After pointing to the purpose of the Sabbath (v. 27) Christ directs attention to its Author, and thus to His own right to determine how that purpose shall best be realized.
Lord.
The Saviour Himself has the right to determine what is appropriate to that day; consequently, the Pharisees were exceeding their prerogatives (see v. 24). The church has no right to load the Sabbath with oppressive restrictions—as did the Jews—or to attempt the transfer of its sacredness from one day to another. Both are devices of the evil one designed to lure men away from the true spirit of Sabbath observance. Man has no right to tamper with the day of God’s choosing, whether he be Pharisee or Christian ecclesiastic.
Also.
Or, “even.” The complete line of reasoning Christ set before the caviling Pharisees is more clearly presented in the account given by Matthew, as follows:
(1) Human need is of more importance than ritual requirements or human traditions (see Matt. 12:3, 4).
(2) The labor performed in connection with the Temple service is in keeping with the requirements of the Sabbath day (see v. 5).
(3) Christ is greater than either the Temple (see v. 6) or the Sabbath day (see v. 8).