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1
God's Law vs. Man's Rules
Commentators unanimously clarify that the disciples were not breaking God's written law, which allowed for plucking grain from a field. The Pharisees' accusation was based on their own complex, man-made traditions. As multiple scholars note, they had created rules that equated plucking grain with 'reaping' and rubbing it with 'threshing'—two activities forbidden on the Sabbath. This highlights a conflict between God's commands and human legalism.
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Matthew
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Commentaries
6
Albert Barnes
On Matthew 12:2
18th Century
Theologian
Upon the sabbath day. The Pharisees, doubtless desirous of finding fault with Christ, said that, in plucking the grain on the sabbath …
AT Robertson
On Matthew 12:2
Thy disciples do (ο μαθητα σου ποιουσιν). These critics are now watching a chance and they jump at this violation of their Pharisa…
Charles Spurgeon
On Matthew 12:1–2
19th Century
Preacher
They were probably on their way to the synagogue. They were allowed by law to take ears of grain as they passed along, but the Pharisees' objection…
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Expositor's Bible Commentary
On Matthew 12:2
The Pharisees’ charge that the disciples were breaking the law was based, not on their picking grain in someone else’s field, but on the fact that …
John Gill
On Matthew 12:2
17th Century
Pastor
But when the Pharisees saw it Who went along with him, or followed him, being employed to make observation on his words a…
Matthew Henry
On Matthew 12:1–8
17th Century
Minister
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 slende…