The Bible teaches that the Sabbath is a day of rest, worship, and spiritual renewal, not a day of burdensome rules. You’re commanded to stop working, avoid business activities, and set the day apart as holy (Exodus 20:8–10). But it’s not just about what you can’t do—the Sabbath is also a time to rest, enjoy God’s creation, spend time with loved ones, and do good, just as Jesus did (Matthew 12:12).
Whether you’re new to Sabbath-keeping or re-evaluating how you observe it, understanding what Scripture actually says can help you approach it with clarity and purpose. Keep reading for a deeper dive into what you can and can’t do on the Sabbath—and how to make it a life-giving part of your week.
If you’ve ever wondered what the Bible really says about keeping the Sabbath, you’re not alone. There’s a lot of confusion, especially with different Christian traditions teaching different things. Some say you shouldn’t work, others say you can’t even cook or turn on a light switch. But what does Scripture actually say?
Let’s break it down clearly—what you can and can’t do on the Sabbath, according to the Bible.
What Is the Sabbath?
Before jumping into the do’s and don’ts, let’s define what the Sabbath is.
The Sabbath is the seventh day of the week, established by God as a day of rest.
“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God.” – Exodus 20:8-10 (ESV)
This command is one of the Ten Commandments. God Himself rested on the seventh day after creating the world (Genesis 2:2–3), setting an example.
In Jewish tradition, the Sabbath (or Shabbat) begins at sunset on Friday and ends at sunset on Saturday.
What You Can’t Do on the Sabbath
Let’s start with the prohibitions. The Bible gives specific guidelines about what not to do.
1. You Can’t Work
This is the central rule.
“On it you shall not do any work…” – Exodus 20:10
Work here refers to regular labor—what you do for income or physical effort related to your job or trade. For example:
- Farmers weren’t to plow or harvest (Exodus 34:21)
- Merchants weren’t to sell goods (Nehemiah 10:31)
- People weren’t to gather firewood (Numbers 15:32–36)
In fact, God was so serious about Sabbath observance in the Old Testament that breaking it was punishable by death (Exodus 31:14–15).
2. No Buying or Selling
This might surprise some people, but commerce was also forbidden.
“If the peoples of the land bring in goods or grain on the Sabbath day to sell, we will not buy from them on the Sabbath…” – Nehemiah 10:31
This means activities like shopping, doing business, or even operating a business are not in line with Sabbath principles.
3. No Kindling Fire
The Israelites were told not to light a fire in their homes on the Sabbath (Exodus 35:3). Some interpret this to mean no cooking or baking. Others extend it to modern-day actions like driving (since cars use combustion engines) or turning on electronics.
The principle here is to avoid unnecessary work.
4. No Burden Carrying
Jeremiah 17:21–22 says:
“Do not bring a load out of your houses or do any work on the Sabbath…”
This means no transporting goods or heavy lifting. In Jesus’ time, Pharisees took this to extremes—even counting how many steps you could take.
What You Can Do on the Sabbath
So what’s allowed? Actually, a lot. The Sabbath isn’t meant to be a burden—it’s a blessing.
“The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” – Mark 2:27
Here’s what the Bible says you can do:
1. You Can Rest
This is the point of the Sabbath—to pause, stop working, and recharge.
“Six days do your work, but on the seventh day do not work, so that your ox and your donkey may rest, and so that the slave born in your household and the foreigner living among you may be refreshed.” – Exodus 23:12
God designed Sabbath for your physical, mental, and spiritual rest.
2. You Can Worship and Learn
Jesus regularly taught and worshiped on the Sabbath (Luke 4:16).
In the early church, believers gathered for worship, prayer, and reading Scripture on the Sabbath. It’s a day to refocus on God.
3. You Can Do Good
This is big. Jesus challenged the idea that the Sabbath was just about not working. He made it clear that doing good was absolutely allowed.
“It is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” – Matthew 12:12
Jesus healed people on the Sabbath (Luke 13:10–17, John 5:8–9). His point? Mercy and compassion aren’t restricted by the Sabbath law.
So helping someone in need, caring for others, or showing kindness—all fair game.
4. You Can Eat and Enjoy Time with Others
Jesus and His disciples picked grain and ate on the Sabbath (Mark 2:23–28). This wasn’t seen as breaking the law because it wasn’t about labor—it was about basic needs.
Sharing meals, enjoying time with family, and delighting in God’s creation are all in the spirit of the Sabbath.
What About Modern Life?
You might wonder: How do I apply this today?
Here’s a simple breakdown for how you can honor the Sabbath in the 21st century:
Avoid:
- Paid work (your job, business, side hustle)
- Shopping, ordering food, online buying
- House chores (laundry, deep cleaning)
- Driving for errands or travel unless necessary
- Digital distractions that pull your focus away from rest
Embrace:
- Worship, prayer, Scripture reading
- Rest (take a nap, relax)
- Time in nature
- Fellowship with family or church community
- Acts of kindness or service
- Reflecting on God’s goodness
What Did Jesus Say About the Sabbath?
Jesus upheld the Sabbath but criticized the Pharisees for making it a burden.
“You hypocrites! Doesn’t each of you on the Sabbath untie your ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water?” – Luke 13:15
He reminded people that the Sabbath was meant to bless, not enslave.
Jesus never broke the Sabbath—He simply brought people back to its original purpose: rest, worship, and doing good.
Is the Sabbath Still Required Today?
Some Christians believe the Sabbath command doesn’t apply anymore, or that Sunday has replaced Saturday as the day of rest.
Others (like Seventh-day Adventists and some Messianic Jews) strictly keep the Saturday Sabbath.
The Bible doesn’t say the Sabbath was abolished. In fact, Isaiah 66:23 prophesies that in the new heavens and new earth:
“From one Sabbath to another, all mankind will come and bow down before me…”
The New Testament doesn’t cancel the Sabbath. Instead, it emphasizes that our rest is found in Christ (Hebrews 4:9–10), and that how we observe the Sabbath should be led by the Spirit, not legalism.
Final Thoughts
So, what does the Bible say you can and can’t do on the Sabbath?
You can’t:
- Work your job
- Shop or sell
- Do household labor
- Engage in business
You can:
- Rest
- Worship
- Learn and reflect
- Help others
- Enjoy meals and community
The Sabbath isn’t just about rules. It’s a gift—a weekly reset designed by God for your good.
Take it seriously, but don’t let it weigh you down. Instead, let it lift you up and draw you closer to the God who made you.
If you’re trying to honor the Sabbath in your life, start small. Set aside one day to rest from work and focus on God. That’s what the Bible truly calls for.
And that’s something we could all use more of.
FAQs: What Does the Bible Say You Can and Can’t Do on the Sabbath?
1. What is considered “work” on the Sabbath according to the Bible?
In the Bible, “work” refers to your regular job, trade, or physical labor (Exodus 20:10). This includes things like farming, carrying loads, conducting business, or anything tied to earning income or completing chores.
2. Can I cook or clean on the Sabbath?
Cooking and cleaning were restricted in the Old Testament (Exodus 16:23, Exodus 35:3). Many believe light preparation is acceptable if it’s not burdensome. The focus is on avoiding labor-intensive work and preserving rest.
3. Is it a sin to shop or buy things on the Sabbath?
Yes, the Bible specifically prohibits buying and selling on the Sabbath (Nehemiah 10:31). Shopping, ordering food, or running errands falls under forbidden business activity.
4. What day is the Sabbath according to the Bible?
Biblically, the Sabbath is the seventh day, which is Saturday (Genesis 2:2–3, Exodus 20:8–11). It begins at sunset Friday and ends at sunset Saturday.
5. Did Jesus break the Sabbath?
No, Jesus never broke the Sabbath. He corrected misunderstandings about it and emphasized mercy over strict legalism (Mark 2:27, Matthew 12:12). He healed and did good, showing the Sabbath is meant to bless, not burden.
6. Can I use electricity, drive, or watch TV on the Sabbath?
The Bible doesn’t mention modern technologies directly. However, principles apply: avoid anything that feels like work, distraction, or commerce. Focus on rest, worship, and what draws you closer to God.
7. Can I help others or volunteer on the Sabbath?
Yes, doing good is encouraged on the Sabbath. Jesus healed the sick and helped people, saying it’s lawful to do good on the Sabbath (Matthew 12:12). Acts of service are in line with God’s intent for the day.
8. Is the Sabbath still required for Christians today?
The Sabbath command hasn’t been abolished in Scripture. While some argue it’s fulfilled in Christ (Hebrews 4:9–10), many believe it’s still relevant as a spiritual discipline and part of God’s rhythm for life.
9. What if my job requires me to work on the Sabbath?
It’s a personal and prayerful decision. Some jobs (e.g. medical, emergency) are necessary. In those cases, many believers choose another day to rest and worship. The goal is honoring the Sabbath principle, not just a specific day.
10. How do I start observing the Sabbath properly?
Start by setting aside one day a week—ideally Saturday or another consistent day—to stop working, worship, rest, and refocus. Plan ahead, avoid shopping or chores, and spend time with God and loved ones.
