Sabbath in the New Testament

If you've ever wondered about the Sabbath day in the New Testament this post is for you. Many people have told me that if the Sabbath was truly important for us it would have been mentioned by the Messiah or in the New Testament. The thing is though that the day of rest actually gets brought up a lot in the New Testament. More times than in the Torah! And with the New Testament only making up about a third of the whole of Scripture, the Sabbath appears in higher proportions than in the entire Old Testament.

Honoring the Sabbath day is such a foundational part of the lifestyle that Scripture teaches it often goes without saying. Sort of like how I've never seen the days of the week listed in order in a newspaper or magazine. This information is so obvious in our world that it's unspoken. The New York Times does not need to tell readers that Monday is after Sunday and that it's the most dreaded day of the week, but a time traveler from another era wouldn't realize what a "case of the Mondays" means. Knowledge that's ubiquitous in one culture is often lost on another.

If honoring the Sabbath is not part of your culture, then the implied presence of it is easy to miss. I think one of the reasons Peter, John, and Paul don't talk about observing the Sabbath more expressly is that it never crossed their minds that those who follow the Messiah would scratch off one of the ten commandments. 

And speaking of those ten commandments, do you realize the Messiah spent comparatively little time on the other nine? Sabbath keeping comes up far more often in the New Testament than things like not killing or having no gods in your life besides YHWH. Do we think YHWH has "freed" us from the restriction to not murder or that we can go ahead and lie and steal? Of course not! Even without saying much on the subject we know that the Messiah still wants us to honor these commandments. Hopefully seeing how much the Sabbath comes up throughout Scripture will help us to see how valuable it is to the Living Word.

Let's take a look at where Sabbath appears in the New Testament:

Hebrews 4:9 - There remains a Sabbath for the people of YHWH.

Did you hear that? This book was written many years after Yahusha ascended into Heaven and the writer of Hebrews still believed that the Sabbath was applicable to our lives.


Luke 6:5 - The Son of Man is Master of the Sabbath.

Why would the Messiah give himself this title if he wanted us to ignore this commandment? Does that make any kind of sense? He also described himself as the Good Shepherd - do we say he is out of the shepherding game? Do we think he used to be the Way, the Truth, and the Life for other people but not for us? Scripture tells us that not only did Yahusha keep the Sabbath but also that he has taken ownership of the idea of it. The commandment that his people make the seventh day a set apart one belongs to him.


Matthew 12:12 - It is permitted in Torah to do good deeds on the Sabbath.

You know how Yahusha was accused of violating the Sabbath day? Those accusations were false. Here he explains that the Torah actually permits healing on the Sabbath. This is not him bending the rules or blowing off part of Scripture. This is the Living Word explaining correct understanding of YHWH's commandments regarding the Sabbath. If his intent was to do away with one of the commandments in a year or two after his death he would not have spent so much time working to correct our understanding of it.


Acts 13:14 - They came to Antioch in Pisidia and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath.

I used to work for a Christian ministry that is very passionate about the book of Acts being a life manual for today's Believers. The ministry believes healings and miracles were not just limited to the early church, but what YHWH desires for his people today. I totally agree with this but I would also take things a step further: look at the other parts of the lives of the people in this book. These miracles happened through Sabbath keepers. Let's view this as a manual and live the way they did.


Luke 23:56 - They went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.

Here is an example of the Messiah's followers observing the Sabbath after his death. Many say there is too much pressing work that needs to be done to take a day of rest, but Yahusha's followers didn't violate the Sabbath, even for his sake. I imagine if these women had ever heard the Messiah teach that Sabbath keeping was not important they would have made an exception at such a significant time. But they didn't. The spices were an important part of burial tradition and it was clear they wanted to do this as soon as possible since they went "very early" in the morning after the Sabbath to anoint his body. 


Colossians 2:16-17 - Let no one judge you in connection with the Sabbath...except the Israelite body of the Messiah.

YHWH knew that many people would not understand our desire to honor his Sabbath, which is why he warned us not to let their opinion sway us. This also tells us that it's not optional. We are not free from judgment regarding the Sabbath (and also foods and feast days) so we can just do whatever we want. This verse tells us that judgment is passed by the body of the Messiah. As the bride, the body's beliefs on the Sabbath should be unified with the Messiah's.


1 Corinthians 16:2 - After one of the Sabbaths let everyone one of you lay aside and store up what YHWH has blessed him with.

The Sabbath day is still treated like a normal part of life here because it was. The Messiah never wanted his followers to give up a commandment of YHWH and early on his followers were aware of that.


Matthew 24:20 - Pray that you will not have to escape in winter or on the Sabbath.

Yahusha is talking here about a time that 2,000 years later has not yet happened. The escape in question is after the abomination of desolation occurs in the Temple. Why does he use this anecdote about praying that you won't have to flee on the Sabbath? It's obvious he expects his people to be aware of and desire to honor the Sabbath day.


Acts 17:2 - As was his custom, Paul went into a synagogue on the Sabbath and reasoned with them from the Scriptures.

Why does Paul have a habit of teaching from Scripture on the Sabbath? Because that is an activity that is approved of on the Sabbath day. We do not see him working in his profession as a tent maker, traveling, or shopping on the set apart day. One of the greatest Scripture teachers of all time knew not to violate the Sabbath and we have no record that he ever did. The book of Acts frequently talks about what Paul was up to on the Sabbath, and his actions are always keeping with the commandment to set the day apart.


Acts 15:21 - For Moses from old times has in every city those that proclaim his teachings, with his Torah being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.

Here instructions are given on how to handle people coming into the faith that have no foundation of the commandments about set apart living. A few basic pointers are given to them (stay away from idols, sexual sin, and blood), and then Scripture tells us to get these people to start observing the Sabbath. On the Sabbath day, get to somewhere that is teaching YHWH's instructions so that you can learn how to live.


Revelation 12:17 - The dragon went to make war with the remnant of the woman's children, the ones that keep the commandments of YHWH, and have the testimony of Yahusha the Messiah.

The commandments and the Messiah. YHWH wants us to have both.

There are something like 58 express mentions of the Sabbath in the New Testament, so this is by no means a conclusive list. Did you ever realize what a popular word this was in Scripture?

More on the Sabbath: 
Fifteen Things Scripture Says About the Sabbath
Six Reasons Why Believers Should Keep the Sabbath
Five Things the Messiah Taught About the Sabbath

Fifteen Things Scripture Says about the Sabbath

Keeping the Sabbath is one of the ten commandments. Do you know about this special day? What is the Sabbath? When is it? What does it look like to honor this day? Scripture has a lot to tell us.

What Scripture Says About the Sabbath:

1. It is for all believers even today.
"The people of Israel are to keep the Sabbath, to observe it throughout all their generations as a perpetual covenant." -Exodus 31:16

The Messiah did not take away this command. The New Testament tells us that believers' duty to keep the Sabbath remains (see Hebrews 4:9). Think you're not Israel? Reminder that YHWH calls all of his children Israel. But even if you don't have Israelite blood....

2. He expects you to keep it, even if you aren't a natural born Israelite.
"And the sons of foreigners that join themselves to YHWH, to serve him, to love his name, should guard the Sabbath from polluting it. They will take hold of my covenant; and I will bring them to my holy mountain and make them full of joy in my house of prayer." -Isaiah 56:6-7

This passage makes it doubly clear that the Creator expects every single person that serves him to honor the Sabbath, regardless of your family traditions or bloodline.

3. It is the seventh day of the week.
"On six days work is to be done, but the seventh day is to be a set apart day for you, a Sabbath of complete rest to honor YHWH." -Exodus 35:2

The example for this was set by the Creator himself in Genesis 2:2 when he rested from creation on the seventh day. Like it or not, Sunday is the first day of the week and does not replace the commandment to observe the Sabbath on the seventh.

4. We aren't supposed to work on it.
"The seventh day is a Sabbath for YHWH. On it, you are not to do any kind of work." -Exodus 20:10a

Honoring the Sabbath means making sure I have the day off from my job. Professional work is prohibitied, but of course this command was given to a group of freshly freed slaves wandering the desert. The Israelites had no professional work to do, and were still commanded not to work on the Sabbath day. Clearly "work" means more than just what we get paid to do.

5. It is a day of rest.
"On six days work is to be done, but the seventh day is to be a set apart day for you, a Sabbath of complete rest to honor YHWH." -Exodus 35:2

Resting is a more helpful way to describe the itinerary for the set apart day. No one is going to pay me to rake the leaves, change the oil in the car, clean my house, or check my email, but are those things restful? Then don't do them on the Sabbath!

6. We should worship YHWH on it.
"The people of the land shall worship before YHWH on the Sabbath." -Ezekiel 46:3

Physical rest is one aspect of the Sabbath day; emotional and spiritual rest are another. Worshipping YHWH brings us peace and refreshment. It is restorative and healing. Don't we all need more of those things? This verse also tells us once again, that Sabbath is for all of us.

7. We should not cause anyone to violate the Sabbath.
"On it you are not to do any kind of work - not you, your son or daughter, not your servants, not your livestock, and not the foreigner staying with you." -Exodus 20:10

While most of us don't have traditional servants, we still pay people to work for us. We should avoid having the electrician over to fix something or having a barista whip up a latte for us on the Sabbath. If visiting a place of business causes someone else to work we might want to reconsider and save that trip for another day of the week.

8. We should not buy or sell anything on it.
"If the people of the land bring merchandise or food to sell on the Sabbath, we will not buy from them on the Sabbath or on a holy day." -Nehemiah 10:31

This expressly prohibits buying and selling on the Sabbath. This is implied throughout Scripture since everyone is supposed to be resting, and in order for things to be for sale someone has to work. Later on in Nehemiah 13:17, Nehemiah discovers food being sold and angrily calls it profaning the Sabbath. This means going out for lunch or swinging by the Saturday morning farmers market does not fit in with following the commandments of Scripture.

9. It's not a day for pursuing our own interests.
"If you hold back your foot on the Sabbath from pursuing your own interests on the holy day of YHWH; if you call the Sabbath a delight that's worth honoring then you hnor YHWH by not doing your usual things or pursuing your own interests." -Isaiah 58:13

Sabbath is for us to grow closer to YHWH, not to spend browsing the internet, getting things done, working on hobbies, or otherwise pursuing my career or self image. Sabbath is intended for rest, worship, studying Scripture, prayer, and spending time with family.

10. We shouldn't cook on it.
"Tomorrow is the day of rest, the set apart Sabbath to YHWH; bake what you'd like today, and store your leftovers for tomorrow." -Exodus 16:23

Having food made ahead of time gives us the opportunity for more rest on the Sabbath. This can be challenging but it is worth it to be able to fully honor his instructions. Random leftovers or peanut butter sandwiches are great!

11. We shouldn't start a fire on the Sabbath.
"You are not to kindle a fire in any of your homes on the Sabbath." -Exodus 35:3

This verse is referring to an actual fire and not to electricity. Starting a fire is a lot of work and something we should avoid on the Sabbath. If you'll need a fire going to heat your home, prepare for that by getting it going ahead of time and having the wood split before the Sabbath.

12. It is not a day for hauling stuff around.
"Don't carry a burden out of your houses on the Sabbath." -Jeremiah 17:22

Historically this has to do with moving things out of your home for sale, but it is also a reminder that we shouldn't burden ourselves on the Sabbath. It's not a day for getting all the things accomplished (even if they aren't technically work). If you find yourself overloading the car before heading to congregation, stop and evaluate if you can downsize, what you can do ahead of time, or what simply can wait.

13. The Creator is angry when his people don't keep the Sabbath.
"But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness. They did not live by my laws, they rejected my rulings - which if a person does he will have life through them. They have greatly profaned my Sabbath. Then I said I would pour out my fury on them in the wilderness." -Ezekiel 20:13

There are something like fifty verses in Scripture where YHWH rails against his people for not honoring the Sabbath day. Let this serve as a warning for us. The Creator is serious about Sabbath rest.

14. It is a sign between us and YHWH.
"You are to observe my Sabbaths, for this is a sign between me and you through all your generations, so that you will know I am YHWH, who sets you apart for me." -Exodus 31:13

A sign serves as a reminder for all who see it. So if you keep the Sabbath you are sharing truth with your family, friends, coworkers, and community. Additionally this verse tells us that there is something about the Sabbath that communicates who YHWH is to us. That's amazing!

15. Keeping it is a delight.
"Happy is the person who does this, who keeps the Sabbath." -Isaiah 56:2

In a world with skyrocketing rates of depression and anxiety, don't we want all the joy in our lives that we can get? Scripture tells us that keeping the Sabbath causes joy in us.

More on the Sabbath:
Six Reasons Believers Should Keep the Sabbath
Why I Started Keeping the Sabbath
There Remains a Sabbath Rest
Five Things the Messiah Taught About the Sabbath