Matthew Poole and continuators on Matthew 12:8

8 For the Son of man is Lord, even of the sabbath day.

This Argument Luke hath, Ch. 6. v. 5. Mark hath it thus, Ch. 2.27, 28. And he said unto them, the Sabbath was made for Man, and not Man for the Sabbath. Therefore the Son of Man is Lord also of the Sabbath. Some Interpreters make these two Arguments, 1. The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath: Therefore it is in my Power, to dispense with this Action of my Disciples, tho it had been contrary to the letter of the Law: Or rather, Therefore it is in my Power to interpret the Law, which I my self made. 2. The Sabbath is made for Man, not Man for the Sabbath. A Law made for the good of another bindeth not, in such Cases where the Observation of it would be evidently for his Harm and Ruin. The Law of the Sabbath was made for the good of Man, that he might have a solemn time, in which he should be under an Obligation to pay his Homage unto God, this must not be so interpreted, as would tend to the Destruction of a man. I find Interpreters divided about that term the Son of Man. Some think that it is not to be interpreted, as usually in the Gospel concerning Christ. But of ordinary Men, and that Mans Lordship over the Sabbath, is proved by the Subserviency of it to his good, to which end also it was ordained. But certainly, that is both a Dangerous and unscriptural Interpretation, dangerous to give Man a Lordship over a Moral Law, for it is very improper to call any Lord of a thing, because he hath the use of it, and it is for his advantage; I cannot see but we may as well make Man Lord of the whole ten Commandements, as of one of them. Vnscriptural, for tho our Saviour useth this term more than threescore times in the Gospel, yet he always useth it with Relation to himself, never with reference to any meer Man: Neither is there any necessity to understand it otherwise here. Christ affirming himself Lord of the Sabbath, spake properly enough to the Pharisees Quarrel. For it must needs then follow, that he had Power to dispense with the Observation of it at particular times; and much more to give a true and right Interpretation of the Law concerning it.