The biblical Sabbath, according to Jesus, is Saturday—the seventh day of the week. From creation to the Ten Commandments, Scripture consistently identifies this day as holy and set apart for rest and worship. Jesus Himself honored the Sabbath by teaching, healing, and worshiping on it, never once suggesting it should be changed. He reminded people that the Sabbath was made for our benefit—not as a burden, but as a gift.
Despite modern traditions pointing to Sunday, there’s no biblical evidence that Jesus or His apostles changed the Sabbath day. That shift came centuries later through Roman influence and church policy, not Scripture. If you’re serious about following Jesus’ example, exploring what He actually did and taught about the Sabbath is essential. Keep reading for a deeper dive into the history, scriptures, and significance of the Sabbath Jesus kept.
If you’ve ever wondered what day the Sabbath is according to Jesus, you’re not alone. Many Christians today keep Sunday as a day of worship, while others argue Saturday is the true Sabbath. But what did Jesus Himself say or practice? To answer that, we need to go straight to the Bible and look at what Jesus taught, what He did, and how the Sabbath was understood in His time.
Let’s break it down clearly and directly.
What Is the Sabbath?
The Sabbath is a weekly day of rest and worship. It was first introduced in Genesis:
“By the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on the seventh day He rested… Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy.” — Genesis 2:2-3 (NIV)
That seventh day was set apart from the very beginning. Later, it became one of the Ten Commandments:
“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping 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 (NIV)
It’s clear the Sabbath was not a new idea in Jesus’ time. It was a central part of Jewish life for centuries.
So What Day Is the Sabbath?
In simple terms: The biblical Sabbath is Saturday.
How do we know that?
- The seventh day of the week is Saturday in both Jewish and historical calendars.
- Jesus was Jewish, and He kept the Sabbath the same day the Jews did.
- Modern Jews still observe the Sabbath from Friday evening to Saturday evening, and that tradition hasn’t changed.
There’s no record in the Bible of Jesus ever changing the day of the Sabbath. In fact, He observed it faithfully.
Jesus and the Sabbath: What Did He Do?
Jesus didn’t ignore the Sabbath. He honored it, but He also taught people how to observe it correctly.
He Attended Worship on the Sabbath
“He went to Nazareth… and on the Sabbath day He went into the synagogue, as was His custom.” — Luke 4:16 (NIV)
This wasn’t a one-time thing. Jesus regularly went to synagogue on the Sabbath — just like everyone else.
He Taught and Healed on the Sabbath
Jesus often taught or healed on the Sabbath, and that got Him into trouble with the religious leaders. But His point was simple: The Sabbath was made for people, not as a burden, but as a blessing.
“The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.” — Mark 2:27-28 (NIV)
Jesus never broke the Sabbath. What He did break were the man-made traditions the Pharisees added.
Did Jesus Change the Sabbath to Sunday?
This is where confusion often starts.
Some believe that after His resurrection, Jesus changed the Sabbath to Sunday. But there’s no verse in the Bible that says Jesus, or even the apostles, changed the Sabbath.
Let’s look at the facts:
- Jesus rose from the dead on Sunday, the first day of the week (Luke 24:1).
- But the Bible never says that Sunday became the new Sabbath.
- The New Testament church continued to meet on the Sabbath (Acts 13:14, 17:2, 18:4).
Even Paul, after Jesus had already ascended, kept the Sabbath regularly.
“As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures.” — Acts 17:2 (NIV)
So, the idea that the Sabbath was moved to Sunday doesn’t come from Jesus or His apostles.
Why Do Most Christians Keep Sunday?
This change didn’t happen in Jesus’ time. It came centuries later.
A Brief History:
- Early Christians (1st century): Continued to worship on the Sabbath (Saturday).
- Roman influence (2nd–4th century): As Christianity spread in the Roman Empire, Sunday worship grew because Sunday was the day Romans honored the sun god.
- Emperor Constantine (321 AD): Issued a civil decree declaring Sunday as a day of rest.
- Church councils (e.g., Council of Laodicea, ~364 AD): Pushed Sunday observance and discouraged keeping Saturday Sabbath.
None of these changes were based on a command from Jesus. They were church traditions and political decisions.
What Does Jesus Want Us to Do?
Jesus taught that the Sabbath was a gift, not a burden. It’s a day for rest, worship, connection with God, and doing good.
He said:
“It is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” — Matthew 12:12 (NIV)
If you’re asking, “What day should I honor as the Sabbath if I want to follow Jesus?” — the answer is clear:
- Saturday is the Sabbath according to Jesus.
- He kept it.
- He taught on it.
- He never changed it.
Key Takeaways
Here’s a quick summary of what you need to remember:
1. The Sabbath is the seventh day — Saturday.
- This goes back to creation (Genesis 2:2-3).
- It’s affirmed in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:8-11).
2. Jesus kept the Sabbath.
- He worshipped, taught, and healed on Saturday (Luke 4:16, Mark 3:4).
- He never taught anyone to change the day.
3. The early church kept the Sabbath.
- Paul and other apostles observed it long after Jesus’ resurrection (Acts 17:2, 18:4).
4. Sunday worship came later.
- Influenced by Roman culture and church tradition.
- Not based on biblical commands.
What Should You Do Now?
That’s between you and God. But if your goal is to follow Jesus as closely as possible, then it makes sense to keep the Sabbath the way He did — on Saturday.
You don’t have to be Jewish. The Sabbath was made for all people (Mark 2:27). It’s not legalism — it’s rest. It’s obedience. And it’s a beautiful, weekly invitation from God.
Final Thoughts
Jesus never left us in the dark about the Sabbath. He lived it, loved it, and taught us its true purpose. The biblical Sabbath is still Saturday — and it’s not just a Jewish thing. It’s a Jesus thing.
“If you love Me, keep My commandments.” — John 14:15 (NIV)
If He kept the Sabbath, maybe it’s time we did too.
FAQs: What Day Is the Biblical Sabbath According to Jesus?
1. What day is the biblical Sabbath according to Jesus?
According to Jesus and the Bible, the Sabbath is the seventh day of the week, which is Saturday. Jesus kept and honored the Sabbath as it was originally commanded in the Old Testament.
2. Did Jesus ever change the Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday?
No, there’s no record in the Bible of Jesus changing the Sabbath to Sunday. He consistently kept the seventh-day Sabbath and taught its proper observance.
3. What did Jesus say about the Sabbath?
Jesus said, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). He emphasized that the Sabbath is a blessing, not a burden, and He used it as a time for teaching, healing, and doing good.
4. Why do most Christians observe Sunday instead of Saturday?
Sunday worship became common centuries after Jesus due to Roman influence and church traditions, not because of a command from Jesus or the apostles.
5. Did the apostles keep the Sabbath after Jesus’ resurrection?
Yes. The apostles, including Paul, continued to observe the Sabbath (Acts 13:14, 17:2, 18:4) long after Jesus’ death and resurrection.
6. Is Sunday called the Sabbath anywhere in the Bible?
No. The Bible never refers to Sunday as the Sabbath. It always identifies the seventh day (Saturday) as the Sabbath, even in the New Testament.
7. How did Jesus observe the Sabbath?
Jesus went to synagogue (Luke 4:16), taught from Scripture, healed people, and challenged the Pharisees’ man-made rules. He showed that the Sabbath is for doing good and connecting with God.
8. Was the Sabbath just for the Jews?
Jesus said the Sabbath was made for man (Mark 2:27), not just Jews. It was established at creation, long before Israel existed, as a gift for all humanity.
9. What happens if I choose to observe the Sabbath like Jesus?
You’ll be following Jesus’ own example, enjoying intentional rest, spiritual renewal, and a closer connection with God. It’s not legalism—it’s obedience and a blessing.
10. Is Saturday still the Sabbath today?
Yes. The weekly cycle has remained consistent. Saturday is still the seventh day of the week, and it remains the biblical Sabbath according to Jesus and the Scriptures.
