Nehemiah 13:15
In those days saw I in Judah some treading wine presses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals.
This scene belongs to the reform carried out when Nehemiah returned from Persia to Jerusalem, after the influence of Ezra and Nehemiah had for a time been withdrawn and many in Judah had departed from the Lord and evils had crept in that threatened to pervert the nation. What was seen in Judah in those days was burdened donkeys with containers, bundles and sacks of goods being brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. More particularly it was treading wine presses on the Sabbath, bringing in sheaves, lading asses with wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, and selling victuals.
These were ordinary work for livelihood and profit, including labor and trade, that violated the Sabbath and showed open disregard of it and God's displeasure at its violation. The Sabbath was the sign distinguishing Israelites from all other nations as worshipers of the true God, whose observance Israel had grown careless of and unmindful of its ordinances as they separated from God and lost the true object of its institution. The violation came from intercourse with idolaters, as heathen merchants and traders coming to Jerusalem induced many Israelites to engage in traffic on the Sabbath. Some would not sacrifice principle, but others transgressed and joined with the heathen to overcome the scruples of the more conscientious, a condition the rulers allowed through neglect of duty from desire to advance their own interests.
Nehemiah testified against those selling victuals, showing such conduct violated the Sabbath. He directed the Levites to guard the gates and confronted and turned back the men carrying burdens at the entrance. Unlike this ordinary labor, the increased work of the priests in holy service with sacrificial offerings on the Sabbath did not violate the fourth commandment.