Matthew 12:1-8 - Plucking Grain On The Sabbath

¹ Jesus' disciples were hungry. It was Sabbath day and yet Jesus and his disciples went through the grain fields plucking ears and eating them. ² The Pharisees saw it and said to him: Your disciples do that which it is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.

³ He replied to them: Have you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? ⁴ He entered into the house of God, and he and his companions ate the showbread (holy bread), which it was not lawful for them to eat. It was only lawful for the priests. ⁵ Have you read the law that on the Sabbath day the priests in the Temple profane the Sabbath, and are guiltless? ⁶ I say to you, one greater than the Temple is here. ⁷ If you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless. ⁸ For the Son of man is Lord of the Sabbath.

²³ Jesus went through the grain fields on the Sabbath day. While they walked his disciples took the heads of grain. ²⁴ The Pharisees said: Why are they doing what it is not right to do on the Sabbath?

²⁵ He said: Do you not know of what David did when he needed food for himself and his companions? ²⁶ He went into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest. David took the holy bread for food and gave to his companions. Only the priests may take the holy bread. ²⁷ The Sabbath was made for man, said Jesus, and not man for the Sabbath. ²⁸ The Son of man is lord even of the Sabbath.

¹ Jesus and his disciples went through the grain fields on a Sabbath. His disciples plucked the ears, rubbed them in their hands and ate. ² Some of the Pharisees asked: Why do you do what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath day?

³ Jesus answered: Have you not read what David did when he was hungry. He and his companions, ⁴ entered into the house of God. They and the others with them ate the showbread (holy bread). It is only lawful for the priest to eat it. ⁵ He continued: The Son of man is lord of the Sabbath.