Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them. New Living Translation At about that time Jesus was walking through some grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, so they began breaking off some heads of grain and eating them. English Standard Version At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. Berean Standard Bible At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat them. Berean Literal Bible At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbaths, and His disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck the heads of grain and to eat. King James Bible 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. New King James Version At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. And His disciples were hungry, and began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. New American Standard Bible At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath, and His disciples became hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat. NASB 1995 At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath, and His disciples became hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat. NASB 1977 At that time Jesus went on the Sabbath through the grainfields, and His disciples became hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat. Legacy Standard Bible At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath, and His disciples became hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat. Amplified Bible At that particular time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath, and His disciples were hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat them. Berean Annotated Bible At that time Jesus (YHWH saves) went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples (pupils) were hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat them. Christian Standard Bible At that time Jesus passed through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick and eat some heads of grain. Holman Christian Standard Bible At that time Jesus passed through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick and eat some heads of grain. American Standard Version At that season Jesus went on the sabbath day through the grainfields; and his disciples were hungry and began to pluck ears and to eat. Contemporary English Version One Sabbath, Jesus and his disciples were walking through some wheat fields. His disciples were hungry and began picking and eating grains of wheat. English Revised Version At that season Jesus went on the sabbath day through the cornfields; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck ears of corn, and to eat. GOD'S WORD® Translation Then on a day of worship Jesus walked through the grainfields. His disciples were hungry and began to pick the heads of grain to eat. Good News Translation Not long afterward Jesus was walking through some wheat fields on a Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, so they began to pick heads of wheat and eat the grain. International Standard Version At that time, Jesus walked through the grain fields on a Sabbath. His disciples became hungry and began picking heads of grain to eat. NET Bible At that time Jesus went through the grain fields on a Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, and they began to pick heads of wheat and eat them. New Heart English Bible At that time, Jesus went on the Sabbath day through the grain fields. His disciples were hungry and began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. Webster's Bible Translation At that time Jesus went on the sabbath through the corn, and his disciples were hungry, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat. Weymouth New Testament About that time Jesus passed on the Sabbath through the wheatfields; and His disciples became hungry, and began to gather ears of wheat and eat them. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAt that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat them. World English Bible At that time, Jesus went on the Sabbath day through the grain fields. His disciples were hungry and began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAt that time Jesus went on the Sabbaths through the grainfields, and His disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck ears, and to eat, Berean Literal Bible At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbaths, and His disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck the heads of grain and to eat. Young's Literal Translation At that time did Jesus go on the sabbaths through the corn, and his disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck ears, and to eat, Smith's Literal Translation In that time Jesus went in the sabbaths through the standing corn and his disciples were hungry, and began to pluck the ears, end eat. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAT that time Jesus went through the corn on the sabbath: and his disciples being hungry, began to pluck the ears, and to eat. Catholic Public Domain Version At that time, Jesus went out through the ripe grain on the Sabbath. And his disciples, being hungry, began to separate the grain and to eat. New American Bible At that time Jesus was going through a field of grain on the sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat them. New Revised Standard Version At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the sabbath; his disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAT that time, Jesus walked on the sabbath through the wheat fields; and his disciples became hungry, and they began to pluck ears of wheat and eat. Aramaic Bible in Plain English At that time Yeshua was walking on the Sabbath in the grainfields, and his disciples were hungry and they began plucking the ears of grain and they were eating. NT Translations Anderson New TestamentAt that time Jesus was going, on the Sabbath, through the fields of grain; and his disciples were hungry, and began to pull the ears of grain, and to eat. Godbey New Testament At that time Jesus went on the Sabbath through the cornfields; and His disciples were hungry, and began to pluck the ears, and eat. Haweis New Testament AT that time Jesus walked through corn-fields on a sabbath-day; and his disciples were hungry, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat. Mace New Testament At that time as Jesus pass'd through the corn on the sabbath day, his disciples being hungry, pluck'd the ears of corn, and fell to eating. Weymouth New Testament About that time Jesus passed on the Sabbath through the wheatfields; and His disciples became hungry, and began to gather ears of wheat and eat them. Worrell New Testament At that time Jesus went on the sabbath through the grain-fields; and His disciples were hungry, and began to pluck heads of grain, and to eat. Worsley New Testament About this time as Jesus passed through the cornfields on the sabbath-day, his disciples being hungry began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat them. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Lord of the Sabbath1At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat them. 2When the Pharisees saw this, they said to Him, “Look, Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.”… Cross References At that time Mark 2:23-24 One Sabbath Jesus was passing through the grainfields, and His disciples began to pick the heads of grain as they walked along. / So the Pharisees said to Him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?” Luke 6:1-2 One Sabbath Jesus was passing through the grainfields, and His disciples began to pick the heads of grain, rub them in their hands, and eat them. / But some of the Pharisees asked, “Why are you doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?” Jesus went through the grainfields Deuteronomy 23:25 When you enter your neighbor’s grainfield, you may pluck the heads of grain with your hand, but you must not put a sickle to your neighbor’s grain. Ruth 2:2-3 And Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, “Please let me go into the fields and glean heads of grain after someone in whose sight I may find favor.” “Go ahead, my daughter,” Naomi replied. / So Ruth departed and went out into the field and gleaned after the harvesters. And she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelech. Ruth 2:7 She has said, ‘Please let me glean and gather among the sheaves after the harvesters.’ So she came out and has continued from morning until now, except that she rested a short time in the shelter.” on the Sabbath. Exodus 20:8-10 Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. / Six days you shall labor and do all your work, / but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God, on which you must not do any work—neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant or livestock, nor the foreigner within your gates. Deuteronomy 5:12-15 Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the LORD your God has commanded you. / Six days you shall labor and do all your work, / but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God, on which you must not do any work—neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your ox or donkey or any of your livestock, nor the foreigner within your gates, so that your manservant and maidservant may rest as you do. … Exodus 31:15 For six days work may be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of complete rest, holy to the LORD. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day must surely be put to death. His disciples were hungry 1 Samuel 30:11-12 Now his men found an Egyptian in the field and brought him to David. They gave the man water to drink and food to eat— / a piece of a fig cake and two clusters of raisins. So he ate and was revived, for he had not had any food or water for three days and three nights. Matthew 4:2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry. Genesis 25:29-34 One day, while Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the field and was famished. / He said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am famished.” (That is why he was also called Edom.) / “First sell me your birthright,” Jacob replied. … and began to pick the heads of grain Leviticus 19:9-10 When you reap the harvest of your land, you are not to reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. / You must not strip your vineyard bare or gather its fallen grapes. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the LORD your God. Deuteronomy 24:19 If you are harvesting in your field and forget a sheaf there, do not go back to get it. It is to be left for the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow, so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. Ruth 2:15-17 When Ruth got up to glean, Boaz ordered his young men, “Even if she gathers among the sheaves, do not insult her. / Rather, pull out for her some stalks from the bundles and leave them for her to gather. Do not rebuke her.” / So Ruth gathered grain in the field until evening. And when she beat out what she had gleaned, it was about an ephah of barley. and eat them. 1 Samuel 21:6 So the priest gave him the consecrated bread, since there was no bread there but the Bread of the Presence, which had been removed from before the LORD and replaced with hot bread on the day it was taken away. Ruth 2:14 At mealtime Boaz said to her, “Come over here; have some bread and dip it into the vinegar sauce.” So she sat down beside the harvesters, and he offered her roasted grain, and she ate and was satisfied and had some left over. Treasury of Scripture At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungered, and began to pluck the ears of corn and to eat. went. Mark 2:23-28 And it came to pass, that he went through the corn fields on the sabbath day; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn… Luke 6:1-5 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… to pluck. Deuteronomy 23:25 When thou comest into the standing corn of thy neighbour, then thou mayest pluck the ears with thine hand; but thou shalt not move a sickle unto thy neighbour's standing corn. Jump to Previous Corn Disciples Ears Eat Fields Food Gather Grain Grainfields Heads Hungred Hungry Jesus Need Passed Pick Pluck Sabbath Sabbaths Time Wheat WheatfieldsJump to Next Corn Disciples Ears Eat Fields Food Gather Grain Grainfields Heads Hungred Hungry Jesus Need Passed Pick Pluck Sabbath Sabbaths Time Wheat WheatfieldsMatthew 12 1. Jesus reproves the blindness of the Pharisees concerning the Sabbath,3. by scripture, 9. by reason, 13. and by a miracle. 22. He heals a man possessed that was blind and mute; 24. and confronting the absurd charge of casting out demons by Beelzebub, 32. he shows that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit shall never be forgiven. 36. Account shall be made of idle words. 38. He rebukes the unfaithful, who seek after a sign, 46. and shows who is his brother, sister, and mother. At that time This phrase situates the event within a specific period in Jesus' ministry, likely during His Galilean ministry. It follows a series of teachings and miracles, indicating a time of growing tension between Jesus and the Pharisees. Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath His disciples were hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat them Persons / Places / Events 1. JesusThe central figure in this passage, Jesus is traveling with His disciples. He is the Son of God and the Messiah, whose teachings and actions often challenged the religious norms of His time. 2. Disciples Followers of Jesus who are learning from His teachings and actions. In this passage, they are with Jesus and are the ones picking grain. 3. Grainfields The setting of this event, where Jesus and His disciples are walking. The grainfields represent a place of provision and sustenance. 4. Sabbath A day of rest and worship in Jewish tradition, observed from Friday evening to Saturday evening. It is a day set apart by God for rest, as commanded in the Ten Commandments. Teaching Points Understanding the SabbathThe Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. It is a gift from God for rest and reflection, not a burden of legalistic rules. Jesus' Authority Jesus demonstrates His authority over the Sabbath, emphasizing mercy and the spirit of the law over rigid adherence to tradition. Provision and Compassion God provides for our needs, even on the Sabbath. The disciples' actions remind us that human need can take precedence over ritual. Legalism vs. Grace This passage challenges us to consider whether we are more focused on rules than on the grace and compassion that Jesus exemplifies. Spiritual Nourishment Just as the disciples sought physical sustenance, we are called to seek spiritual nourishment through Jesus, the Bread of Life. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Matthew 12:1?2. How does Matthew 12:1 illustrate Jesus' authority over traditional Sabbath interpretations? 3. What can we learn from Jesus' response to the Pharisees in Matthew 12:1? 4. How does Matthew 12:1 connect with Old Testament Sabbath laws? 5. How should Matthew 12:1 influence our understanding of mercy over ritual? 6. In what ways can we prioritize compassion over legalism in our daily lives? 7. Why did Jesus allow His disciples to pick grain on the Sabbath in Matthew 12:1? 8. How does Matthew 12:1 challenge traditional Sabbath observance? 9. What historical context explains the disciples' actions in Matthew 12:1? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Matthew 12? 11. What are the Mishnah and Midrash? 12. Matthew 12:1–8: How can picking grain on the Sabbath be considered “blameless” when it appears to contradict strict Old Testament Sabbath laws? 13. What is Halakhah? 14. Mark 2:23–28 – How reliable is the story of disciples picking grain on the Sabbath, given the potential historical and legal disputes that should have arisen? What Does Matthew 12:1 Mean At that time• Matthew signals a real moment in Jesus’ ministry, directly following His call in 11:28-30. • The phrase anchors the event in historical sequence, showing God’s providential timing (cf. Galatians 4:4). • It reminds us that the Lord’s compassion for weary sinners, just expressed, will now be demonstrated in action. Jesus went through the grainfields • The Lord is on foot with His followers, traveling the common paths that cut through standing grain (cf. Deuteronomy 23:25, which allowed such passage). • His willingness to walk ordinary roads underscores His identification with everyday people (cf. Hebrews 2:17). • The scene sets up a lesson in true worship that surpasses man-made restrictions. on the Sabbath • The seventh-day rest was God-ordained (Exodus 20:8-11), but by Christ’s day it had acquired layers of Pharisaic tradition (cf. Mark 7:8). • Jesus intentionally allows this moment to unfold on the Sabbath so that He can reveal its rightful purpose (cf. Mark 2:27-28). • The day that celebrates God’s completed work will soon spotlight the Lord of the Sabbath completing redemption. His disciples were hungry • Real physical need is in view; Scripture is transparent about human weakness (cf. 2 Corinthians 11:27). • Their hunger contrasts with religious leaders who were “full” of rules yet empty of mercy (cf. Isaiah 58:6-7). • The Lord does not rebuke their appetite; He will use it to teach grace. began to pick the heads of grain • Deuteronomy 23:25 explicitly permits travelers to pluck kernels with the hand—this was lawful gleaning, not theft. • The disciples act within God’s provision, yet their action collides with Pharisaic interpretations that labeled such picking as “reaping.” • Jesus allows them to exercise this liberty, foreshadowing His later declaration that ceremonial regulations must bow to Kingdom priorities (cf. Matthew 15:11). and eat them • They meet immediate need with the resources God placed at hand, echoing how David once ate the consecrated bread in necessity (1 Samuel 21:1-6; cited by Jesus in verses 3-4). • Eating underscores that Sabbath law was given for refreshment, not hardship (cf. Isaiah 58:13-14). • Their simple meal anticipates the spiritual nourishment Christ offers to all who come to Him (John 6:35). summary Matthew 12:1 recounts an actual Sabbath walk in which hungry disciples lawfully pluck grain and eat. The verse sets the stage for Jesus to confront burdensome traditions and to affirm that God’s law was always meant to serve life, mercy, and true rest in Him. XII.(1) At that time.--St. Luke (Luke 6:1) defines the time more specifically as "the second first sabbath." The question, what is meant by that term, will be discussed in the Notes on that passage. The facts of the case place it clearly between the Passover and the Feast of Pentecost, between the beginning of the barley and the end of the wheat harvest. The position which the narrative occupies in Mark 2:23, Luke 6:1, immediately after the feast in Matthew's house, differs so widely from St. Matthew's arrangement, that we are again at sea in attempting to construct a harmony, and can only regard the words "at that time" as belonging to the separate history in some other position than that in which he has placed it. Began to pluck the ears of corn.--Note St. Mark's stronger phrase, "to make a path, plucking the ears," and St. Luke's description that they ate them, "rubbing them in their hands." The act was permitted by the Law as far as the rights of property were concerned (Deuteronomy 23:25), but it was against the Pharisees' interpretation of the law of the Sabbath. To pluck the ears was to reap, to rub the husks from the grain was to thresh; and the new Teacher was therefore, they thought, tacitly sanctioning a distinct breach of the holiness of the day of rest. Verses 1-50. - The opposition that our Lord met with(1) from his enemies (vers. 1-45); (2) from his relations (vers. 46-50); and the manner in which he dealt with it. Verses 1-45. - (1) Opposition from his enemies. . . . Greek AtἘν (En) Preposition Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. that ἐκείνῳ (ekeinō) Demonstrative Pronoun - Dative Masculine Singular Strong's 1565: That, that one there, yonder. From ekei; that one (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed. time καιρῷ (kairō) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular Strong's 2540: Fitting season, season, opportunity, occasion, time. Of uncertain affinity; an occasion, i.e. Set or proper time. Jesus Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 2424: Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites. went ἐπορεύθη (eporeuthē) Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 4198: To travel, journey, go, die. through διὰ (dia) Preposition Strong's 1223: A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through. the τῶν (tōn) Article - Genitive Neuter Plural Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. grainfields σπορίμων (sporimōn) Adjective - Genitive Neuter Plural Strong's 4702: Sown; neut. plur: sown fields. From sporos; sown, i.e. a planted field. on the τοῖς (tois) Article - Dative Neuter Plural Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Sabbath. σάββασιν (sabbasin) Noun - Dative Neuter Plural Strong's 4521: The Sabbath, a week. His αὐτοῦ (autou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. disciples μαθηταὶ (mathētai) Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 3101: A learner, disciple, pupil. From manthano; a learner, i.e. Pupil. were hungry ἐπείνασαν (epeinasan) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural Strong's 3983: To be hungry, needy, desire earnestly. From the same as penes; to famish; figuratively, to crave. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. began ἤρξαντο (ērxanto) Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Plural Strong's 756: To begin. Middle voice of archo; to commence. to pick τίλλειν (tillein) Verb - Present Infinitive Active Strong's 5089: To pluck, pluck off. Perhaps akin to the alternate of haireomai, and thus to suro; to pull off. [the] heads of grain στάχυας (stachyas) Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural Strong's 4719: A head of grain. From the base of histemi; a head of grain. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. eat [them]. ἐσθίειν (esthiein) Verb - Present Infinitive Active Strong's 2068: Strengthened for a primary edo; used only in certain tenses, the rest being supplied by phago; to eat. Links Matthew 12:1 NIVMatthew 12:1 NLT Matthew 12:1 ESV Matthew 12:1 NASB Matthew 12:1 KJV Matthew 12:1 BibleApps.com Matthew 12:1 Biblia Paralela Matthew 12:1 Chinese Bible Matthew 12:1 French Bible Matthew 12:1 Catholic Bible NT Gospels: Matthew 12:1 At that time Jesus went (Matt. Mat Mt) |
    |