The Message Bible MSG
New International Version NIV
1 On a certain Sabbath Jesus was walking through a field of ripe grain. His disciples were pulling off heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands to get rid of the chaff, and eating them.
1
One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and his disciples began to pick some heads of grain, rub them in their hands and eat the kernels.
2 Some Pharisees said, "Why are you doing that, breaking a Sabbath rule?"
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Some of the Pharisees asked, “Why are you doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?”
3 But Jesus stood up for them. "Have you never read what David and those with him did when they were hungry?
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Jesus answered them, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry?
4 How he entered the sanctuary and ate fresh bread off the altar, bread that no one but priests were allowed to eat? He also handed it out to his companions."
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He entered the house of God, and taking the consecrated bread, he ate what is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions.”
5 Then he said, "The Son of Man is no slave to the Sabbath; he's in charge."
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Then Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”
6 On another Sabbath he went to the meeting place and taught. There was a man there with a crippled right hand.
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On another Sabbath he went into the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was shriveled.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.