12 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. ² But the Pharisees, when they saw it, said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which it is not lawful to do upon the sabbath. ³ But he said unto them, ^[a]Have ye not read what David did, when he was hungry, and they that were with him; ⁴ how he entered into the house of God, and ^[b]ate the showbread, which it was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them that were with him, but only for the priests? ⁵ Or have ye not read in the law, ^[c]that on the sabbath day the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are guiltless? ⁶ But I say unto you, that ^[d]one greater than the temple is here. ⁷ But if ye had known what this meaneth, ^[e]I desire mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless. ⁸ For the Son of man is lord of the sabbath.