A.T. Robertson Commentary Matthew 12:1

"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." — Matthew 12:1 (ASV)

On the sabbath day through the cornfields (τοις σαββασιν δια των σποριμων). This paragraph begins exactly like 11:25 "at that season" (εν εκεινω τω καιρω), a general statement with no clear idea of time. So also 14:1. The word καιρος means a definite and particular time, but we cannot fix it. The word "cornfields" does not mean our maize or Indian corn, but simply fields of grain (wheat or even barley).