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.

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}.

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.

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.

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

Context of Matthew 12:1

This verse opens a significant confrontation between Jesus and the Pharisees regarding the proper observance of the Sabbath day. According to Mosaic Law, the Sabbath was a day of rest, consecrated to God. Over centuries, Jewish religious leaders, particularly the Pharisees, had developed an elaborate system of rules and traditions (the Halakha) defining what was permissible and impermissible work on the Sabbath. While plucking grain for immediate consumption was allowed by Deuteronomy 23:25 for travelers, the Pharisees considered the actions of Jesus' disciples—plucking and rubbing the heads of grain—to be forms of harvesting and threshing, thus breaking their detailed Sabbath regulations. This incident highlights the tension between Jesus' emphasis on God's original intent for the law and the Pharisees' rigid, man-made interpretations.

Key Themes in Matthew 12:1

  • Human Need vs. Legalism: The disciples were "an hungred" (hungry), a basic human need. Jesus prioritizes this over a strict, uncompassionate application of religious rules. This sets the stage for Jesus' later declarations about the Sabbath's purpose.
  • Jesus' Authority: Though not explicitly stated in this single verse, the subsequent narrative (Matthew 12:2-8) reveals Jesus' authority as "Lord even of the sabbath day," demonstrating His ultimate sovereignty over religious traditions.
  • The Spirit of the Law: The incident foreshadows Jesus' teaching that God desires mercy, not sacrifice (Matthew 12:7), implying that the Sabbath was made for man's benefit, not man for the Sabbath.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Sabbath day": From the Hebrew Shabbat, meaning "rest" or "cessation." It signifies a day of rest from labor, dedicated to worship and renewal, as commanded in the Ten Commandments.
  • "Corn": In the King James Version, "corn" does not refer to maize (what Americans typically call corn) but to various cereal grains like wheat, barley, or rye, which were staple crops in ancient Israel. The act of "plucking the ears of corn" refers to stripping the grain from the stalks for immediate consumption.

Practical Application

Matthew 12:1 reminds us that God's laws are ultimately for our good and flourishing, not for burdensome legalism. It challenges believers to consider the spirit behind religious practices rather than merely adhering to the letter of the law. True faith involves compassion and understanding human needs, reflecting the heart of God. This verse encourages us to avoid judgment based on rigid interpretations and instead seek to live out the greater principles of love and mercy, just as Jesus demonstrated, always prioritizing genuine human well-being and God's true intentions for His commands.

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Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 23:25 (17 votes)

    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 (15 votes)

    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 (15 votes)

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

  • Luke 6:1 (14 votes)

    ¶ 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 (14 votes)

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