Matthew Chapter 12 · Verse 1
At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat.
Original Language Analysis
ἐκείνῳ
that
G1565
ἐκείνῳ
that
Strong's:
G1565
Word #:
2 of 23
that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐπορεύθη
went
G4198
ἐπορεύθη
went
Strong's:
G4198
Word #:
5 of 23
to traverse, i.e., travel (literally or figuratively; especially to remove (figuratively, die), live, etc.)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
7 of 23
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σάββασιν
on the sabbath day
G4521
σάββασιν
on the sabbath day
Strong's:
G4521
Word #:
9 of 23
the sabbath (i.e., shabbath), or day of weekly repose from secular avocations (also the observance or institution itself); by extension, a se'nnight,
διὰ
through
G1223
διὰ
through
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
10 of 23
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτοῦ
his
G846
αὐτοῦ
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
16 of 23
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἐπείνασαν
were an hungred
G3983
ἐπείνασαν
were an hungred
Strong's:
G3983
Word #:
17 of 23
to famish (absolutely or comparatively); figuratively, to crave
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
18 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
στάχυας
the ears of corn
G4719
στάχυας
the ears of corn
Strong's:
G4719
Word #:
21 of 23
a head of grain (as standing out from the stalk)
Historical Context
Pharisaic tradition (Mishnah) identified thirty-nine categories of Sabbath work, including reaping and threshing. Plucking grain fell under reaping; rubbing heads to remove chaff constituted threshing. These traditions transformed Sabbath from blessing to burden. Jesus consistently clashed with Pharisaic Sabbath interpretation (healing on Sabbath, allowing disciples' actions). He insisted Sabbath served humanity, not vice versa (Mark 2:27). Early church's shift from Saturday Sabbath to Sunday worship reflected Jesus' Sabbath reinterpretation and resurrection on first day.
Questions for Reflection
- How does legalism transform God's blessings into burdens?
- What is the proper relationship between Sabbath rest and human need?
- How can we avoid pharisaic tendencies in contemporary rule-keeping?
Analysis & Commentary
Conflict arises on Sabbath: 'At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat' (εν εκεινω τω καιρω επορευθη ο Ιησους τοις σαββασιν δια των σποριμων οι δε μαθηται αυτου επεινασαν και ηρξαντο τιλλειν σταχυας και εσθιειν). 'Sabbath' (σαββασιν) was day of rest (Exodus 20:8-11). 'Corn' (σποριμων) is grain fields. Deuteronomy 23:25 permitted plucking grain from others' fields by hand. The disciples weren't stealing but exercising legitimate provision for hunger. Pharisees objected not to taking grain but to 'work' on Sabbath. They considered plucking and rubbing grain as harvesting and threshing—Sabbath violations. This conflict reveals legalism's corruption: prioritizing tradition over mercy, external compliance over human need.