Matthew 12:1-8

The Disciples Pluck Grain on the Sabbath

12¹ At that time did Jesus go on the sabbaths through the corn, and his disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck ears, and to eat, ² and the Pharisees having seen, said to him, 'Lo, thy disciples do that which it is not lawful to do on a sabbath.' ³ And he said to them, 'Did ye not read what David did, when he was hungry, himself and those with him— ⁴ how he went into the house of God, and the loaves of the presentation did eat, which it is not lawful to him to eat, nor to those with him, except to the priests alone? ⁵ 'Or did ye not read in the Law, that on the sabbaths the priests in the temple do profane the sabbath, and are blameless? ⁶ and I say to you, that a greater than the temple is here; ⁷ and if ye had known what is: Kindness I will, and not sacrifice—ye had not condemned the blameless, ⁸ for the son of man is lord even of the sabbath.'