Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 6:2

"But certain of the Pharisees said, Why do ye that which it is not lawful to do on the sabbath day?" — Luke 6:2 (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.