What does it mean that the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath? (Mark 2:27)

In Mark 2:27 Jesus says to the Pharisees: “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath”
What did Jesus mean?

The Pharisees where known for their strict and detailed adherence to the Jewish law, including Sabbath regulations. The Pharisees regarded the Sabbath day as a day of rest. However these Jewish leaders had created a complex system of man-made rules, regulations and interpretations about activities that can or cannot be done on the Sabbath day.
For example, the Pharisees had created a list of forbidden activities to be considered “work” on the Sabbath, such as carrying objects, tying knots, harvesting, writing letters, baking and so forth. The Pharisees’ interpretation of “work” activities on the Sabbath was so legalistic that it did not give room for common sense decisions and human compassion where required.
Jesus’ interactions with the Pharisees regarding the Sabbath often highlighted the tension between the Pharisees’ strict adherence to rules and Christ’s emphasis on common sense, compassion and learning to respond to human needs on the Sabbath day.
The legalism of the Pharisees was so bad, legalistic and uncompassionate that they objected for Jesus to heal anyone or perform a miracle on the Sabbath (Mark 3:1-5). Their devotion to their legalistic and unrealistic Sabbath rules was so strong, that the Pharisees eventually plotted to kill Jesus on account of Christ breaking their man-made Sabbath regulations (Mark 3:6).

By stating that “the Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath”, Jesus was teaching and emphasizing that the Sabbath day was mean to benefit humanity instead of restrict it.
Jesus prioritized human well-being and responding in compassion to human needs over strict adherence to their legalistic rules.
For example, In Mark 3:1-5 it is a Sabbath day and Jesus sees a man with a shriveled hand in the synagogue. Immediately there were some legalistic people who were looking to trap and accuse Jesus to see if He would heal the man with the shriveled hand on the Sabbath. In response to the legalistic observers, Jesus asks them a question: “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” (Mark 3:4).
By asking this question, Jesus is exposing the legalism of the Pharisees and emphasizing that doing good; showing compassion and responding to human needs is acceptable to God on the Sabbath.
Anything that is done to help our fellow human being and glorify God on the Sabbath should not be considered a violation of the Sabbath, because it is the will of God to do righteous acts on the Sabbath even if it violates man-made Sabbath rules.

Christ’s attitude towards the Sabbath was that rules and regulations were meant to serve humanity and not oppress humanity. Therefore the Sabbath day is not meant to be an oppressive day, but a day for freedom and flexibility. The Sabbath day was not meant to encourage legalism, but rather to encourage freedom in the Lord.

The man-made regulations that the Pharisees had created for the Sabbath day actually brought unrest, fear and lack of peace because of the strict adherence that was required.
The human mind and human spirit is not at rest when it is oppressed. The human mind and human spirit is not settled when it is under oppressive rules and regulations. Yet ironically, the Sabbath day was meant to be a day of rest that should transcend not only the bodily activities, but also minister to the soul and spirit. Hence Jesus said that the Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.