6:5

Then Jesus declared: In 6:5 Jesus continued to speak, but his speech is introduced by the clause Then Jesus declared. This clause emphasizes Jesus’ conclusion to his story about David.

Use the expression that is used in your language when a teacher announces his conclusion. For example:

Jesus continued/concluded by saying
-or-
Jesus finished by saying (Contemporary English Version)

The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath is literally “Lord of Sabbath is the Son of Man.” The word Lord means “master” or “one who has authority,” and it is emphasized in this part of the verse.

In this context the word Lord refers to Jesus’ authority over the Sabbath day. Although the Sabbath was given by God, Jesus had authority over it. He had this right because he was the Son of Man, whom God sent. He had the right to decide what people could or could not do on the Sabbath day.

Some other ways to translate this are:

I…am master even of the Sabbath! (New Living Translation (1996))
-or-
I…have authority over the rest day.
-or-
I…have the right to decide what a person can do on the day for resting.
-or-
I…have the authority to say what people are allowed to do on the rest day.

The Son of Man: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as The Son of Man is literally “the Son of the human/person.” It is a title that Jesus often used to refer to himself. It implies that:

(a) he was a true human being, and he represented all people;

(b) he came from God and had authority from God.

Try to use an expression that implies both meanings. Some expressions that translators have used are:

the Man whom God Sent
-or-
the True Man from God/Heaven
-or-
the Representative of Mankind
-or-
The Older Brother of All People

In some languages, it may be necessary to use a form like “I” or “me” to indicate that Jesus was referring to himself. For example:

me, the Son of Man
-or-

I who became man/human

This term first occurs in Luke at 5:24a. Translate it the same way in both places. See also the Son of Man in Key Biblical Terms.

Sabbath: See the note on Sabbath at 6:1a for advice on translating the word Sabbath.

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