ASV reference article

Sabbath-Related References in the Bible

A navigable collection of Sabbath-related passages from the American Standard Version, with Restoration scripture references and factual notes about language, setting, and practice.

How to use this article

Use the section links to jump by canon or topic. The Bible sections quote the public-domain ASV text in full from the worksheet source; the Restoration scripture section lists additional references and includes Book of Mormon wording where it is available from the local text source. Click any scripture reference to open a reading panel with the full chapter text and highlighted verses.

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Bible reference groups

253

ASV verse lines

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Additional Restoration sections

Old Testament

65 references

The Old Testament passages connect Sabbath observance with creation, manna in the wilderness, the Sinai commandments, Israelite household labor, temple worship, holy convocations, land rest, covenant signs, and prophetic rebuke.

Genesis

Genesis 2:2-3

2 And on the seventh day God finished his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.

3 And God blessed the seventh day, and hallowed it; because that in it he rested from all his work which God had created and made.

Exodus

Exodus 16:22-30

22 And it came to pass, that on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for each one: and all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses.

23 And he said unto them, This is that which Jehovah hath spoken, Tomorrow is a solemn rest, a holy sabbath unto Jehovah: bake that which ye will bake, and boil that which ye will boil; and all that remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning.

24 And they laid it up till the morning, as Moses bade: and it did not become foul, neither was there any worm therein.

25 And Moses said, Eat that to-day; for to-day is a sabbath unto Jehovah: to-day ye shall not find it in the field.

26 Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day is the sabbath, in it there shall be none.

27 And it came to pass on the seventh day, that there went out some of the people to gather, and they found none.

28 And Jehovah said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws?

29 See, for that Jehovah hath given you the sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day.

30 So the people rested on the seventh day.

Exodus 20:8-11

8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

9 Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work;

10 but the seventh day is a sabbath unto Jehovah thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:

11 for in six days Jehovah made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore Jehovah blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

Exodus 23:12

12 Six days thou shalt do thy work, and on the seventh day thou shalt rest; that thine ox and thine ass may have rest, and the son of thy handmaid, and the sojourner, may be refreshed.

Exodus 31:12-17

12 And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying,

13 Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily ye shall keep my sabbaths: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am Jehovah who sanctifieth you.

14 Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that profaneth it shall surely be put to death; for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.

15 Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day is a sabbath of solemn rest, holy to Jehovah: whosoever doeth any work on the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.

16 Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant.

17 It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days Jehovah made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.

Exodus 34:21

21 Six days thou shalt work, but on the seventh day thou shalt rest: in plowing time and in harvest thou shalt rest.

Exodus 35:1-3

1 And Moses assembled all the congregation of the children of Israel, and said unto them, These are the words which Jehovah hath commanded, that ye should do them.

2 Six days shall work be done; but on the seventh day there shall be to you a holy day, a sabbath of solemn rest to Jehovah: whosoever doeth any work therein shall be put to death.

3 Ye shall kindle no fire throughout your habitations upon the sabbath day.

Leviticus

Leviticus 16:31

31 It is a sabbath of solemn rest unto you, and ye shall afflict your souls; it is a statute for ever.

Leviticus 19:3

3 Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father; and ye shall keep my sabbaths: I am Jehovah your God.

Leviticus 19:30

30 Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary; I am Jehovah.

Leviticus 23:3

3 Six days shall work be done: but on the seventh day is a sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation; ye shall do no manner of work: it is a sabbath unto Jehovah in all your dwellings.

Leviticus 23:11

11 and he shall wave the sheaf before Jehovah, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it.

Leviticus 23:15-16

15 And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave-offering; seven sabbaths shall there be complete:

16 even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meal-offering unto Jehovah.

Leviticus 23:24

24 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, shall be a solemn rest unto you, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation.

Leviticus 23:32

32 It shall be unto you a sabbath of solemn rest, and ye shall afflict your souls: in the ninth day of the month at even, from even unto even, shall ye keep your sabbath.

Leviticus 23:38

38 besides the sabbaths of Jehovah, and besides your gifts, and besides all your vows, and besides all your freewill-offerings, which ye give unto Jehovah.

Leviticus 24:8

8 Every sabbath day he shall set it in order before Jehovah continually; it is on the behalf of the children of Israel, an everlasting covenant.

Leviticus 25:1-8

1 And Jehovah spake unto Moses in mount Sinai, saying,

2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye come into the land which I give you, then shall the land keep a sabbath unto Jehovah.

3 Six years thou shalt sow thy field, and six years thou shalt prune thy vineyard, and gather in the fruits thereof;

4 but in the seventh year shall be a sabbath of solemn rest for the land, a sabbath unto Jehovah: thou shalt neither sow thy field, nor prune thy vineyard.

5 That which groweth of itself of thy harvest thou shalt not reap, and the grapes of thy undressed vine thou shalt not gather: it shall be a year of solemn rest for the land.

6 And the sabbath of the land shall be for food for you; for thee, and for thy servant and for thy maid, and for thy hired servant and for thy stranger, who sojourn with thee.

7 And for thy cattle, and for the beasts that are in thy land, shall all the increase thereof be for food.

8 And thou shalt number seven sabbaths of years unto thee, seven times seven years; and there shall be unto thee the days of seven sabbaths of years, even forty and nine years.

Leviticus 25:10-12

10 And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubilee unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family.

11 A jubilee shall that fiftieth year be unto you: ye shall not sow, neither reap that which groweth of itself in it, nor gather the grapes in it of the undressed vines.

12 For it is a jubilee; it shall be holy unto you: ye shall eat the increase thereof out of the field.

Leviticus 26:2

2 Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am Jehovah.

Leviticus 26:34-35

34 Then shall the land enjoy its sabbaths, as long as it lieth desolate, and ye are in your enemies’ land; even then shall the land rest, and enjoy its sabbaths.

35 As long as it lieth desolate it shall have rest, even the rest which it had not in your sabbaths, when ye dwelt upon it.

Leviticus 26:43

43 The land also shall be left by them, and shall enjoy its sabbaths, while it lieth desolate without them: and they shall accept of the punishment of their iniquity; because, even because they rejected mine ordinances, and their soul abhorred my statutes.

Numbers

Numbers 15:32-36

32 And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man gathering sticks upon the sabbath day.

33 And they that found him gathering sticks brought him unto Moses and Aaron, and unto all the congregation.

34 And they put him in ward, because it had not been declared what should be done to him.

35 And Jehovah said unto Moses, The man shall surely be put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp.

36 And all the congregation brought him without the camp, and stoned him to death with stones; as Jehovah commanded Moses.

Numbers 28:9-10

9 And on the sabbath day two he-lambs a year old without blemish, and two tenth parts of an ephah of fine flour for a meal-offering, mingled with oil, and the drink-offering thereof:

10 this is the burnt-offering of every sabbath, besides the continual burnt-offering, and the drinkoffering thereof.

Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy 5:12-15

12 Observe the sabbath day, to keep it holy, as Jehovah thy God commanded thee.

13 Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work;

14 but the seventh day is a sabbath unto Jehovah thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; that thy man-servant and thy maid-servant may rest as well as thou.

15 And thou shalt remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and Jehovah thy God brought thee out thence by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm: therefore Jehovah thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day.

Deuteronomy 15:1-6

1 At the end of every seven years thou shalt make a release.

2 And this is the manner of the release: every creditor shall release that which he hath lent unto his neighbor; he shall not exact it of his neighbor and his brother; because Jehovah’s release hath been proclaimed.

3 Of a foreigner thou mayest exact it: but whatsoever of thine is with thy brother thy hand shall release.

4 Howbeit there shall be no poor with thee (for Jehovah will surely bless thee in the land which Jehovah thy God giveth thee for an inheritance to possess it),

5 if only thou diligently hearken unto the voice of Jehovah thy God, to observe to do all this commandment which I command thee this day.

6 For Jehovah thy God will bless thee, as he promised thee: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, but thou shalt not borrow; and thou shalt rule over many nations, but they shall not rule over thee.

Deuteronomy 31:10-13

10 And Moses commanded them, saying, At the end of every seven years, in the set time of the year of release, in the feast of tabernacles,

11 when all Israel is come to appear before Jehovah thy God in the place which he shall choose, thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing.

12 Assemble the people, the men and the women and the little ones, and thy sojourner that is within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear Jehovah your God, and observe to do all the words of this law;

13 and that their children, who have not known, may hear, and learn to fear Jehovah your God, as long as ye live in the land whither ye go over the Jordan to possess it.

2 Kings

2 Kings 4:23

23 And he said, Wherefore wilt thou go to him to-day? it is neither new moon nor sabbath. And she said, It shall be well.

2 Kings 11:5-9

5 And he commanded them, saying, This is the thing that ye shall do: a third part of you, that come in on the sabbath, shall be keepers of the watch of the king’s house;

6 and a third part shall be at the gate Sur; and a third part at the gate behind the guard: so shall ye keep the watch of the house, and be a barrier.

7 And the two companies of you, even all that go forth on the sabbath, shall keep the watch of the house of Jehovah about the king.

8 And ye shall compass the king round about, every man with his weapons in his hand; and he that cometh within the ranks, let him be slain: and be ye with the king when he goeth out, and when he cometh in.

9 And the captains over hundreds did according to all that Jehoiada the priest commanded; and they took every man his men, those that were to come in on the sabbath, with those that were to go out on the sabbath, and came to Jehoiada the priest.

2 Kings 16:18

18 And the covered way for the sabbath that they had built in the house, and the king’s entry without, turned he unto the house of Jehovah, because of the king of Assyria.

1 Chronicles

1 Chronicles 9:32

32 And some of their brethren, of the sons of the Kohathites, were over the showbread, to prepare it every sabbath.

1 Chronicles 23:31

31 and to offer all burnt-offerings unto Jehovah, on the sabbaths, on the new moons, and on the set feasts, in number according to the ordinance concerning them, continually before Jehovah;

2 Chronicles

2 Chronicles 2:4

4 Behold, I am about to build a house for the name of Jehovah my God, to dedicate it to him, and to burn before him incense of sweet spices, and for the continual showbread, and for the burnt-offerings morning and evening, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the set feasts of Jehovah our God. This is an ordinance for ever to Israel.

2 Chronicles 8:13

13 even as the duty of every day required, offering according to the commandment of Moses, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the set feasts, three times in the year, even in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles.

2 Chronicles 23:4,8

4 This is the thing that ye shall do: a third part of you, that come in on the sabbath, of the priests and of the Levites, shall be porters of the thresholds;

8 So the Levites and all Judah did according to all that Jehoiada the priest commanded: and they took every man his men, those that were to come in on the sabbath; with those that were to go out on the sabbath; for Jehoiada the priest dismissed not the courses.

2 Chronicles 31:3

3 He appointed also the king’s portion of his substance for the burnt-offerings, to wit, for the morning and evening burnt-offerings, and the burnt-offerings for the sabbaths, and for the new moons, and for the set feasts, as it is written in the law of Jehovah.

2 Chronicles 36:21

21 to fulfil the word of Jehovah by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed its sabbaths: for as long as it lay desolate it kept sabbath, to fulfil threescore and ten years.

Nehemiah

Nehemiah 9:14

14 and madest known unto them thy holy sabbath, and commandedst them commandments, and statutes, and a law, by Moses thy servant,

Nehemiah 10:31

31 and if the peoples of the land bring wares or any grain on the sabbath day to sell, that we would not buy of them on the sabbath, or on a holy day; and that we would forego the seventh year, and the exaction of every debt.

Nehemiah 10:33

33 for the showbread, and for the continual meal-offering, and for the continual burnt-offering, for the sabbaths, for the new moons, for the set feasts, and for the holy things, and for the sin-offerings to make atonement for Israel, and for all the work of the house of our God.

Nehemiah 13:15-22

15 In those days saw I in Judah some men treading winepresses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses therewith; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals.

16 There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, who brought in fish, and all manner of wares, and sold on the sabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem.

17 Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day?

18 Did not your fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city? yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the sabbath.

19 And it came to pass that, when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the sabbath, I commanded that the doors should be shut, and commanded that they should not be opened till after the sabbath: and some of my servants set I over the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the sabbath day.

20 So the merchants and sellers of all kind of wares lodged without Jerusalem once or twice.

21 Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the sabbath.

22 And I commanded the Levites that they should purify themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember unto me, O my God, this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy lovingkindness.

Psalm

Psalm 92

1 A Psalm, a Song for the sabbath day. It is a good thing to give thanks unto Jehovah, And to sing praises unto thy name, O Most High;

2 To show forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, And thy faithfulness every night,

3 With an instrument of ten strings, and with the psaltery; With a solemn sound upon the harp.

4 For thou, Jehovah, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands.

5 How great are thy works, O Jehovah! Thy thoughts are very deep.

6 A brutish man knoweth not; Neither doth a fool understand this:

7 When the wicked spring as the grass, And when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; It is that they shall be destroyed for ever.

8 But thou, O Jehovah, art on high for evermore.

9 For, lo, thine enemies, O Jehovah, For, lo, thine enemies shall perish; All the workers of iniquity shall be scattered.

10 But my horn hast thou exalted like the horn of the wild-ox: I am anointed with fresh oil.

11 Mine eye also hath seen my desire on mine enemies, Mine ears have heard my desire of the evil-doers that rise up against me.

12 The righteous shall flourish like the palm-tree: He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

13 They are planted in the house of Jehovah; They shall flourish in the courts of our God.

14 They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; They shall be full of sap and green:

15 To show that Jehovah is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.

Isaiah

Isaiah 1:13

13 Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; new moon and sabbath, the calling of assemblies,—I cannot away with iniquity and the solemn meeting.

Isaiah 56:2

2 Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that holdeth it fast; that keepeth the sabbath from profaning it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil.

Isaiah 56:4

4 For thus saith Jehovah of the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and hold fast my covenant:

Isaiah 56:6

6 Also the foreigners that join themselves to Jehovah, to minister unto him, and to love the name of Jehovah, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from profaning it, and holdeth fast my covenant;

Isaiah 58:13-14

13 If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, and the holy of Jehovah honorable; and shalt honor it, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:

14 then shalt thou delight thyself in Jehovah; and I will make thee to ride upon the high places of the earth; and I will feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of Jehovah hath spoken it.

Isaiah 66:23

23 And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith Jehovah.

Jeremiah

Jeremiah 17:19-27

19 Thus said Jehovah unto me: Go, and stand in the gate of the children of the people, whereby the kings of Judah come in, and by which they go out, and in all the gates of Jerusalem;

20 and say unto them, Hear ye the word of Jehovah, ye kings of Judah, and all Judah, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, that enter in by these gates:

21 Thus saith Jehovah, Take heed to yourselves, and bear no burden on the sabbath day, nor bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem;

22 neither carry forth a burden out of your houses on the sabbath day, neither do ye any work: but hallow ye the sabbath day, as I commanded your fathers.

23 But they hearkened not, neither inclined their ear, but made their neck stiff, that they might not hear, and might not receive instruction.

24 And it shall come to pass, if ye diligently hearken unto me, saith Jehovah, to bring in no burden through the gates of this city on the sabbath day, but to hallow the sabbath day, to do no work therein;

25 then shall there enter in by the gates of this city kings and princes sitting upon the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, they, and their princes, the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and this city shall remain for ever.

26 And they shall come from the cities of Judah, and from the places round about Jerusalem, and from the land of Benjamin, and from the lowland, and from the hill-country, and from the South, bringing burnt-offerings, and sacrifices, and meal-offerings, and frankincense, and bringing sacrifices of thanksgiving, unto the house of Jehovah.

27 But if ye will not hearken unto me to hallow the sabbath day, and not to bear a burden and enter in at the gates of Jerusalem on the sabbath day; then will I kindle a fire in the gates thereof, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched.

Lamentations

Lamentations 1:7

7 Jerusalem remembereth in the days of her affliction and of her miseries all her pleasant things that were from the days of old: When her people fell into the hand of the adversary, and none did help her, The adversaries saw her, they did mock at her desolations.

Lamentations 2:6

6 And he hath violently taken away his tabernacle, as if it were of a garden; he hath destroyed his place of assembly: Jehovah hath caused solemn assembly and sabbath to be forgotten in Zion, And hath despised in the indignation of his anger the king and the priest.

Ezekiel

Ezekiel 20:12-13

12 Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am Jehovah that sanctifieth them.

13 But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness: they walked not in my statutes, and they rejected mine ordinances, which if a man keep, he shall live in them; and my sabbaths they greatly profaned. Then I said I would pour out my wrath upon them in the wilderness, to consume them.

Ezekiel 20:16

16 because they rejected mine ordinances, and walked not in my statutes, and profaned my sabbaths: for their heart went after their idols.

Ezekiel 20:20-21

20 and hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am Jehovah your God.

21 But the children rebelled against me; they walked not in my statutes, neither kept mine ordinances to do them, which if a man do, he shall live in them; they profaned my sabbaths. Then I said I would pour out my wrath upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the wilderness.

Ezekiel 20:24

24 because they had not executed mine ordinances, but had rejected my statutes, and had profaned my sabbaths, and their eyes were after their fathers’ idols.

Ezekiel 22:8

8 Thou hast despised my holy things, and hast profaned my sabbaths.

Ezekiel 22:26

26 Her priests have done violence to my law, and have profaned my holy things: they have made no distinction between the holy and the common, neither have they caused men to discern between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.

Ezekiel 23:38

38 Moreover this they have done unto me: they have defiled my sanctuary in the same day, and have profaned my sabbaths.

Ezekiel 44:24

24 And in a controversy they shall stand to judge; according to mine ordinances shall they judge it: and they shall keep my laws and my statutes in all my appointed feasts; and they shall hallow my sabbaths.

Ezekiel 45:17

17 And it shall be the prince’s part to give the burnt-offerings, and the meal-offerings, and the drink-offerings, in the feasts, and on the new moons, and on the sabbaths, in all the appointed feasts of the house of Israel: he shall prepare the sin-offering, and the meal-offering, and the burnt-offering, and the peace-offerings, to make atonement for the house of Israel.

Ezekiel 46:1

1 Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: The gate of the inner court that looketh toward the east shall be shut the six working days; but on the sabbath day it shall be opened, and on the day of the new moon it shall be opened.

Ezekiel 46:3-4

3 And the people of the land shall worship at the door of that gate before Jehovah on the sabbaths and on the new moons.

4 And the burnt-offering that the prince shall offer unto Jehovah shall be on the sabbath day six lambs without blemish and a ram without blemish;

Ezekiel 46:12

12 And when the prince shall prepare a freewill-offering, a burnt-offering or peace-offerings as a freewill-offering unto Jehovah, one shall open for him the gate that looketh toward the east; and he shall prepare his burnt-offering and his peace-offerings, as he doth on the sabbath day: then he shall go forth; and after his going forth one shall shut the gate.

Hosea

Hosea 2:11

11 I will also cause all her mirth to cease, her feasts, her new moons, and her sabbaths, and all her solemn assemblies.

Amos

Amos 8:5

5 saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell grain? and the sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and dealing falsely with balances of deceit;

New Testament

32 references

The New Testament passages show Sabbath settings in synagogues, Jesus teaching and healing on the Sabbath, disputes about lawful Sabbath conduct, burial timing before the Sabbath, and apostolic preaching in synagogues on Sabbath days.

Matthew

Matthew 12:1-14

1 At that season Jesus went on the sabbath day through the grainfields; and his disciples were hungry and began to pluck ears and to eat.

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

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

4 how he entered into the house of God, and ate the showbread, which it was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them that were with him, but only for the priests?

5 Or have ye not read in the law, that on the sabbath day the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are guiltless?

6 But I say unto you, that one greater than the temple is here.

7 But if ye had known what this meaneth, I desire mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.

8 For the Son of man is lord of the sabbath.

9 And he departed thence, and went into their synagogue:

10 and behold, a man having a withered hand. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day? that they might accuse him.

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

12 How much then is a man of more value than a sheep! Wherefore it is lawful to do good on the sabbath day.

13 Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, as the other.

14 But the Pharisees went out, and took counsel against him, how they might destroy him.

Matthew 24:20

20 And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on a sabbath:

Matthew 28:1

1 Now late on the sabbath day, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.

Mark

Mark 1:21

21 And they go into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue and taught.

Mark 2:23-28

23 And it came to pass, that he was going on the sabbath day through the grainfields; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears.

24 And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?

25 And he said unto them, Did ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was hungry, he, and they that were with him?

26 How he entered into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest, and ate the showbread, which it is not lawful to eat save for the priests, and gave also to them that were with him?

27 And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:

28 so that the Son of man is lord even of the sabbath.

Mark 3:1-6

1 And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there who had his hand withered.

2 And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him.

3 And he saith unto the man that had his hand withered, Stand forth.

4 And he saith unto them, Is it lawful on the sabbath day to do good, or to do harm? to save a life, or to kill? But they held their peace.

5 And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved at the hardening of their heart, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he stretched it forth; and his hand was restored.

6 And the Pharisees went out, and straightway with the Herodians took counsel against him, how they might destroy him.

Mark 6:2

2 And when the sabbath was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, Whence hath this man these things? and, What is the wisdom that is given unto this man, and what mean such mighty works wrought by his hands?

Mark 15:42

42 And when even was now come, because it was the Preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath,

Mark 16:1

1 And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, that they might come and anoint him.

Luke

Luke 4:16

16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and he entered, as his custom was, into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up to read.

Luke 4:31

31 And he came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee. And he was teaching them on the sabbath day:

Luke 6:1-11

1 Now it came to pass on a sabbath, that he was going through the grainfields; and his disciples plucked the ears, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands.

2 But certain of the Pharisees said, Why do ye that which it is not lawful to do on the sabbath day?

3 And Jesus answering them said, Have ye not read even this, what David did, when he was hungry, he, and they that were with him;

4 how he entered into the house of God, and took and ate the showbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat save for the priests alone?

5 And he said unto them, The Son of man is lord of the sabbath.

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

7 And the scribes and the Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath; that they might find how to accuse him.

8 But he knew their thoughts; and he said to the man that had his hand withered. Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth.

9 And Jesus said unto them, I ask you, is it lawful on the sabbath to do good, or to do harm? to save a life, or to destroy it?

10 And he looked round about on them all, and said unto him, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored.

11 But they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus.

Luke 13:10-17

10 And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath day.

11 And behold, a woman that had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years; and she was bowed together, and could in no wise lift herself up.

12 And when Jesus saw her, he called her, and said to her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.

13 And he laid his hands upon her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.

14 And the ruler of the synagogue, being moved with indignation because Jesus had healed on the sabbath, answered and said to the multitude, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the day of the sabbath.

15 But the Lord answered him, and said, Ye hypocrites, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering?

16 And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan had bound, lo, these eighteen years, to have been loosed from this bond on the day of the sabbath?

17 And as he said these things, all his adversaries were put to shame: and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.

Luke 14:1-6

1 And it came to pass, when he went into the house of one of the rulers of the Pharisees on a sabbath to eat bread, that they were watching him.

2 And behold, there was before him a certain man that had the dropsy.

3 And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath, or not?

4 But they held their peace. And he took him, and healed him, and let him go.

5 And he said unto them, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a well, and will not straightway draw him up on a sabbath day?

6 And they could not answer again unto these things.

Luke 23:54-56

54 And it was the day of the Preparation, and the sabbath drew on.

55 And the women, who had come with him out of Galilee, followed after, and beheld the tomb, and how his body was laid.

56 And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments.And on the sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

John

John 5:9-18

9 And straightway the man was made whole, and took up his bed and walked.Now it was the sabbath on that day.

10 So the Jews said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath, and it is not lawful for thee to take up thy bed.

11 But he answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk.

12 They asked him, Who is the man that said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk?

13 But he that was healed knew not who it was; for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in the place.

14 Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing befall thee.

15 The man went away, and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him whole.

16 And for this cause the Jews persecuted Jesus, because he did these things on the sabbath.

17 But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh even until now, and I work.

18 For this cause therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only brake the sabbath, but also called God his own Father, making himself equal with God.

John 7:22-23

22 Moses hath given you circumcision (not that it is of Moses, but of the fathers); and on the sabbath ye circumcise a man.

23 If a man receiveth circumcision on the sabbath, that the law of Moses may not be broken; are ye wroth with me, because I made a man every whit whole on the sabbath?

John 9:14-16

14 Now it was the sabbath on the day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes.

15 Again therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he received his sight. And he said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and I see.

16 Some therefore of the Pharisees said, This man is not from God, because he keepeth not the sabbath. But others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such signs? And there was a division among them.

John 19:31

31 The Jews therefore, because it was the Preparation, that the bodies should not remain on the cross upon the sabbath (for the day of that sabbath was a high day), asked of Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.

Acts

Acts 1:12

12 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is nigh unto Jerusalem, a sabbath day’s journey off.

Acts 13:14

14 But they, passing through from Perga, came to Antioch of Pisidia; and they went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.

Acts 13:27

27 For they that dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him.

Acts 13:42

42 And as they went out, they besought that these words might be spoken to them the next sabbath.

Acts 13:44

44 And the next sabbath almost the whole city was gathered together to hear the word of God.

Acts 15:21

21 For Moses from generations of old hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath.

Acts 16:13

13 And on the sabbath day we went forth without the gate by a river side, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down, and spake unto the women that were come together.

Acts 17:2

2 and Paul, as his custom was, went in unto them, and for three sabbath days reasoned with them from the Scriptures,

Acts 18:4

4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded Jews and Greeks.

Romans

Romans 14:5-6

5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let each man be fully assured in his own mind.

6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord: and he that eateth, eateth unto the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, unto the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.

Galatians

Galatians 4:9-10

9 but now that ye have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how turn ye back again to the weak and beggarly rudiments, whereunto ye desire to be in bondage over again?

10 Ye observe days, and months, and seasons, and years.

Colossians

Colossians 2:16-17

16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a feast day or a new moon or a sabbath day:

17 which are a shadow of the things to come; but the body is Christ’s.

Hebrews

Hebrews 4:1-11

1 Let us fear therefore, lest haply, a promise being left of entering into his rest, any one of you should seem to have come short of it.

2 For indeed we have had good tidings preached unto us, even as also they: but the word of hearing did not profit them, because it was not united by faith with them that heard.

3 For we who have believed do enter into that rest; even as he hath said, As I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest:although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

4 For he hath said somewhere of the seventh day on this wise, And God rested on the seventh day from all his works;

5 and in this place again, They shall not enter into my rest.

6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some should enter thereinto, and they to whom the good tidings were before preached failed to enter in because of disobedience,

7 he again defineth a certain day, To-day, saying in David so long a time afterward (even as hath been said before), To-day if ye shall hear his voice, Harden not your hearts.

8 For if Joshua had given them rest, he would not have spoken afterward of another day.

9 There remaineth therefore a sabbath rest for the people of God.

10 For he that is entered into his rest hath himself also rested from his works, as God did from his.

11 Let us therefore give diligence to enter into that rest, that no man fall after the same example of disobedience.

Additional New Testament Context

These passages are adjacent to Sabbath study because they mention Preparation, the first day of the week, regular Christian gathering, or Lord's day language. They are listed separately from the direct ASV Sabbath references above.

Matthew 27:57-66

Burial and tomb-guard narrative around Preparation and the next day; useful alongside the Sabbath chronology in the resurrection narratives.

Mark 16:2, 9

First-day-of-the-week resurrection references following the statement that the Sabbath had passed in Mark 16:1.

Luke 24:1

First-day-of-the-week visit to the tomb immediately after Luke 23:56 says the women rested on the Sabbath.

John 19:14, 42; John 20:1, 19

Preparation and first-day references that help locate crucifixion, burial, and resurrection scenes in relation to Sabbath observance.

Acts 20:7

Describes disciples gathering to break bread on the first day of the week.

1 Corinthians 16:2

Mentions a first-day-of-the-week collection practice.

Revelation 1:10

Mentions the Lord's day; historically important for early Christian worship language, but the verse itself does not call it the Sabbath.

Luke 18:12

Uses week language that is relevant to the Greek term sabbaton; it is a language note rather than a Sabbath observance text.

Book of Mormon

The Book of Mormon references are concentrated in Nephite observance of the law of Moses and in Abinadi repeating the Sabbath commandment from the Decalogue.

Jarom 1:5

Describes Nephite observance of the law of Moses and keeping the Sabbath day holy.

And now, behold, two hundred years had passed away, and the people of Nephi had waxed strong in the land. They observed to keep the law of Moses and the sabbath day holy unto the Lord. And they profaned not; neither did they blaspheme. And the laws of the land were exceedingly strict.

Mosiah 13:16-19

Abinadi quotes the Sabbath commandment while teaching the priests of King Noah from the law of Moses.

Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work; But the seventh day, the sabbath of the Lord thy God, thou shalt not do any work... wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

Mosiah 18:23

Alma commands his people to observe the Sabbath day, keep it holy, and give thanks to God daily.

And he commanded them that they should observe the sabbath day, and keep it holy, and also every day they should give thanks to the Lord their God.

Mosiah 18:25

Describes one day in every week set apart for gathering, teaching, and worship among Alma's people.

And there was one day in every week that was set apart that they should gather themselves together to teach the people, and to worship the Lord their God, and also, as often as it was in their power, to assemble themselves together.

Alma 31:12

Mentions a one-day-per-week gathering called the day of the Lord in the Zoramite setting; the surrounding chapter is critical because it describes a criticized worship practice.

Now, when they had come into the land, behold, to their astonishment they found that the Zoramites had built synagogues, and that they did gather themselves together on one day of the week, which day they did call the day of the Lord; and they did worship after a manner which Alma and his brethren had never beheld;

Moroni 6:5-6

Not a named Sabbath text, but relevant to regular church gathering, fasting, prayer, speaking together, and partaking of bread and wine.

And the church did meet together oft, to fast and to pray, and to speak one with another concerning the welfare of their souls. And they did meet together oft to partake of bread and wine, in remembrance of the Lord Jesus.

Doctrine and Covenants

Doctrine and Covenants Sabbath-related passages use the language of the Lord's day, holy day, public worship, sacrament, rest from ordinary labor, and family instruction.

Doctrine and Covenants 59:9-16

A revelation dated August 7, 1831, instructs the Saints to go to the house of prayer, offer sacraments on the Lord's holy day, rest from ordinary labor, and prepare food with singleness of heart.

Doctrine and Covenants 68:29

Part of instructions to parents and families that includes observing the Sabbath and praying.

Doctrine and Covenants 84:23-24

Uses the biblical motif of entering into the rest of God in connection with Moses and Israel.

Pearl of Great Price

Pearl of Great Price creation accounts parallel Genesis by describing the completion of creation work, rest on the seventh time or day, and the sanctifying of that period.

Moses 3:2-3

Creation account in which God ends his work, rests on the seventh day, blesses the seventh day, and sanctifies it.

Abraham 5:1-3

Creation account in which the Gods finish their work, rest on the seventh time, and sanctify that time.

Factual Background

These notes give language and setting details that help readers identify what kind of Sabbath reference they are reading.

Hebrew word

The Hebrew word commonly rendered Sabbath is shabbath, related to the verb shabath, meaning to cease, desist, or rest.

Greek word

The New Testament Greek word sabbaton is a transliteration used for the Sabbath; in some contexts its plural form can also refer to a week.

Hebrews 4 term

Hebrews 4:9 uses sabbatismos, commonly rendered Sabbath rest or sabbath-rest, in a theological discussion of entering God's rest.

Latin word

Latin Christian and biblical usage has sabbatum, a borrowing through Greek from the Semitic Sabbath term.

Preparation day

The Gospel term Preparation refers to the day of preparation before a Sabbath or festival Sabbath; Mark 15:42 explicitly identifies it as the day before the Sabbath.

Evening reckoning

Leviticus 23:32 describes a Sabbath observance from evening to evening, matching the Jewish reckoning of days beginning at sundown.

Household rest

The Decalogue passages extend Sabbath rest beyond the individual Israelite to children, servants, livestock, and the sojourner within the gates.

Synagogue setting

In the Gospels and Acts, Sabbath scenes often occur in synagogues where scripture was read and taught publicly.

Sabbath day's journey

Acts 1:12 uses the phrase Sabbath day's journey, a traditional travel limit often described as about 2,000 cubits.

Land Sabbath

Leviticus 25 applies Sabbath language to agricultural years, commanding a seventh-year rest for the land.

Source notes

  • The Bible verse text is from the American Standard Version, a public-domain translation.
  • The Bible reference list is generated from the local Sabbath worksheet so the article stays aligned with the printable source.
  • Restoration scripture references are grouped separately because the current worksheet source is an ASV Bible document.