Complete Bible Study Guide
What Does the Bible Say About Working On The Sabbath?
8 Scripture references with full text and commentary
Understanding Working On The Sabbath in the Bible
Discover 8 powerful Bible verses about working on the sabbath. Study what Scripture teaches about this essential theology & doctrine topic.
Top 8 Verses About Working On The Sabbath
- 1
- 2Exodus 20:10
“But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:”
KJV - 3Exodus 35:2
“Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be to you an holy day, a sabbath of rest to the LORD: whosoever doeth work therein shall be put to death. an: Heb. holiness”
KJV - 4
- 5Leviticus 23:3
“Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings.”
KJV - 6Matthew 12:11
“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?”
KJV - 7
- 8Colossians 2:16
“Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: in meat: or, for eating and drinking respect: or, part”
KJV
Old Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Working On The Sabbath? (5 Verses)
“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.”
“But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:”
“Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be to you an holy day, a sabbath of rest to the LORD: whosoever doeth work therein shall be put to death. an: Heb. holiness”
“Ye shall kindle no fire throughout your habitations upon the sabbath day.”
“Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings.”
New Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Working On The Sabbath? (3 Verses)
“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?”
“And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:”
“Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: in meat: or, for eating and drinking respect: or, part”
How to Study What the Bible Says About Working On The Sabbath
- 1
Begin by reading through every verse listed on this page, noting which ones speak most directly to your current season of life. Write them down and revisit them throughout the week.
- 2
Use a concordance or the search tools on this site to find additional passages about working on the sabbath. Look for patterns across both the Old and New Testaments to gain a complete picture of what God reveals on this subject.
- 3
Study the context of each verse. Read the surrounding chapter to understand who was speaking, who the audience was, and what circumstances prompted the passage. Context prevents misapplication.
- 4
Memorise at least one key verse about working on the sabbath and meditate on it daily. Scripture memory transforms thinking and equips you to apply God's Word in real-time situations.
Practical Application
Studying what the Bible says about working on the sabbath is only the beginning. Scripture is meant to be lived out in daily obedience and faith. Here are practical steps to apply these truths:
Identify one area of your life where the biblical teaching on working on the sabbath needs to be applied more consistently. Write a specific, actionable step you can take this week.
Share what you have learned about working on the sabbath with a fellow believer or in a small group setting. Teaching others solidifies your own understanding and encourages mutual growth.
Pray through the key verses about working on the sabbath, asking God to reveal how His Word applies to your relationships, decisions, and daily habits.
How Well Do You Know What the Bible Says About Working On The Sabbath?
You have studied 8 verses about working on the sabbath. Now test your knowledge with chapter-by-chapter quizzes covering the books where these verses appear.