Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 6:1

"Now it came to pass on a sabbath, that he was going through the grainfields; and his disciples plucked the ears, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands." — Luke 6:1 (ASV)

Luke centers attention on the disciples (v.1), though in accordance with custom their teacher was held responsible. To glean by hand in someone’s field was permitted by law . But to do this and to rub the heads of grain was considered to be threshing. Jewish tradition forbad threshing on the Sabbath.