What Does the Bible Say About Resting on the Sabbath? |

The Bible says that we should all take the Sabbath as a day off for resting. It is good for our health and spiritual life.

In this post, we’ll examine the biblical roots and meaning of Sabbath rest, explore how it has been practiced historically, and consider what Jesus Himself taught about it.

Table of Contents

Creation and the Fourth Commandment

The concept of the Sabbath begins in the very first chapters of the Bible, right at the dawn of creation. In Genesis 2:2-3, we read these foundational words:

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

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

This passage establishes a rhythm that echoes through all of Scripture.

Rest is not an afterthought; it is woven into the very fabric of creation. When God rested on the seventh day, He set a precedent—not because He was tired, but to model rest for humanity and mark it as holy.

This theme reemerges with more structure in the Ten Commandments, found in Exodus 20:8-11 and repeated in Deuteronomy 5:12-15.

“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:

But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work…”

This command attaches Sabbath observance to two major themes: the rhythm of creation and God’s act of liberation from slavery in Egypt (Deuteronomy 5:15).

The Sabbath is thus both a remembrance of God’s creative power and a celebration of freedom and rest.

It’s important to note that in the Old Testament, Sabbath rest was not merely about inactivity—it was a cessation from regular work, a day set apart for worship, contemplation, and community.

It was a gift, but also a command, reflecting both God’s priorities and His care for humanity’s well-being.

Purpose of the Sabbath

With these foundations, what exactly is the purpose of the Sabbath? The Bible reveals several interwoven purposes:

Rest and Renewal: Sabbath rest is fundamentally about stepping back from the daily grind to rest, both physically and spiritually. In Exodus and Deuteronomy, God frames the Sabbath as a reminder that life is more than endless productivity and toil. It is about pausing to recognize our dependence on Him.
Holiness and Reflection: The Sabbath is not just for relaxation but for holiness—being “set apart.” God blessed the seventh day and made it holy. On the Sabbath, ancient Israelites gathered for worship, reflection, and a deepening of spiritual life. This included communal gatherings and the reading of God’s Word (Leviticus 23:3; Nehemiah 8).
Equality and Compassion: The Sabbath law mandated rest for everyone: men, women, children, servants, foreigners, and even animals. In an ancient world marked by hierarchy and oppression, this was radical. Jesus later clarified that “the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27), underscoring God’s compassionate intent.
Remembering Rescue and Depends on God: The Sabbath was to remind the Israelites they were once slaves, and that now God was their provider and redeemer. Ceasing to work was a profound act of trust, acknowledging that their well-being ultimately depended on God, not their own endless labor.

Sabbath Observance

How did people actually observe the Sabbath in the Bible? In the Old Testament, Sabbath observance is strictly regulated. No work was to be done, including even lighting fires or preparing food (Exodus 35:3, Exodus 16:23-29). Instead, it was a time for worship, rest, and enjoying God’s provision.

As the centuries passed, Jewish tradition added detailed rules to clarify what constituted work—ranging from carrying certain objects to walking specific distances.

This sometimes led to legalistic extremes, where the original intent—rest and worship—could get overshadowed by burdensome regulations.

Yet for the faithful, it remained a cherished day of blessing, a taste of God’s peace and presence amid the demands of everyday life.

As Christianity emerged from its Jewish roots, the question of Sabbath observance became a point of debate.

Some early Christians, especially Jewish ones, continued to observe the Sabbath (Saturday), while others shifted their communal worship to Sunday, the day of Jesus’ resurrection. However, the Bible never mentions anything about the Sabbath being changed.

Jesus and the Sabbath

No biblical perspective on Sabbath rest would be complete without considering Jesus’ own relationship to the Sabbath.

Jesus regularly attended synagogue on the Sabbath (Luke 4:16) and observed rest as Scripture prescribed.

However, He also challenged legalistic interpretations that turned the Sabbath into a burden rather than a blessing.

In the Gospels, Jesus heals on the Sabbath, allowing His disciples to pick heads of grain, and famously declares, “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath” (Matthew 12:8).

When criticized, Jesus points out that acts of mercy—like rescuing a sheep or healing a suffering person—are appropriate on the Sabbath (Matthew 12:11-12; Luke 13:14-16).

For Jesus, the Sabbath was meant to serve humanity, not ensnare it in legalism. He taught that the deeper meaning of Sabbath isn’t found in following a list of rules, but in embracing God’s gift of rest, worship, and mercy.

Conclusion

So, what does the Bible say about resting on the Sabbath? At its core, the Bible presents the Sabbath as God’s gracious invitation to rest, worship, and trust Him.

From creation, through the commandments, and into the ministry of Jesus, Sabbath rest is shown to be a gift for all people—a rhythm of work and rest that draws us closer to God and one another.

God still expects us today to honor His holy Sabbath by doing no work on this day, nor our own pleasures. (Exodus 20:8-11, Isaiah 58:13-14)

My Letter To A Sunday Keeper – Sabbath Documentary