In the Old Testament book of Jeremiah, a man
could be stoned for gathering up sticks on the
Sabbath. This was during the days that the
Israelites wandered in the wilderness.

But the reason was to protect them from a
life of unending work. It was a day to rest.

Now this man wished to carry his bed home.
He had been laying on it for 38 years. In no
way had he been over-working to break this law.
It may have been the only thing he owned,
and otherwise he would have to leave it behind.

So they continued to question him about the
man who told him to "take up his bed and
walk". But the man could not tell because
Jesus had left and gone away.