord of the Sabbath?
4. When Jesus was about to heal the man with the withered hand, why did the Pharisees remain silent when He asked them if it were lawful to do good or evil, save life or kill on the Sabbath?

Luke 13:10-17

1. Why might tending to livestock have been an acceptable act on the Sabbath?
2. The ruler of the synagogue spoke out against Jesus for healing the woman on the Sabbath, yet did not respond to Jesus when Jesus rebuked  him. Why might that be?

John 5:1-18

1. After healing the man who was unable to walk, Jesus commanded him to sin no more lest a worse malady come upon him. Why did Jesus tell the man to sin no more? What in the scripture indicated the man had sinned?
2. Beyond healing the man, what else did Jesus do that incensed the Jewish hierarchy?

Summary question: What may have been Jesus’s underlying motive for challenging the customary way of observing the Sabbath?

In the lounge (coffee and snacks at 10:30).