Matthew 12:1-8

1 At about that time Jesus was walking through some grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, so they began breaking off some heads of grain and eating them.
2 But some Pharisees saw them do it and protested, “Look, your disciples are breaking the law by harvesting grain on the Sabbath.”
3 Jesus said to them, “Haven’t you read in the Scriptures what David did when he and his companions were hungry?
4 He went into the house of God, and he and his companions broke the law by eating the sacred loaves of bread that only the priests are allowed to eat.
5 And haven’t you read in the law of Moses that the priests on duty in the Temple may work on the Sabbath?
6 I tell you, there is one here who is even greater than the Temple!
7 But you would not have condemned my innocent disciples if you knew the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’
8 For the Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath!”

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. Hos 6:6 (Greek version).
  • [b]. “Son of Man” is a title Jesus used for himself.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.