Charles Ellicott Commentary Matthew 12:2

"But the Pharisees, when they saw it, said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which it is not lawful to do upon the sabbath." — Matthew 12:2 (ASV)

When the Pharisees saw it — In the position in which the narrative stands in the other two Gospels, the Pharisees would appear as belonging to the company that had come down from Jerusalem to watch and accuse the new Teacher (Luke 5:17). He claimed the power to forgive sins; He ate and drank with tax collectors and sinners. Now they found that He was teaching men to dishonor the Sabbath, as He had already taught them in Jerusalem (John 5:10; John 5:16).