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Chapter 6

Debates About the Sabbath.[a] (A)While he was going through a field of grain on a sabbath, his disciples were picking the heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands, and eating them.(B) Some Pharisees said, “Why are you doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?” (C)Jesus said to them in reply, “Have you not read what David did when he and those [who were] with him were hungry?

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Footnotes

  1. 6:1–11 The two episodes recounted here deal with gathering grain and healing, both of which were forbidden on the sabbath. In his defense of his disciples’ conduct and his own charitable deed, Jesus argues that satisfying human needs such as hunger and performing works of mercy take precedence even over the sacred sabbath rest. See also notes on Mt 12:1–14 and Mk 2:25–26.