Study Desk

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.

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.

When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, "Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath."

When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, "Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath."

He answered, "Haven't you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry?

He answered, "Haven't you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry?

He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread—which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests.

He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread—which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests.

Or haven't you read in the Law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple desecrate the day and yet are innocent?

Or haven't you read in the Law that the priests on Sabbath duty in the temple desecrate the Sabbath and yet are innocent?

I tell you that one greater than the temple is here.

I tell you that something greater than the temple is here.

If you had known what these words mean, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the innocent.

If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the innocent.

For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath."

For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath."