Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 12:5-6

"Or have ye not read in the law, that on the sabbath day the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are guiltless? But I say unto you, that one greater than the temple is here." — Matthew 12:5-6 (ASV)

This instance is absolutely to the point. The priests worked hard on the Sabbath in offering sacrifice and in other appointed ways, but they were to be honored rather than censured for doing so, since they had the approval of the temple law. But in the case of Christ’s disciples, what they did had the sanction of the temple’s Lord, who is far greater than the temple.

Work done for God on the Sabbath is no real profanation of the Sabbath, though it may seem to be so to those whose religion lies wholly in external observances. If we work with Jesus and for Jesus, we do not care for the criticisms of formalists. As the substance is greater than the shadow, so is our Lord greater than the temple or any or all ceremonial laws, and His sanction overrules all the interpretations of the law which asceticism or superstition may impose upon us.

Works of piety are lawful on the Sabbath.