Question 1

What is happening when the disciples pluck grain on the sabbath?

Accepted Answer

Jesus and his disciples are walking through grainfields on a sabbath day during a festival season. The grain is ripe enough that the disciples can pick the heads of grain, rub them in their hands, blow away the husk, and eat the kernels. They are simply hungry and eating what is right in front of them, not running a harvest. Some Pharisees see this and say the disciples are doing what is not lawful on the sabbath, because Jewish rules treated plucking and rubbing grain as work that should not be done on that day.

Question 2

Why did the Pharisees think the disciples were breaking the sabbath?

Accepted Answer

The Pharisees treated almost any physical task with grain as work. In their rules, plucking ears of grain counted like harvesting, and rubbing them in the hands counted like threshing. Both were normally forbidden on the sabbath. So when they saw the disciples plucking and rubbing the grain to eat, they judged it as sabbath-breaking. They focused on the outward action, not on the fact that the men were hungry and simply meeting a basic need while walking with their teacher.

Question 3

What does the phrase “second sabbath after the first” mean?

Accepted Answer

The wording about the “second sabbath after the first” is difficult and has been understood in more than one way. A common and simple reading is that it refers to a special sabbath during the festival season after Passover, when the first sheaf of grain had been offered and harvest could begin. From that second day, the people counted weeks toward the next big feast. This would fit with ripe grain in the fields and explains why that particular sabbath was noticed and named in a special way.

Question 4

Why does Jesus mention David eating the shewbread?

Accepted Answer

Jesus brings up David to show that God’s law was never meant to ignore real human need. David and his men were hungry and in danger, and the only bread available was the holy bread normally reserved for priests in the house of God. In that emergency, the priest gave it to David, and David shared it with his men. Jesus uses this story to say that if even a holy ritual about bread could give way to necessity, then the Pharisees should not condemn his hungry disciples for a small act of picking grain on the sabbath.

Question 5

What does it mean that the Son of man is Lord of the sabbath?

Accepted Answer

When Jesus says, “The Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath,” he is claiming authority over the sabbath itself. He is not throwing the sabbath away, but he is saying that he, as the Son of man, has the right to define how it should be understood and kept. The sabbath belongs to him. That means his judgment about what is fitting on that day, especially in cases of real need or mercy, is higher than human traditions and extra rules that people have added around God’s command.

Question 6

What does this passage teach about works of necessity on the sabbath?

Accepted Answer

This passage shows that works of necessity, like getting simple food when you are hungry, are allowed on the sabbath. The disciples are not feasting in luxury; they are just taking a few grains as they walk. Jesus defends them by pointing to David’s need and by ending with his lordship over the sabbath. The point is that God’s gift of rest was not meant to harm people or ignore hunger. Real need can override ceremonial details, though this should not be twisted into an excuse for careless living.

Question 7

How does this passage warn against legalism about the sabbath?

Accepted Answer

The Pharisees focus on tiny outward actions and miss the heart of God’s command. They are ready to blame hungry men for a simple act of eating, while they themselves may enjoy plenty on the sabbath. Jesus’ answer shows the danger of turning God’s good day of rest into a burden. When rules about small actions matter more than mercy and human need, something has gone wrong. This passage gently warns readers not to use religious rules to condemn others while ignoring the kindness and purpose that God intended.

Question 8

How can this passage about the sabbath apply to my life today?

Accepted Answer

This passage invites you to look at how you think about God’s commands. Do you see them mainly as a list of small rules to check off, or as gifts meant for your good and for the good of others? It also reminds you to be careful about judging other people’s actions when you do not know their need. Finally, it calls you to honor Jesus as Lord over your time. The day set apart for God should reflect his kindness, his care for human needs, and his right to guide how you use your rest.

Luke 6:1

And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he went through the corn fields; and his disciples plucked the ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands.

The Lord of the Sabbath

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Luke 6:1

And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he went through the corn fields; and his disciples plucked the ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands.

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The Lord of the Sabbath

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