IX. Explains the Sabbath

The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth (the Jefferson Bible), by Thomas Jefferson, [1902], at sacred-texts.com

IX.

Explains the Sabbath.

AT that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat.

2 But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day.

3 But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him;

p. 28

4 How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shew-bread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests?

5 Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless?

6 ¶ And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue:

7 And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.

8 And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?

9 How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.

10 And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.

11 ¶ Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.

p. 29

12 But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all.