Matthew Henry Commentary Matthew 12:1-8

"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. 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. But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was hungry, and they that were with him; how he entered into the house of God, and ate the showbread, which it was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them that were with him, but only for the priests? 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. But if ye had known what this meaneth, I desire mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of man is lord of the sabbath." — Matthew 12:1-8 (ASV)

Being in the corn-fields, the disciples began to pluck the ears of corn; the law of God allowed it (Deuteronomy 23:25). This was slender provision for Christ and his disciples, but they were content with it. The Pharisees did not quarrel with them for taking another man's corn but for doing it on the Sabbath day. Christ came to free his followers not only from the corruptions of the Pharisees but from their unscriptural rules, and he justified what they did.

The greatest shall not have their lusts indulged, but the humblest shall have their wants considered. Those labors are lawful on the Sabbath day which are necessary, and Sabbath rest is to forward, not to hinder, Sabbath worship.

Needful provision for health and food is to be made. But the case is very different when servants are kept at home, and families become a scene of hurry and confusion on the Lord's day, to furnish a feast for visitors or for indulgence.

Such things as these, and many others common among professing Christians, are to be blamed. The resting on the Sabbath was ordained for man's good (Deuteronomy 5:14). No law must be understood so as to contradict its own end. And as Christ is the Lord of the Sabbath, it is fitting that the day and its work should be dedicated to him.