Today's Gospel in Art - The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath

The Disciples Pick Corn on the Sabbath, by Gustave Doré 1866-70 © Private Collection, London

Gospel of 21st January 2020 - Mark 2:23-28

One Sabbath day, Jesus happened to be taking a walk through the cornfields, and his disciples began to pick ears of corn as they went along. And the Pharisees said to him, 'Look, why are they doing something on the Sabbath day that is forbidden?' And he replied, 'Did you never read what David did in his time of need when he and his followers were hungry - how he went into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest, and ate the loaves of offering which only the priests are allowed to eat, and how he also gave some to the men with him?'

And he said to them, 'The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath; the Son of Man is master even of the Sabbath.'

Reflection on the Biblical Engraving

The engraving shown today, is from La Grande Bible de Tours, a series of 241 wood engravings designed by the French artist, Gustave Doré (1832-1883) for a new deluxe edition of the Bible which he issued in 1866. The illustrations were immensely successful and have been reproduced countless times worldwide, influencing the visual arts and popular culture in many ways. It is still a sumptuous book that everyone, from those interested in Scripture to lovers of great art, should consult from time to time, as it is so rich in vivid depictions of the main scenes in the Old and New Testament. Doré did not just rehash what artists in previous centuries had done, but he gave an entirely new and fresh visual interpretation of the Bible. To read on see: https://christianart.today/reading.php?id=303