Sabbath Controversies: Grain and Healing
Matthew 12:1-14
Matt.12.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Εν: PREP
- εκεινω: DEM,d,sg,m
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- καιρω: NOUN,d,sg,m
- επορευθη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- Ιησους: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,m
- σαββασιν: NOUN,dat,pl,n
- δια: PREP
- των: ART,gen,pl,f
- σποριμων·οι: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- δε: CONJ
- μαθηται: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- επεινασαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- και: CONJ
- ηρξαντο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,pl
- τιλλειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- σταχυας: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- εσθιειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
Parallels
- Mark 2:23-28 (verbal): Direct synoptic parallel: Mark recounts the same incident of Jesus passing through grainfields on the Sabbath and the disciples plucking heads of grain; Mark also preserves Jesus' ensuing defense of their actions.
- Luke 6:1 (verbal): Luke's parallel account of the episode (disciples plucking grain on the Sabbath) with wording and sequence closely matching Matthew's narrative.
- Deuteronomy 23:25 (thematic): Old Testament law permitting a person to pluck heads of grain by hand when passing through a neighbor's field provides legal/background context for the disciples' action.
- 1 Samuel 21:1-6 (allusion): Story of David eating the consecrated bread when hungry is later appealed to by Jesus in this controversy (Matt 12:3–4) as a precedent for exceptions to ritual restrictions in cases of necessity.
Alternative generated candidates
- At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath; and his disciples, being hungry, began to pick the heads of grain and eat.
- At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath; and his disciples were hungry and began to pluck heads of grain and to eat.
Matt.12.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- δε: CONJ
- Φαρισαιοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- ιδοντες: VERB,aor,act,ptc,nom,pl,m
- ειπαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- αυτω·Ιδου: PRON,dat,sg,3
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- μαθηται: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,2
- ποιουσιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εξεστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- ποιειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- εν: PREP
- σαββατω: NOUN,dat,sg,n
Parallels
- Mark 2:23-24 (verbal): Synoptic parallel: Pharisees object that Jesus' disciples are doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath while plucking grain; closely parallels Matthew 12:1–2 in wording and context.
- Luke 6:1-2 (verbal): Synoptic parallel in Luke: the disciples pluck grain on the Sabbath and the Pharisees ask why they are doing what is unlawful—same incident and charge as Matthew 12:2.
- Luke 13:14 (thematic): Different episode where the synagogue ruler rebukes Jesus for healing on the Sabbath; reflects the same recurring conflict between Jesus and Jewish leaders over Sabbath observance.
- John 5:16 (thematic): John notes that the Jews persecuted Jesus because he performed healing on the Sabbath; thematically related as part of the broader dispute about Sabbath law and Jesus' actions.
Alternative generated candidates
- But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, “Look—your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.”
- But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, 'Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.'
Matt.12.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- ειπεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτοις·Ουκ: PRON,dat,pl,m+PART,neg
- ανεγνωτε: VERB,perf,act,ind,2,pl
- τι: PRON,acc,sg,n
- εποιησεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- Δαυιδ: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- οτε: CONJ
- επεινασεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- μετ᾽αυτου: PREP+PRON,gen,sg,m,3
Parallels
- Mark 2:25 (verbal): Near-verbatim parallel in Mark where Jesus asks about David's action when hungry; same argument used to defend disciples plucking grain on the Sabbath.
- Luke 6:3 (verbal): Synoptic parallel in Luke with almost identical wording and placement in the Sabbath controversy, echoing the same appeal to David's example.
- 1 Samuel 21:1-6 (quotation): The original narrative recalled by Jesus: David eats the consecrated (show) bread when hungry, providing the historical incident invoked to justify the disciples' actions.
- Leviticus 24:5-9 (thematic): Background law about the showbread (consecrated bread) in the house of God, which underlies the significance of David's eating and the debate about law and necessity on the Sabbath.
Alternative generated candidates
- He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he and those with him were hungry—
- He said to them, 'Have you not read what David did when he and those with him were hungry?
Matt.12.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- πως: ADV
- εισηλθεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- εις: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- οικον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,m
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- αρτους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- προθεσεως: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- εφαγον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εξον: VERB,pres,act,ptc,nom,pl,m
- ην: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- φαγειν: VERB,aor,act,inf
- ουδε: CONJ
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,m
- μετ᾽αυτου: PREP+PRON,gen,sg,m,3
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- μη: PART
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,m
- ιερευσιν: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- μονοις: ADJ,dat,pl,m
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 21:1–6 (quotation): Narrative source: David and his men eat the consecrated showbread at Nob because there was no common bread available; Matthew cites this incident as Jesus' example.
- Mark 2:26 (verbal): Synoptic parallel: Mark records the same saying of Jesus about David entering the house of God and eating the showbread, closely matching Matthew's wording.
- Luke 6:4 (verbal): Synoptic parallel: Luke preserves the same Christological argument about David and the showbread in his account of Jesus' defense regarding the Sabbath.
- Leviticus 24:5–9 (structural): Priestly law: describes the consecrated showbread (bread of the presence) and indicates its association with the priests and the holy place, providing the legal background for Jesus' argument about who may eat it.
Alternative generated candidates
- how he entered the house of God and ate the bread of presence, which it was not lawful for him to eat nor for those with him, but only for the priests?”
- 'How he entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him to eat, nor for those with him, but only for the priests? '
Matt.12.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- ουκ: PART,neg
- ανεγνωτε: VERB,aor,act,ind,2,pl
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- νομω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- οτι: CONJ
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,m
- σαββασιν: NOUN,dat,pl,n
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- ιερεις: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- ιερω: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- το: ART,nom,sg,n
- σαββατον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- βεβηλουσιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- και: CONJ
- αναιτιοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- εισιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
Parallels
- Mark 2:25-28 (verbal): Closely parallel pericope: Jesus defends his disciples' Sabbath action by citing David/Abiathar and concludes with the teaching about the Sabbath (Son of Man lord of the Sabbath), matching Matthew's argument.
- Luke 6:1-5 (structural): Luke's parallel narrative of the disciples plucking grain; Jesus cites David eating the consecrated bread and asserts his authority over the Sabbath—same rhetorical move as Matthew, though Luke omits the priestly-example line.
- 1 Samuel 21:1-6 (quotation): The Old Testament episode Jesus cites: David eats the showbread (bread of the Presence) when hungry—used as precedent for exceptions to Sabbath restrictions in the temple context.
- Leviticus 24:5-9 (allusion): Law concerning the showbread (bread of the Presence) and that it is for Aaron and his sons to eat—background for Jesus' claim that priests may legitimately 'profane' the Sabbath while serving in the temple.
Alternative generated candidates
- Or have you not read in the Law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath and are guiltless?
- 'Or have you not read in the Law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath and are guiltless? '
Matt.12.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- λεγω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- δε: CONJ
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- οτι: CONJ
- του: ART,gen,sg,m
- ιερου: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- μειζον: ADJ,comp,nom,sg,m
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- ωδε: ADV
Parallels
- Matthew 12:41-42 (verbal): Uses the same evaluative formula ('something greater... is here') applying it to Jonah and Solomon, reinforcing Jesus' claim of superiority to the temple.
- Luke 11:29-32 (verbal): Luke's parallel recounts the 'greater than Jonah/Solomon' saying, echoing Matthew's emphasis that Jesus surpasses established religious benchmarks (and implicitly the temple).
- John 2:19-21 (thematic): Jesus speaks of the 'temple' as his body ('Destroy this temple...'), thematically linking his person to and above the physical temple.
- John 1:14 (thematic): 'The Word became flesh and dwelt among us' (lit. 'tabernacled'), portraying divine presence now located in Christ rather than confined to the temple.
- Hebrews 9:11 (structural): Describes Christ entering a greater/heavenly sanctuary as high priest, developing the typology that Christ and his ministry supersede the earthly temple.
Alternative generated candidates
- But I tell you, something greater than the temple is here.
- 'Yet I tell you that something greater than the temple is here.'
Matt.12.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- δε: CONJ
- εγνωκειτε: VERB,perf,act,ind,2,pl
- τι: PRON,acc,sg,n
- εστιν·Ελεος: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg + NOUN,nom,sg,n
- θελω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- και: CONJ
- ου: PART,neg
- θυσιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ουκ: PART,neg
- αν: PART
- κατεδικασατε: VERB,aor,act,ind,2,pl
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- αναιτιους: ADJ,acc,pl,m
Parallels
- Hosea 6:6 (quotation): The Old Testament source Jesus cites — “I desire mercy, not sacrifice” — originally in Hosea (also mentions knowledge of God over burnt offerings), which Jesus uses to defend his disciples.
- Matt.9:13 (verbal): Jesus earlier repeats the same Hosea formula (“Go and learn what this means: I desire mercy, not sacrifice”) when defending association with sinners, showing verbal reuse of the citation and its interpretive thrust.
- Mark 2:27–28 (structural): Parallel account of the disciples plucking grain on the Sabbath; Jesus defends them and reframes Sabbath law (’the Sabbath was made for man…’), serving the same narrative and theological function as Matthew 12:1–8.
- Luke 11:42 (thematic): Jesus rebukes Pharisees for emphasizing ritual tithing while neglecting justice and the love/mercy of God — the same ethical priority of mercy over mere ritual practice reflected in Matthew 12:7.
- Matt.23:23 (thematic): Jesus criticizes Pharisees for obsessing over minor ritual observances while neglecting ‘justice, mercy, and faithfulness,’ echoing Hosea’s principle that mercy outranks ritual sacrifice.
Alternative generated candidates
- And if you had understood what this means—‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice’—you would not have condemned the innocent.
- 'If you had known what this means, "I desire mercy and not sacrifice," you would not have condemned the guiltless.'
Matt.12.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- κυριος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- γαρ: PART
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- του: ART,gen,sg,m
- σαββατου: NOUN,gen,sg,neut
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- υιος: NOUN,voc,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,m
- ανθρωπου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Mark 2:28 (verbal): Mark records the same saying almost verbatim: 'So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath,' a direct verbal parallel to Matthew's claim of Jesus' authority over the Sabbath.
- Luke 6:5 (verbal): Luke's version of the grain‑plucking incident likewise preserves Jesus' declaration 'The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath,' paralleling Matthew's wording and context.
- Mark 2:27-28 (structural): Mark's broader pericope links the statement to the preceding principle 'The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath,' showing the structural logic that grounds Jesus' lordship over the Sabbath.
- Colossians 2:16-17 (thematic): Paul treats Sabbaths as a shadow and identifies Christ as the substance, implicitly locating authority over Sabbath observance in Christ—theological parallel to Jesus' claim of lordship.
- Luke 13:10-17 (thematic): In a Sabbath healing pericope Jesus asserts priority of mercy and carries out work on the Sabbath; this episode thematically illustrates and applies his claim to authority over Sabbath regulations.
Alternative generated candidates
- For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.
- For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.
Matt.12.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Και: CONJ
- μεταβας: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,sg,m
- εκειθεν: ADV
- ηλθεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- εις: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- συναγωγην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- αυτων·: PRON,gen,pl,3
Parallels
- Mark 3:1 (structural): Parallel pericope: Mark places Jesus entering a synagogue and meeting a man with a withered hand immediately before the same Sabbath-healing controversy (close verbal and narrative correspondence).
- Luke 6:6 (structural): Direct Synoptic parallel: Luke likewise records Jesus entering the synagogue on the Sabbath and confronting the withered-hand situation, aligning closely with Matthew's sequence and purpose.
- Matthew 12:10 (structural): Immediate Matthean parallel: the next verse in Matthew continues the same scene (the man with the withered hand and the question about healing on the Sabbath), showing continuity of setting and action.
- Luke 13:10 (thematic): Thematic parallel: another instance where Jesus teaches and performs a healing in a synagogue on the Sabbath, provoking similar Sabbath-discussion dynamics (different episode but similar setting and tension).
Alternative generated candidates
- He went on from there into their synagogue.
- He went on from there and entered their synagogue.
Matt.12.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ιδου: INTJ
- ανθρωπος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- χειρα: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- εχων: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,sg,m
- ξηραν: ADJ,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- επηρωτησαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- λεγοντες·Ει: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- εξεστι: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,m
- σαββασιν: NOUN,dat,pl,n
- θεραπευειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- ινα: CONJ
- κατηγορησωσιν: VERB,aor,act,sub,3,pl
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Mark 3:1-6 (verbal): Close synoptic parallel: the man with a withered hand, the question about healing on the Sabbath, and the plot of the Pharisees/teachers of the law are narrated nearly verbatim.
- Luke 6:6-11 (verbal): Another synoptic parallel recounting the same incident—man with a withered hand, the Sabbath question, and Jesus’ response—emphasizing the testing motif.
- Luke 14:1-6 (thematic): A different Sabbath-healing episode (man with dropsy) where Jesus is tested about healing on the Sabbath; highlights the recurring challenge to Jesus over Sabbath practice.
- John 5:9-18 (thematic): Healing on the Sabbath at the Pool of Bethesda leads to conflict with Jewish leaders; thematically parallels Matthew’s concern with Sabbath law and ensuing opposition to Jesus.
- Exodus 20:8-11 (structural): The Fourth Commandment lays out the Sabbath commandment that is the underlying legal and religious framework for the dispute over healing on the Sabbath.
Alternative generated candidates
- And behold, there was a man with a withered hand. They asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”—that they might accuse him.
- And behold, there was a man with a withered hand. They asked him, 'Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?'—that they might accuse him.
Matt.12.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- ειπεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτοις·Τις: PRON,dat,pl,3+PRON,nom,sg,com
- εσται: VERB,fut,mid,ind,3,sg
- εξ: PREP
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- ανθρωπος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ος: PRON,nom,sg,m
- εξει: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,sg
- προβατον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- εν: PREP
- και: CONJ
- εαν: CONJ
- εμπεση: VERB,aor,act,sub,3,sg
- τουτο: PRON,nom,sg,n
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,m
- σαββασιν: NOUN,dat,pl,n
- εις: PREP
- βοθυνον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- ουχι: PART,neg
- κρατησει: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτο: PRON,acc,sg,n
- και: CONJ
- εγερει: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Luke 14:5 (verbal): Close verbal parallel: Jesus asks who would not pull a son or ox out of a well on the Sabbath — same logic of rescuing an animal despite Sabbath restrictions.
- Luke 13:15 (thematic): Jesus rebukes Pharisees for hypocrisy by noting routine Sabbath care for an ox/donkey (untie to give water), a parallel appeal to mercy over strict observance.
- Matt.12:12 (structural): Immediate continuation of the same argument in Matthew: 'How much more valuable is a man than a sheep,' concluding it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.
- Mark 2:27-28 (thematic): Broader Johannine Synoptic teaching on the purpose of the Sabbath ('made for man... Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath'), which supplies the theological ground for prioritizing mercy and rescue.
- Deuteronomy 22:4 (allusion): OT ethical law requiring assistance for a neighbor's fallen beast — provides an antecedent principle of aiding animals that undergirds Jesus' pragmatic appeal.
Alternative generated candidates
- He said to them, “Which of you, if you has one sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out?
- He said to them, 'Which of you, if you have a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out? '
Matt.12.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ποσω: ADV
- ουν: PART
- διαφερει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- ανθρωπος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- προβατου: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- ωστε: CONJ
- εξεστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,m
- σαββασιν: NOUN,dat,pl,n
- καλως: ADV
- ποιειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
Parallels
- Mark 3:4-5 (verbal): Direct synoptic parallel: the same Sabbath healing of the man with a withered hand and Jesus' challenge about what is lawful on the Sabbath—same reasoning that it is right to do good on the Sabbath.
- Luke 6:9-10 (verbal): Parallel account of the Sabbath healing and Jesus' question about whether it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath; echoes the justification for restoring a person on the sabbath day.
- Luke 14:5 (thematic): Uses the example of pulling an ox/ass out of a pit on the Sabbath to justify doing good; parallels the 'how much more' logic that a human has greater value than an animal and may be aided on the Sabbath.
- Mark 2:27 (thematic): Expresses the governing principle—'The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath'—which underlies Jesus' argument that it is lawful to do good (to save or help a person) on the Sabbath.
Alternative generated candidates
- How much more valuable then is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”
- 'How much more valuable then is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.'
Matt.12.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- τοτε: ADV
- λεγει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- ανθρωπω·Εκτεινον: NOUN,m,sg,dat + VERB,aor,act,imp,2,sg
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,2
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- χειρα·και: NOUN,f,sg,acc + CONJ
- εξετεινεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- απεκατεσταθη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
- υγιης: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- ως: ADV
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- αλλη: ADJ,nom,sg,f
Parallels
- Mark 3:3-5 (verbal): Near-word-for-word parallel: Jesus commands the man to stretch out his hand; the hand is restored and the episode provokes reaction from the Pharisees.
- Luke 6:8-10 (verbal): Synoptic parallel with the same command and immediate restoration; Luke likewise highlights the moral/testing stance of the onlookers.
- Luke 13:10-17 (thematic): Another Sabbath healing in which Jesus restores a crippled person and clashes with religious leaders over Sabbath observance—similar ethical and Sabbath themes.
- John 5:8-9 (thematic): Jesus issues a short, direct command to a disabled man ('Rise, take up your bed and walk') with immediate healing—parallels in command‑and‑result pattern of Jesus' healing words.
- Exodus 4:6-7 (allusion): Moses' hand is shown to become leprous and then restored to normal; the imagery of a hand made like the other flesh echoes the motif of a hand being restored to full health.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and it was restored—whole like the other.
- Then he said to the man, 'Stretch out your hand.' He stretched it out, and it was restored—whole like the other.
Matt.12.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- εξελθοντες: VERB,aor,act,ptc,nom,pl,m
- δε: CONJ
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- Φαρισαιοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- συμβουλιον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- ελαβον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- κατ᾽αυτου: PREP+PRON,gen,sg,m
- οπως: CONJ
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- απολεσωσιν: VERB,aor,act,subj,3,pl
Parallels
- Mark 3:6 (verbal): Near-verbatim parallel: Pharisees (with the Herodians) go out and conspire how they might destroy/kill Jesus, matching Matthew’s report of plotting against him.
- John 11:53 (verbal): Explicit statement that the Jewish leaders took counsel together to put Jesus to death (in response to Lazarus), echoing the theme of leaders plotting his death.
- Matt.26:3-4 (structural): Later Matthean scene where chief priests and elders gather to plan Jesus’ arrest and death; same council/plot motif within Matthew’s narrative frame.
- Luke 6:11 (thematic): After the Sabbath healing Luke reports the opponents’ enraged discussion about what to do to Jesus—parallel theme of hostile deliberation to harm him.
Alternative generated candidates
- But the Pharisees went out and conferred together how they might destroy him.
- But the Pharisees went out and took counsel against him how they might destroy him.
At that time Jesus passed through the grainfields on the Sabbath; his disciples were hungry and began to pluck the heads of grain and to eat.
When the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, "Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath."
He said to them, "Have you not read what David did when he and those with him were hungry?
how he entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him to eat nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests?
Or have you not read in the Law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple break the Sabbath and yet are innocent? But I tell you, something greater than the temple is here.
If you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the innocent.
For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath. And he went on from there and entered their synagogue. And behold, a man was there with a withered hand. They asked him, saying, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?"—that they might accuse him.
He said to them, "Which of you, having a sheep that falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out?
How much more valuable then is a person than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.
Then he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And he stretched it out, and it was restored—whole like the other. But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him how they might destroy him.