7430 Sabbath, in NT

The NT develops the OT teaching on the Sabbath in three important directions. It declares that the Sabbath should not be observed in a legalistic manner; the Sabbath-rest is treated as an important symbol of the Christian doctrine of salvation; and finally, the NT itself indicates how Sunday, rather than Saturday, came to be seen as the Christian Sabbath.

Gospel incidents connected with the Sabbath

Exorcism Mk 1:21-25 pp Lk 4:31-35

Healing Mt 12:9-14 pp Mk 3:1-6 pp Lk 6:6-11; Mk 1:30-31 pp Lk 4:38-40; Lk 13:10-17; Lk 14:1-6; Jn 5:5-18; Jn 9:1-16

Teaching Mk 6:2 pp Mt 13:54; Lk 4:16

Other references Mt 28:1 pp Mk 16:1; Lk 23:55-56; Jn 12:2

Jesus Christ’s teaching regarding the Sabbath

Jesus Christ observes the Sabbath regulation Lk 4:16 See also Mt 24:20; Ac 1:12

Human well-being is more important than rigid observance of the Law Mk 2:27-28 See also Mt 12:3

Ceremonial observance must give way before any higher, or more spiritual, motive Mt 12:5-6 See also Lk 6:5

Sabbath reading of Scripture provided an opportunity for reaching the Jews

Ac 17:2 See also Ac 13:14,27,42,44; Ac 15:21; Ac 16:13; Ac 18:4

Sabbath observance was optional for Gentile Christians

Col 2:16

The Lord’s Day

Rev 1:10 At an early stage the Sabbath was replaced by Sunday (the first day of the week) as the day for rest and worship. See also Jn 20:19,26; Ac 20:7; 1Co 16:2

The Sabbath-rest is seen as a symbol of the salvation of the people of God

Heb 4:1 The OT promise of rest was unfulfilled, on account of Israel’s disobedience; Heb 3:18-19; Heb 4:9 The OT promise of rest remains open.

See also