Deuteronomy 23:24-25

Ver. 24, 25. When thou comest into thy neighbour's vine-yard, &c.— The rabbis understand this law in favour of poor labourers, who were hired to work in vineyards in the time of the vintage: for, if the very oxen were not to be muzzled whilst they trod out the corn, how much less ought the labourer to be debarred from eating of the fruits about which he laboured! There seems, however, no reason for restricting this indulgence to husbandmen; it may justly be enlarged to all travellers in the highway, whether Israelites or others, who had occasion to pass by a vineyard or field, and needed a refreshment. The disciples of our Saviour made use of this common right. See Matthew 12:1; Matthew 12:50.