Mark 2:23

And it came to pass, that he went through the corn fields on the sabbath day; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn.

And {G2532} it came to pass {G1096}, that he {G846} went {G3899} through {G1223} the corn fields {G4702} on {G1722} the sabbath day {G4521}; and {G2532} his {G846} disciples {G3101} began {G756}, as they went {G3598}{G4160}, to pluck {G5089} the ears of corn {G4719}.

One Shabbat Yeshua was passing through some wheat fields; and as they went along, his talmidim began picking heads of grain.

One Sabbath Jesus was passing through the grainfields, and His disciples began to pick the heads of grain as they walked along.

And it came to pass, that he was going on the sabbath day through the grainfields; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears.

Commentary

Context of Mark 2:23

This verse opens a significant confrontation between Jesus and the religious authorities, specifically the Pharisees, regarding the observance of the Sabbath. Prior to this, Jesus had already demonstrated his authority by forgiving sins and healing a paralytic, and by associating with tax collectors and sinners. The scene takes place as Jesus and his disciples are walking through "corn fields" (meaning grain fields, like wheat or barley) on a Sabbath day. The simple act of the disciples plucking ears of grain to eat was interpreted by the Pharisees as breaking the Sabbath law, considering it a form of harvesting, which was forbidden labor on the holy day.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Sabbath Purpose vs. Human Need: This incident immediately sets the stage for Jesus' teaching on the true intent of the Sabbath. While the Old Testament commanded rest on the Sabbath (Exodus 20:8), the Pharisees had developed numerous elaborate rules and traditions around it, often overshadowing its original purpose of blessing, rest, and worship. The disciples' hunger highlights a basic human need, challenging the rigidity of these man-made interpretations.
  • Jesus' Authority Over the Sabbath: This passage is crucial in understanding Jesus' divine authority. He does not abolish the Sabbath but reinterprets its application, demonstrating that the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath. His subsequent defense, drawing from the example of David (Mark 2:25-26), shows that mercy and human well-being sometimes take precedence over strict ceremonial law.
  • Challenging Legalism: The encounter serves as a powerful critique of legalism, where adherence to the letter of the law, often based on human tradition, becomes more important than the spirit of the law or compassion. The Pharisees were more concerned with the disciples' actions violating their interpretation of the Sabbath than with their hunger or Jesus' ministry.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV term "corn fields" refers to fields of grain, such as wheat or barley, which were common crops in ancient Israel. It does not refer to maize (what Americans typically call corn). The act of "pluck[ing]" simply means to pick or break off by hand, indicating a casual act to satisfy immediate hunger, not a systematic harvesting operation using tools.

Practical Application

Mark 2:23, along with the subsequent verses, encourages believers to understand the spirit and intention behind God's commands rather than getting lost in rigid, man-made rules. It reminds us that God's heart is for mercy and compassion, and that true worship and obedience should never come at the expense of genuine human need or love. This passage challenges us to examine our own adherence to religious traditions, ensuring they align with God's loving character and the principles of the greatest commandments to love God and neighbor.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 12:1

    ¶ At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat.

  • Matthew 12:8

    For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.

  • Deuteronomy 23:24

    When thou comest into thy neighbour's vineyard, then thou mayest eat grapes thy fill at thine own pleasure; but thou shalt not put [any] in thy vessel.

  • Deuteronomy 23:25

    When thou comest into the standing corn of thy neighbour, then thou mayest pluck the ears with thine hand; but thou shalt not move a sickle unto thy neighbour's standing corn.

  • Luke 6:1

    ¶ And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he went through the corn fields; and his disciples plucked the ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing [them] in [their] hands.

  • Luke 6:5

    And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.