Matthew 12:2

But when the Pharisees saw [it], they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day.

But {G1161} when the Pharisees {G5330} saw {G1492} it, they said {G2036} unto him {G846}, Behold {G2400}, thy {G4675} disciples {G3101} do {G4160} that which {G3739} is {G1832} not {G3756} lawful {G1832} to do {G4160} upon {G1722} the sabbath day {G4521}.

On seeing this, the P'rushim said to him, "Look! Your talmidim are violating Shabbat!"

When the Pharisees saw this, they said to Him, โ€œLook, Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.โ€

But the Pharisees, when they saw it, said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which it is not lawful to do upon the sabbath.

Commentary

Matthew 12:2 (KJV) presents a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry, highlighting the ongoing tension between His teachings and the rigid interpretations of the religious leaders of the day.

Context

This verse immediately follows the account of Jesus' disciples walking through grain fields on the Sabbath day, plucking and eating heads of grain because they were hungry. While the Mosaic Law permitted individuals to pluck grain from a neighbor's field for immediate consumption (Deuteronomy 23:25), the issue here was the day on which it occurred: the Sabbath. The Pharisees, a prominent Jewish religious sect known for their strict adherence to both written law and elaborate oral traditions, observed this action and immediately accused Jesus' disciples of violating the Sabbath law.

Key Themes

  • Sabbath Observance and Legalism: The core of the conflict revolves around the proper observance of the Sabbath. For the Pharisees, plucking grain was considered a form of "reaping" or "threshing," activities forbidden on the Sabbath according to their interpretation of the Fourth Commandment (Exodus 20:8-11). This verse underscores their legalistic approach, prioritizing minute regulations over the spirit of the law and human need.
  • Jesus' Authority: Though the accusation is against the disciples, it is a direct challenge to Jesus' teaching and authority. The subsequent verses in Matthew 12 show Jesus defending His disciples and asserting His own authority as "Lord even of the sabbath day," implying that He has the right to define its true purpose. This foreshadows His teaching that "The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath" (Mark 2:27).
  • Compassion vs. Rigidity: The disciples' hunger highlights a practical need. The Pharisees' condemnation reveals a lack of compassion, demonstrating how rigid adherence to rules can overshadow genuine human welfare and the merciful intent behind God's commands.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "not lawful" translates from the Greek ouk exestin (ฮฟแฝฮบ แผ”ฮพฮตฯƒฯ„ฮนฮฝ), which literally means "it is not permitted" or "it is not right." This emphasizes that the Pharisees saw the disciples' actions as a direct transgression against what they considered established religious law and tradition, not merely a minor oversight. The term "sabbath day" (Greek: sabbaton) itself is derived from the Hebrew word for "rest," underscoring the day's original purpose as a time for cessation from labor and devotion to God.

Practical Application

Matthew 12:2 serves as a timeless reminder for believers today to examine their own understanding and application of God's Word. It challenges us to:

  • Guard Against Legalism: Be wary of adding human-made rules to God's commands, which can inadvertently obscure the true heart of His law, which is love for God and neighbor (Matthew 22:37-39).
  • Prioritize Compassion: Seek to understand the merciful and compassionate intent behind God's principles, rather than focusing solely on rigid outward observance.
  • Recognize Jesus' Authority: Affirm Jesus as the ultimate interpreter and fulfillment of the Law, whose teachings bring freedom and life, not bondage.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“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 โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 12:10

    And, behold, there was a man which had [his] hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.

  • John 7:21

    Jesus answered and said unto them, I have done one work, and ye all marvel.

  • John 7:24

    Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

  • Luke 14:3

    And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day?

  • Exodus 20:9

    Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:

  • Exodus 20:11

    For [in] six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them [is], and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

  • Mark 3:2

    And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him.