Topical Bible: Corn: Heads of, Plucked by Christ's Disciples

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In the New Testament, the account of Jesus' disciples plucking heads of corn on the Sabbath is a significant event that highlights the tension between Jesus and the Pharisees regarding the interpretation of the Law. This incident is recorded in the Synoptic Gospels: Matthew 12:1-8, Mark 2:23-28, and Luke 6:1-5.

Biblical Account:

In Matthew 12:1-2 , it is written: "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. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to Him, 'Look, Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.'"

Similarly, Mark 2:23-24 recounts: "One Sabbath Jesus was going 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 also describes the event: "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?'"

Cultural and Religious Context:

The act of plucking heads of corn by the disciples was not inherently unlawful according to the Mosaic Law. Deuteronomy 23:25 states, "When you enter your neighbor’s grainfield, you may pick kernels with your hands, but you must not put a sickle to his standing grain." This provision allowed for the meeting of immediate needs, such as hunger, without harvesting for profit.

However, the Pharisees considered the disciples' actions as a violation of the Sabbath, which was a day of rest and worship as commanded in Exodus 20:8-11. The Pharisees had developed an extensive set of oral traditions and interpretations that defined what constituted "work" on the Sabbath, and plucking grain was seen as reaping, which was prohibited.

Jesus' Response:

In response to the Pharisees' accusation, Jesus refers to the actions of David in 1 Samuel 21:1-6, where David ate the consecrated bread, which was lawful only for priests. Jesus highlights the principle that human need can take precedence over ceremonial law. He states in Matthew 12:7 , "If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent."

Furthermore, Jesus declares His authority over the Sabbath in Mark 2:27-28 : "Then He told them, 'The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. Therefore, the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.'"

Theological Implications:

This incident underscores the tension between legalistic interpretations of the Law and the spirit of the Law, which emphasizes mercy and compassion. Jesus' response to the Pharisees reveals His authority as the Messiah and His role in fulfilling the Law. By asserting that He is "Lord even of the Sabbath," Jesus affirms His divine authority to interpret the Law and to prioritize human need and mercy over ritualistic observance.

The event also serves as a teaching moment for His disciples and the broader audience, illustrating the importance of understanding the heart of God's commandments rather than adhering to rigid legalism.

Nave's Topical Index

Matthew 12:1
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.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Two Sabbath-Controversies - the Plucking of the Ears of Corn ...
... being hungry, [3553] as they went, [3554] plucked ears of ... involved: that of plucking
the ears of corn, ranged under ... as sifting; if she rubs the heads of wheat ...
/.../chapter xxxv the two sabbath-controversies.htm

Preaching for the Poor
... translations; I shall, therefore, have three heads, which shall be ... the hayfield and
the meadow, and plucked up his ... to Alexandria, where there was corn in plenty ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/preaching for the poor.htm

John Bunyan on the Terms of Communion and Fellowship of Christians ...
... I shall have occasion to touch, under two distinct heads. ... and great baptizer with
water; he preached Christ to come ... of repentance, and left his disciples to be ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/john bunyan on the terms.htm

The Sower.
... in the life are enumerated under two heads,""The care ... soon made up again, and the
corn waves level ... fame, or living treasures dearer still, had been plucked. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arnot/the parables of our lord/i the sower.htm

Preached Before the Governor, and Council, and the House of ...
... In a short time, though plucked as it were out of ... will continue to help, when the
weary heads of the ... Your Excellency, our pepper corn of acknowledgment for the ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/preached before the governor and.htm

Faustus Repels the Charge of Sun-Worship
... Hence it is that you bend and bow your heads to the sun ... It was when, in passing through
a field, the disciples plucked the ears of corn because they were ...
/.../faustus repels the charge of.htm

English Version of the Second Helvetic Confession, AD 1566.
... neither shall a hair fall from your heads' (Acts 27:22 ... Therefore, while his disciples
thought that they did see the spirit of their Lord Christ, he showed ...
/.../english version of the second.htm

Psalm L.
... the more, and before the Cross wagging their heads they said ... For when He shall have
plucked up, then the fire is ... will it sweep from the side of the corn to the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm l.htm

The Resurrection of the Dead, and Eternal Judgment:
... said to be dead"dead, twice dead, and plucked up by ... It is sown a single corn; it
riseth a full ear. ... Christ hath shewed us, what our body at our resurrection ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the resurrection of the dead.htm

A Few Sighs from Hell;
... the many tenders of a full Christ, instead of ... And how seldom do they trouble their
heads, to have their ... not the only blessedness, to have their corn, wine, and ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a few sighs from hell.htm