What does the Bible say about working on the Sabbath?

The Bible is clear about work on the Sabbath. It is forbidden. God told us to work six days of the week, but on the seventh day which is the Sabbath, there is no work to be done.

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, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:

For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
Exodus 20:8-11 KJV

Table of Contents

What does the Bible say about working on the Sabbath?

The Bible says the Sabbath is not a suitable day for working. This is God’s special and holy day, which He blessed and sanctified after the creation days. (Genesis 2:2-3)

It is the memorial of God’s creative powers! He wants us to stop our work on this day, and renew our relationship with Him!

We are to contemplate His creation and His gifts, His kindness, mercy towards us, and the sacrifice of His Son for our sins.

What is the biblical punishment for working on the Sabbath?

The Bible says that those who transgress the Law of God are sinning.

Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
1 John 3:4 KJV

And the wages of sin is death, says the Bible!

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 6:23 KJV

Because the Sabbath is the fourth commandment of God (Exodus 20:8-11), working on this holy day is sin.

The final punishment for sin is death.

However, Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins, and by His blood shed on the cross of Calvary, we can be forgiven and restored.

With the condition of confessing our sins, and leaving them.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9 KJV

What are 5 things you cannot do on the Sabbath?

While we do not want to go into rigid pharisaic rules of do’s and dont’s, the criteria is simple!

We are to do no work on the Sabbath – this can be shopping, cooking, cleaning, business transactions, building, etc.

The main principle of the Sabbath is rest! We have the other six days of the week to do our work!

The Pharisees have made an entire 39 rules of the Sabbath!

Yet God did not intend us to have a list with us on the Sabbath for things we can and cannot do on His holy day!

We are to enjoy His holy day of rest, and leave work aside!

Exceptions to Sabbath Work

The only exception to Sabbath work in the Bible we find is when Jesus healed others, and did good to those in need. (Matthew 12:10-13), (Luke 13:10-16)

We should do the same, as this is the real spirit of the Sabbath that God expects from us.

If those around us are in need, and we can help them, this is not considered work, especially for emergencies.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Bible is clear about working on the Sabbath. It is forbidden to do any work on the holy day of God.

We have the other six days of the week to take care of our shopping, cooking, cleaning and work.

But the Sabbath was not meant for work! It is the holy day of rest that God created and established forever for our benefit! He is a loving Father who knows what is best for us!

If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:

Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
Isaiah 58:13-14 KJV

My Letter To A Sunday Keeper – Sabbath Documentary