Matthew 12:1

KJV

¶ 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

At {G1722} that {G1565} time {G2540} Jesus {G2424} went {G4198} on the sabbath day {G4521} through {G1223} the corn {G4702}; and {G1161} his {G846} disciples {G3101} were an hungred {G3983}, and {G2532} began {G756} to pluck {G5089} the ears of corn {G4719}, and {G2532} to eat {G2068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

One Shabbat during that time, Yeshua was walking through some wheat fields. His talmidim were hungry, so they began picking heads of grain and eating them.

Berean Standard Bible

At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat them.

American Standard Version

At that season Jesus went on the sabbath day through the grainfields; and his disciples were hungry and began to pluck ears and to eat.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 12:1 initiates a pivotal confrontation between Jesus and the Pharisees, setting the stage for a profound discussion on the true meaning and purpose of the Sabbath. As Jesus and His disciples travel through a grain field on the Sabbath, the disciples, driven by hunger, pluck and eat ears of grain. This seemingly innocuous act, permitted by Mosaic Law for immediate consumption, is interpreted by the rigid Pharisaic tradition as a violation of their expanded Sabbath regulations, thus sparking a theological and practical dispute about human need versus legalistic adherence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as a crucial transition point in Matthew's Gospel. Following Jesus' powerful teachings and invitations to find rest in Him in [Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28-30 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary"), Chapter 12 immediately plunges into a series of controversies with the religious authorities, particularly the Pharisees. This incident regarding the Sabbath is the first of several encounters that highlight the growing tension between Jesus' kingdom ethic and the established religious system. It directly precedes Jesus' declaration of His authority over the Sabbath in [Matthew 12:8](/matthew/12-8 "Matthew 12:8 - Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath") and the subsequent healing of a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath, further escalating the conflict.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Sabbath, commanded in [Exodus 20:8-11](/exodus/20-8-11 "Exodus 20:8-11 - The Fourth Commandment") and [Deuteronomy 5:12-15](/deuteronomy/5-12-15 "Deuteronomy 5:12-15 - The Sabbath Commandment"), was a cornerstone of Jewish life, a day of rest consecrated to God. While the Mosaic Law provided the foundational principles, over centuries, Jewish religious leaders, especially the Pharisees, developed an intricate body of oral traditions (Halakha) that meticulously defined what constituted "work" on the Sabbath. These traditions often went far beyond the biblical text, creating a burdensome system of rules. Although [Deuteronomy 23:25](/deuteronomy/23-25 "Deuteronomy 23:25 - Plucking Grain Allowed") permitted travelers to pluck grain from a neighbor's field for immediate consumption, the Pharisees considered the act of plucking and rubbing the grain as forms of harvesting and threshing, thereby violating their expanded Sabbath regulations.
* **Key Themes:** Matthew 12:1 introduces several critical themes that resonate throughout Jesus' ministry. Firstly, it highlights the tension between **Human Need vs. Legalism**. The disciples' hunger, a basic human necessity, is pitted against the Pharisees' rigid, uncompassionate application of religious rules. This sets the stage for Jesus' subsequent teaching that the Sabbath was made for humanity, not humanity for the Sabbath. Secondly, the incident subtly introduces the theme of **Jesus' Authority**. While not explicitly stated in this verse, the ensuing dialogue in [Matthew 12:2-8](/matthew/12-2-8 "Matthew 12:2-8 - Lord of the Sabbath") reveals Jesus' claim as "Lord even of the sabbath day," asserting His ultimate sovereignty over religious traditions and interpretations. Finally, it underscores the theme of the **Spirit of the Law vs. the Letter of the Law**, foreshadowing Jesus' teaching that God desires [mercy, not sacrifice](/hosea/6-6 "Hosea 6:6 - God Desires Mercy") ([Matthew 12:7](/matthew/12-7 "Matthew 12:7 - Mercy Over Sacrifice")), implying that the true purpose of God's commands is compassion and human flourishing, not burdensome adherence to man-made regulations.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **sabbath day (Hebrew, _sábbaton'_):** From the Hebrew _Shabbat_, meaning "rest" or "cessation." It refers to the weekly day of repose from secular work, consecrated to God as commanded in the Ten Commandments, and signifies a time for worship and spiritual renewal. The controversy in this passage arises from the Pharisees' hyper-specific and burdensome interpretations of what constituted "rest" on this day.
* **hungred (Greek, _peináō'_):** To famish, either absolutely or comparatively; figuratively, to crave. In this context, it denotes a literal physical hunger experienced by the disciples, highlighting a basic human need. This physical state serves as the immediate catalyst for their actions and becomes a central point in Jesus' defense against the Pharisees' accusations, emphasizing compassion over strict legalism.
* **pluck (Greek, _tíllō'_):** To pull off. This action refers to stripping the ears of grain from their stalks, which, while permitted for immediate consumption by Mosaic Law (Deuteronomy 23:25), was interpreted by the Pharisees as a form of harvesting, thus violating their Sabbath regulations. The specific verb highlights the simple, direct nature of the disciples' action, which the Pharisees then categorized as a prohibited labor.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn;":** This opening clause meticulously sets the scene, specifying the exact timing ("At that time," linking to the preceding narrative of Jesus' ministry), the day of the week (the "sabbath day," which immediately signals potential conflict given its strict observance), and the location ("through the corn," a grain field). Jesus' presence in this setting on the Sabbath is not accidental but deliberately places Him in a context where His actions and teachings will challenge prevailing religious norms.
* **"and his disciples were an hungred,":** This phrase provides the crucial motivation for the disciples' subsequent actions. Their hunger is presented as a fundamental human need, a natural and understandable condition. This detail is vital because Jesus will later use this human need to justify their actions and critique the Pharisees' lack of compassion.
* **"and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat.":** This final clause describes the specific actions that trigger the Pharisaic confrontation. The disciples' "plucking" and "eating" of the grain are simple acts of sustenance. However, within the elaborate framework of Pharisaic Sabbath law, these actions were deemed equivalent to harvesting and threshing, forbidden forms of labor. This seemingly minor act thus becomes the flashpoint for a major theological dispute about the interpretation and purpose of God's law.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 12:1 employs several literary devices to set the stage for the ensuing conflict. **Juxtaposition** is evident in the immediate contrast between the disciples' basic human need ("were an hungred") and the rigid, man-made interpretations of the Sabbath law. This tension between compassion and legalism is central to the passage. The verse also functions as **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the deeper theological debates that will unfold. The seemingly simple act of plucking grain sets the scene for Jesus to reveal His authority over the Sabbath and challenge the Pharisees' understanding of God's heart. Furthermore, the "cornfield" itself, a place of sustenance, can be seen as a subtle **Symbolism** of life and provision, where the spiritual principles of God's law intersect with the practical realities of human existence.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 12:1 is not merely a historical account but a profound theological statement on the nature of God's law and the heart of true religion. It highlights the recurring biblical tension between external observance and internal disposition, between the letter of the law and its spirit. The disciples' hunger underscores that God's laws, including the Sabbath, were given for human flourishing and well-being, not to be burdensome or to stifle basic human needs. This incident serves as a prelude to Jesus' broader teaching that mercy and compassion take precedence over rigid ritualism, revealing a God who prioritizes relationship and human dignity above all else. It challenges us to examine our own adherence to rules and traditions, ensuring that they align with God's loving character rather than becoming ends in themselves.

* [Mark 2:23-28](/mark/2-23-28 "Mark 2:23-28 - Jesus and the Sabbath")
* [Luke 6:1-5](/luke/6-1-5 "Luke 6:1-5 - Jesus, Lord of the Sabbath")
* [Hosea 6:6](/hosea/6-6 "Hosea 6:6 - God Desires Mercy, Not Sacrifice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 12:1 offers a timeless challenge to believers regarding the balance between adherence to religious principles and the exercise of compassion. It calls us to reflect on whether our understanding and practice of faith prioritize human need and the spirit of God's commands over rigid, unyielding legalism. The disciples' hunger reminds us that true spirituality is not divorced from the practical realities of life, nor should it lead to a lack of empathy for others' struggles. This passage encourages us to cultivate a heart that seeks to understand the underlying purpose of God's laws—which is always love—and to apply them with wisdom, grace, and mercy. It cautions against the dangers of becoming so focused on external regulations that we lose sight of the greater principles of justice, compassion, and faithfulness that God truly desires. We are invited to live out a faith that is both deeply rooted in truth and profoundly compassionate, reflecting the very character of Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do we balance our commitment to biblical principles with a compassionate understanding of human needs and circumstances?**
* **In what areas of our lives or our faith communities might we be tempted to prioritize rigid tradition or legalistic interpretation over the spirit of God's commands?**
* **How does Jesus' response to the Pharisees in the subsequent verses (Matthew 12:2-8) challenge our own tendencies toward judgment or self-righteousness?**
* **What does this passage teach us about the true purpose of spiritual disciplines and religious practices in our lives?**

### FAQ
**Why was plucking corn on the Sabbath an issue?**

Answer: While [Deuteronomy 23:25](/deuteronomy/23-25 "Deuteronomy 23:25 - Right to Pluck Grain") explicitly permitted travelers to pluck grain from a neighbor's field for immediate consumption (not to carry away), the Pharisees' extensive oral tradition (Halakha) had significantly expanded the definition of "work" forbidden on the Sabbath. They categorized the disciples' actions of plucking the ears of grain as a form of "harvesting" and rubbing them in their hands as a form of "threshing" or "winnowing." These activities were considered prohibited labor under their detailed Sabbath regulations, even though they were for immediate sustenance and not for commercial purposes. Thus, the issue was not a violation of the clear biblical command, but of the Pharisees' man-made interpretations and expansions of that command.

**What does "corn" mean in this context?**

Answer: In the King James Version, "corn" is a generic term referring to any cereal grain, such as wheat, barley, or rye, which were staple crops widely cultivated in ancient Israel. It does not refer to maize, which is what is commonly called "corn" in modern American English and was unknown in the Middle East at that time. Therefore, "plucking the ears of corn" means the disciples were stripping the heads of grain from the stalks of wheat or barley for immediate consumption.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 12:1, though seemingly a simple narrative of hunger and a legal dispute, profoundly points to Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of God's law and the ultimate source of spiritual sustenance. The very act of the disciples being "an hungred" foreshadows humanity's deeper spiritual hunger, which only Christ can satisfy. Jesus' subsequent defense, culminating in His declaration as "[Lord even of the sabbath day](/matthew/12-8 "Matthew 12:8 - Jesus, Lord of the Sabbath")," reveals His divine authority over creation, over the Law, and over human traditions. He does not abolish the Sabbath but fulfills its true intent: a day of rest and renewal found ultimately in Him. Just as He provides physical sustenance to His hungry disciples, He offers Himself as the "[bread of life](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")" to a spiritually famished world, inviting all who are weary and heavy-laden to find rest in Him ([Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28-30 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary")). This incident underscores that the true purpose of the Law, perfectly embodied and fulfilled by Christ, is not burdensome legalism but the loving provision for humanity's deepest needs, culminating in salvation and eternal life through Him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.

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.

Mark 2:28

Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.

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.