12:8

For: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For indicates that 12:8 is the basis for Jesus declaring that the disciples were innocent (12:7). It is also the basis for Jesus deciding what was allowed on the Sabbath (12:1–7).

Here are some other ways to translate this conjunction:

Because
-or-

⌊I say this⌋ because

In some languages, it may be natural to simply begin a new sentence here without translating the conjunction.

the Son of Man: Jesus used the title the Son of Man to refer to himself. In some languages it may be necessary to add the pronoun “I” to show that Jesus was referring to himself. For example:

I, the Son of Man (New Living Translation (1996))

This phrase also occurs in 8:20b, 9:6a, 10:23c, and 11:19a. For help in translating this phrase, see the note under 8:20b. See also Son of Man in Key Biblical Terms for more information.

is Lord of the Sabbath: In this context, the word Lord means “owner” or “the one in authority over (something).” It refers to Jesus’ authority over the Sabbath day. He had this authority because he was the Son of Man, whom God sent. He had the authority to decide what people could or could not do on the Sabbath day.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

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 Sabbath.

-or-

I…have the authority to say what people are allowed to do on the Sabbath.

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