Matthew 12:1 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Walking through grainfields on the sabbath, Jesus' hungry disciples pluck heads of grain to eat.
What Does Matthew 12:1 Mean?
Matthew opens a new stretch of conflict over the sabbath. Jesus and his disciples pass through fields of standing grain on the day of rest, and the disciples, being hungry, pull off ripe heads to eat as they go. The law itself permitted a traveler to take grain by hand from a neighbor's field; what is at issue is only the day.
The scene is quiet and human: tired men gathering a handful of food on a holy day. It sets the stage for a deeper question about what the sabbath is for. The day God gave was meant to bless and refresh his people, not to leave them hungry under a load of rules. Christ will show that mercy and the care of human need stand at the heart of God's command.
Matthew 12:1 in the Original Language
sabbaton (σάββατον), 'sabbath' -- the appointed day of rest rooted in the Hebrew shabbat, to cease or rest.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 12:1
What does Matthew 12:1 mean?
Walking through grainfields on the sabbath, Jesus' hungry disciples pluck heads of grain to eat.