1
About that time Jesus passed on the Sabbath through the wheatfields; and His disciples became hungry, and began to gather ears of wheat and eat them.
2
But the Pharisees saw it and said to Him, "Look! your disciples are doing what the Law forbids them to do on the Sabbath."
3
"Have you never read," He replied, "what David did when he and his men were hungry?
4
how he entered the House of God and ate the Presented Loaves, which it was not lawful for him or his men to eat, nor for any except the priests?
5
And have you not read in the Law how on the Sabbath the priests in the Temple break the Sabbath without incurring guilt?
6
But I tell you that there is here that which is greater than the Temple.
7
And if you knew what this means, `It is mercy I desire, not sacrifice', you would not have condemned those who are without guilt.