What Is the Sabbath in the Bible?
Quick Summary
The Sabbath is a God-ordained rhythm of rest and worship, rooted in creation and woven through Scripture. Observed on the seventh day of the week in Jewish tradition, and often on Sunday in Christian practice, the Sabbath is both a gift and a command. It reminds us that we are not defined by our work, but by God’s grace. Through Jesus, the Sabbath is fulfilled, not abolished—offering freedom, restoration, and joy.
Introduction: More Than a Day Off
There’s something sacred about stopping. In a world that celebrates hustle and glorifies busyness, the Sabbath stands as a holy countercultural invitation: stop, rest, remember.
But the Sabbath is not just about taking a break. It’s about trust. It’s about worship. It’s about remembering who we are—and more importantly, who we are not.
“God rested not because He was tired, but because He was satisfied.” — Abraham Joshua Heschel, The Sabbath, p. 20
Let’s explore what the Sabbath is in the Bible, how it has been practiced, reimagined, and fulfilled across the Testaments, and what it means for our lives today.
Sabbath in Creation and Covenant
The first mention of the Sabbath isn’t in law—it’s in Genesis:
“And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done.” (Genesis 2:2, NRSV)
God sets the pattern: six days of work, one day of rest. This rest isn’t collapse from exhaustion—it’s intentional, holy, and blessed (Genesis 2:3).
When the Ten Commandments are given, the Sabbath becomes covenantal:
“Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy… For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth… but rested the seventh day.” (Exodus 20:8–11)
In Deuteronomy, the Sabbath is also about liberation:
“Remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt… therefore the Lord your God commanded you to keep the sabbath day.” (Deuteronomy 5:15)
So the Sabbath becomes two things:
A creation rhythm: to rest like God.
A liberation rhythm: to rest as freed people.
Sabbath and Jesus
Jesus doesn’t abolish the Sabbath—he reclaims it.
In Luke 6:1–5, Jesus’ disciples pick grain on the Sabbath. The Pharisees accuse them of breaking the law. Jesus replies:
“The Son of Man is lord of the sabbath.” (Luke 6:5)
In Luke 6:6–11, Jesus heals a man with a withered hand. In John 5, he heals a paralytic at Bethesda. In Luke 14:1–6, he heals a man with dropsy. These weren’t violations—they were revelations.
Jesus showed that the Sabbath was never meant to be a cage. It was meant to be a day of mercy, healing, and renewal. It is also an indicator of justice: if the economics of a system do not allow for workers to take time off, then something is seriously wrong with the entire system.
“The sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the sabbath.” (Mark 2:27)
(Explore this passage)
Sabbath in the Early Church
After the resurrection, early Christians began gathering on the first day of the week—Sunday—in celebration of the risen Christ (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2).
Some continued to observe the seventh-day Sabbath (especially Jewish Christians), while others saw Sunday worship as a new rhythm, a “Lord’s Day” expression of joy and freedom.
Paul’s words to the Colossians make room:
“Therefore do not let anyone condemn you… with regard to a festival, a new moon, or a sabbath.” (Colossians 2:16)
The point isn’t the day. It’s the rest, the remembrance, and the rescue.
Theological Reflections on Sabbath
Rest Is Resistance
“In a society that glorifies busyness, Sabbath is an act of resistance. It declares that our worth is not defined by productivity.” — Walter Brueggemann, Sabbath as Resistance, p. 14
Sabbath keeps us human. It pulls us back from the brink of burnout and reorients our lives around grace.
Sabbath Is Delight
“The Sabbath is a sanctuary in time.” — Abraham Joshua Heschel, The Sabbath, p. 21
Sabbath is not just ceasing work—it’s delighting in God, creation, and one another. A day to taste Eden again.
What Sabbath Is and Isn’t
Let’s name what the Sabbath is not:
It is not legalism. Jesus rebuked those who used Sabbath to shame and control.
It is not punishment. It’s a gift.
It is not meant to burden. It’s meant to bless.
And what it is:
A reminder that the world doesn’t depend on us.
A window into God’s rhythm of life.
A witness to the freedom we have in Christ.
Meaning for Today: Receiving the Gift
You don’t have to be Jewish to keep Sabbath. You don’t have to follow a list of rules. But you are invited to rest, worship, and remember.
If the Sabbath feels heavy, you may not be keeping it. You may be surviving it.
But when kept in grace, the Sabbath becomes:
A weekly reminder that you are not your work
A protest against hurry and hustle
A chance to worship without distraction
A door into joy
As I’ve written elsewhere, “The Sabbath can bring you freedom and make you happy.” Not in the cheesy, shallow way—but in the rooted, liberating, soul-deep way.
FAQ
What is the Sabbath in the Bible?
A day of rest and worship, rooted in creation and commanded in the Ten Commandments. Jesus fulfills its purpose in the New Testament.
Is Sabbath Saturday or Sunday?
In Judaism, it’s Saturday. Many Christians observe Sunday as a resurrection-centered day of worship and rest.
Do Christians have to keep the Sabbath?
Not in the legalistic sense, but Sabbath principles of rest, worship, and remembrance remain vital.
What does Jesus say about the Sabbath?
That it was made for us—not to restrict, but to restore (Mark 2:27).
How do I start practicing Sabbath?
Start small. Pick one day—or even part of a day—to rest, pray, disconnect from work, and reconnect with God.
