Luke 6:1-5

Applebury's Comments

Plucking Grain on the Sabbath
Scripture

Luke 6:1-5 Now it came to pass on a sabbath, that he was going through the grainfields; and his disciples plucked the ears, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands. 2 But certain of the Pharisees said, Why do ye that which it is not lawful to do on the sabbath day? 3 And Jesus answering them said, Have ye not read even this, what David did, when he was hungry, he, and they that were with him; 4 how he entered into the house of God, and took and ate the showbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat save for the priests alone? 5 And he said unto them, The Son of man is lord of the sabbath.

Comments

Now it came to pass on a sabbath day.Many of the incidents described in the Gospel record occurred on a sabbath day. It was natural for the writers to tell about those occasions when the people gathered together for their regular synagogue services. But there was more than this to it. The enemies of Jesus frequently attacked Him for doing what they said was unlawful on the sabbath. They, of course, were never able to prove Him guilty on this charge. On one occasion, Jesus challenged them by asking, Which of you convicteth me of sin? John 8:46. Although they tried hard, they were never able to convict Him, for He was the sinless Son of God and Son of Man.

rubbing them in their hands.This constituted work, in the minds of His accusers. It was not lawful on the sabbath, so they said.

Originally, no work was done on the sabbath. But Jesus reminded them that the Jews did many things on the sabbath which they did not consider work. They led their animals to water on the sabbath; they pulled the ox out of the ditch on the sabbath. But they considered this to be necessary, and not work.

Have you not read even this, what David did.Jesus-' answer to the charge of sabbath breaking carried a double thrust: First, they were ignorant of the Word, because they had not been reading it; second, they had neglected to read about Davids-' taking the showbread and giving it to his hungry men. Who were they to sit in judgment over the Son of Man and His disciples? Before condemning the innocent, these self-appointed leaders should read their own law.

The incident to which Jesus referred is found in 1 Samuel 21:1-7. David was fleeing from Saul. He came to Abimelech the priest and asked for anything he might have on hand. But there was no bread except the loaves that were used in the worship of the Lord. After David had assured the priest of the purity of his men, he was given the bread that only priests ate. As Jesus put it, It was not lawful to eat save for the priests alone. Evidently, such sacred regulations could be superseded by greater needs. Saving the lives of David and his men was, in the sight of God, more important than allowing only priests to use the bread. According to Matthew, Jesus added this important point, If ye had known what this meaneth, I desire mercy and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless (Matthew 12:7).

The Son of man is lord of the sabbath.He who had ordained the Law at Sinai had authority over it, not the critics of Jesus. And that ended the discussion for a time.