Matthew 12:2-7 ASV

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 12:2

Upon the Sabbath day - The Pharisees, doubtless desirous of finding fault with Christ, said that in plucking the grain on the “Sabbath day” they had violated the commandment. Moses had commanded the Hebrews to abstain from all servile work on the Sabbath, Exodus 20:10; Exodus 35:2-3; Numbers 15:32-36. On any other day this would have been clearly lawful, for it was permitted, Deuteronomy 23:25. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 12:3

But he said unto them ... - To vindicate his disciples, he referred them to a similar case, recorded in the Old Testament, and therefore one with which they ought to have been acquainted. This was the case of David. The law commanded that twelve loaves of bread should be laid on the table in the holy place in the tabernacle, to remain a week, and then to be eaten by the “priests only.” Their place was then supplied by fresh “bread.” This was called the “showbread,” Leviticus 24:5-9. David,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 12:4-5

How he entered into the house of God - That is, the “tabernacle,” the temple not being then built.Have ye not read in the law? - In the law, or in the books of Moses.Profane the Sabbath - He referred them to the conduct of the priests also. On the Sabbath days they were engaged, as well as on other days, in killing beasts for sacrifice, Numbers 28:9-10. Two lambs were killed on the Sabbath, in addition to the daily sacrifice. The priests must be engaged in killing them, and making fires to burn... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 12:6-7

One greater than the temple - Here the Saviour refers to himself, and to his own dignity and power. “I have power over the laws; I can grant to my disciples a dispensation from those laws. An act which I command or permit them to do is therefore right.” This proves that he was divine. None but God can authorize people to do a thing contrary to the divine laws. He refers them again Matthew 12:7 to a passage he had before quoted (See the notes at Matthew 9:13), showing that God preferred acts of... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 12:2-4

Matthew 12:2-4. The Pharisees said, Thy disciples do what is not lawful The law of Moses so expressly allowed the plucking ears of corn as one passed through a field, that, malignant as they were, they pretended not to find fault with the action itself, (see Deuteronomy 23:25,) but they were perverse enough to think this to be a kind of reaping and dressing the grain, which was indeed forbidden on the sabbath. But he said Have ye not read what, in a case of like necessity, David did, ... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 12:5-6

Matthew 12:5-6. Have ye not read in the law, &c. He does not mean that the words following were to be found in the law, but only that they might read in the law, how the priests were obliged, on the sabbath days, to perform such servile work in the temple as, considered separately from the end of it, would have been a profanation of the sabbath, but really was not so, because it was necessary to the public worship of God, on account of which the sabbath was instituted. If it be asked... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 12:7-8

Matthew 12:7-8. But if ye had known what that meaneth If ye had known the intent of that scripture, Hosea 6:6, I will have mercy, &c. That is, I always prefer acts of mercy before matters of positive institution, when in any instance they interfere with each other; and even before all ceremonial institutions whatever; because these being only means of religion, are suspended, of course, if circumstances occur wherein they clash with love, which is the end of it: ye would not have... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 12:1-8

34. Picking corn on the Sabbath (Matthew 12:1-8; Mark 2:23-28; Luke 6:1-5)When the Pharisees criticized Jesus’ disciples for picking a few pieces of corn to eat on the Sabbath, Jesus defended his disciples by referring to two examples from the Old Testament. First, when David and his men were very hungry and urgently needed food, they were rightly allowed to eat the holy bread of the tabernacle, which normally only priests were allowed to eat (Matthew 12:1-4; cf. 1 Samuel 21:1-6). Second, even... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 12:2

the Pharisees. See App-120 . read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 12:3

Have ye not read. ? This question was asked by the Lord on six different occasions, and referred to seven different books of the O.T., and to ten distinct passages. See App-143 . what David did. Reference to 1 Samuel 21:6 . App-117 . read more

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 12:2

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 12:3

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 12:4-5

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 12:6-7

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 12:2-4

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 12:5-6

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 12:7-8

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 12:1-8

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 12:2

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 12:3

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