This verse from Matthew 12:2 is part of a larger story where Jesus and his disciples are walking through a grainfield on the Sabbath. The disciples, being hungry, begin to pluck heads of grain and eat them.
The Pharisees, who were known for their strict adherence to Jewish law and tradition, saw this and immediately accused Jesus' disciples of breaking the Sabbath law.
In essence, the verse means:
The Pharisees observed Jesus' disciples eating grain they picked on the Sabbath.
They believed that this action violated the Sabbath laws.
They confronted Jesus, pointing out the perceived wrongdoing of his followers.
The Significance of the Accusation:
The accusation of breaking the Sabbath was serious. Jewish law forbade work on the Sabbath, the day of rest. The Pharisees considered the disciples' actions (plucking, rubbing the grain to remove the husks, and eating) as a form of work and therefore a violation of the law.
Context within the Larger Story:
This verse sets the stage for Jesus' response, where he defends his disciples and challenges the Pharisees' interpretation of the Sabbath law. He uses examples from the Hebrew Bible (like David eating the consecrated bread) to argue that human need and mercy should sometimes take precedence over rigid adherence to rules. He also declares that "the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath" (Matthew 12:8), claiming authority over the Sabbath and suggesting that his understanding of its purpose is superior to theirs.
In Summary:
Matthew 12:2 highlights the conflict between Jesus and the Pharisees regarding the interpretation and application of Jewish law, particularly the Sabbath. It showcases the Pharisees' strict and legalistic approach and sets the stage for Jesus' defense of his disciples and his reinterpretation of the Sabbath's true meaning.
This verse from Matthew 12:2 is part of a larger story where Jesus and his disciples are walking through a grainfield on the Sabbath. The disciples, being hungry, begin to pluck heads of grain and eat them.
The Pharisees, who were known for their strict adherence to Jewish law and tradition, saw this and immediately accused Jesus' disciples of breaking the Sabbath law.
In essence, the verse means:
The Pharisees observed Jesus' disciples eating grain they picked on the Sabbath.
They believed that this action violated the Sabbath laws.
They confronted Jesus, pointing out the perceived wrongdoing of his followers.
The Significance of the Accusation:
The accusation of breaking the Sabbath was serious. Jewish law forbade work on the Sabbath, the day of rest. The Pharisees considered the disciples' actions (plucking, rubbing the grain to remove the husks, and eating) as a form of work and therefore a violation of the law.
Context within the Larger Story:
This verse sets the stage for Jesus' response, where he defends his disciples and challenges the Pharisees' interpretation of the Sabbath law. He uses examples from the Hebrew Bible (like David eating the consecrated bread) to argue that human need and mercy should sometimes take precedence over rigid adherence to rules. He also declares that "the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath" (Matthew 12:8), claiming authority over the Sabbath and suggesting that his understanding of its purpose is superior to theirs.
In Summary:
Matthew 12:2 highlights the conflict between Jesus and the Pharisees regarding the interpretation and application of Jewish law, particularly the Sabbath. It showcases the Pharisees' strict and legalistic approach and sets the stage for Jesus' defense of his disciples and his reinterpretation of the Sabbath's true meaning.