King James Version

What Does Luke 6:5 Mean?

Luke 6:5 in the King James Version says “And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.” — study this verse from Luke chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.”

Luke 6:5 · KJV

Context

3

And Jesus answering them said, Have ye not read so much as this, what David did, when himself was an hungred, and they which were with him;

4

How he went into the house of God, and did take and eat the shewbread , and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat but for the priests alone?

5

And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.

6

And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered.

7

And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath. Jesus concludes His argument with a stunning claim. The conjunction And (καὶ, kai) connects this statement to the David example—because David's need superseded ceremonial law, and because a greater than David is here, the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath (κύριός ἐστιν τοῦ σαββάτου ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου, kyrios estin tou sabbatou ho huios tou anthrōpou).

The Son of man (ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου, ho huios tou anthrōpou) was Jesus's favorite self-designation, appearing 80+ times in the Gospels. It derives from Daniel 7:13-14, where 'one like the Son of man' receives eternal dominion from the Ancient of Days. The title simultaneously emphasizes Jesus's humanity (He is truly human) and His messianic authority (He is the prophesied divine-human King). Jewish listeners would recognize the Daniel allusion and its staggering claim to divine authority.

Is Lord also of the sabbath (κύριός ἐστιν τοῦ σαββάτου, kyrios estin tou sabbatou)—the word kyrios (κύριος) means lord, master, owner, possessor. Jesus claims authority over the Sabbath itself. Not merely permission to interpret Sabbath law, but sovereign lordship over it. Since God instituted the Sabbath (Genesis 2:2-3, Exodus 20:8-11), claiming lordship over Sabbath is claiming divine prerogative. The kyrios of the Sabbath is the same kyrios who created it. Jesus asserts His deity subtly but unmistakably.

The word also (καὶ, kai) is significant—the Son of man is Lord of the Sabbath in addition to being Lord of other things. His authority is comprehensive, not limited. Mark 2:27-28 adds crucial context: 'The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.' The Sabbath serves humanity; humanity doesn't exist to serve Sabbath. Jesus, as Creator (John 1:3, Colossians 1:16) and Redeemer, has authority to determine Sabbath's proper use. His interpretation supersedes Pharisaic tradition. The Pharisees must have bristled—this carpenter's son claims authority over God's holy day. Yet Jesus speaks truth: He is YHWH incarnate, Lord of all.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Sabbath (Hebrew שַׁבָּת, Shabbat, from שָׁבַת, shavat, "to cease, rest") was instituted at creation (Genesis 2:2-3) and codified in the Decalogue (Exodus 20:8-11). It commemorated both creation rest and exodus deliverance (Deuteronomy 5:12-15). By the first century, Sabbath observance had become a defining marker of Jewish identity, especially under Gentile rule. Strict Sabbath-keeping distinguished Jews from pagans and demonstrated covenant faithfulness.

However, Pharisaic tradition had transformed Sabbath from delight to burden. The Mishnah's tractate Shabbat details 39 categories of forbidden work, with countless subcategories. Debates raged over minutiae: Could you spit on Sabbath (might move dust, resembling plowing)? Wear dentures (carrying a burden)? Eat an egg laid on Sabbath (the hen 'worked')? Such legalism missed Sabbath's purpose: celebrating God's provision, resting in His care, and enjoying fellowship with Him and community.

Jesus's Sabbath healings and this grain incident challenged this system. He healed on Sabbath repeatedly (Luke 6:6-11, 13:10-17, 14:1-6, John 5:1-18, 9:1-41), provoking murderous opposition (Mark 3:6, John 5:18). His claim to be 'Lord of the Sabbath' was revolutionary: the Sabbath's Lord can interpret it authoritatively. Early Christians eventually shifted from Sabbath (Saturday) to the Lord's Day (Sunday, Revelation 1:10), celebrating resurrection and new creation. Paul taught that Sabbath regulations are no longer binding (Romans 14:5-6, Colossians 2:16-17). Christ Himself is our Sabbath rest (Hebrews 4:1-11)—we cease striving for righteousness and rest in His finished work. The Sabbath controversy reveals the heart of the gospel: works-righteousness versus grace, tradition versus truth, legalism versus love.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Jesus's claim to be 'Lord of the Sabbath' reveal about His identity and authority?
  2. How does the principle 'the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath' apply to Christian observance of the Lord's Day today?
  3. In what ways is Christ Himself our Sabbath rest, and how should this transform our understanding of Christian obedience?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 13 words
καὶ1 of 13

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἔλεγεν2 of 13

“he said”

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

αὐτοῖς3 of 13

“unto them”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ὅτι4 of 13

“That”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

Κύριός5 of 13

“Lord”

G2962

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

ἐστιν6 of 13

“is”

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

ὁ7 of 13
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

υἱὸς8 of 13

“the Son”

G5207

a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship

τοῦ9 of 13
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀνθρώπου10 of 13

“of man”

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

καὶ11 of 13

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τοῦ12 of 13
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

σαββάτου13 of 13

“of the sabbath”

G4521

the sabbath (i.e., shabbath), or day of weekly repose from secular avocations (also the observance or institution itself); by extension, a se'nnight,

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 6:5 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 6:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Mark 2:27Revelation 1:10Mark 9:7Matthew 11:5-8

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