Did Jesus' Disciples Violate the Sabbath?

Many today, whether wittingly or not, subscribe to the idea of “situation ethics.” In situation ethics, right and wrong depend upon the situation; there are no universal moral rules or rights – each case is unique and deserves a unique solution. For example, lying may be permissive if there are “good intentions,” and abortion may become acceptable under “special circumstances.” Some Christians have subscribed to this idea as well. The account in Matthew 12:1-8, which records Jesus’ disciples plucking corn on the Sabbath day, is sometimes used by Christians to defend situation ethics.

In the Biblical account, Jesus’ disciples were plucking corn to eat on the Sabbath day. The Pharisees accused Jesus & His disciples of violating the Sabbath law. Jesus proceeded to defend His disciples’ actions. Some questions to consider: Was Jesus endorsing situation ethics? Did Jesus permit the disciples to violate the Sabbath due to their hunger? Let us take a closer examination.

1.  Unfounded condemnation (v.1-2)

The Pharisees accused the disciples of violating the Sabbath. In contrast, Jesus said the disciples were “guiltless” (v.7). The disciples had broken no law. Plucking corn to eat is not the same as harvesting the fields (cf. Deuteronomy 23:25). Hence, the disciples were not violating the Sabbath; rather, they were just eating. The only thing the disciples had violated were the Pharisees’ overly strict man-made traditions (cf. Matthew 23:4).

2. Misdirected condemnation (v.3-4)

Jesus then proceeded to use the example of David to further prove His point. David had eaten the showbread from the tabernacle, which was “not lawful” for him to eat (cf. 1 Samuel 21:1-6). Only the priests were allowed to eat the showbread (Exodus 29:32-33). The Pharisees glorified David, who did something unlawful; however, they condemned Jesus’ disciples, who had done nothing unlawful. Hence, they were condemning the wrong person.

3. Undiscerning condemnation (v.5-6)

Jesus then brought in the example of the priests. The priestly work continued even on the Sabbath day (cf. Numbers 28:9-10; John 7:22-23). Obviously, the priests were “blameless” in this regard. The example of the priestly work makes it clear that not every kind of work is forbidden on the Sabbath day. Aside from the priestly work, Jesus would go on to demonstrate that benevolent works were lawful on the Sabbath day too (v. 11-12). Hence, the disciples’ action in plucking corn to eat on the Sabbath was not necessarily unlawful too.

4. Unmerciful condemnation (v.7)

Jesus quotes: “I will have mercy, and not sacrifice” (cf. Hosea 6:6). Although God does desire sacrifices (cf. Malachi 1:6), God would despise the Israelites’ sacrifices if they did not practice mercy in their everyday lives (cf. Hosea 6:7-11). The Pharisees may put on a show of holiness with their man-made rituals, but their poor grasp of mercy caused them to misapply God’s law. Hence, they have wrongly condemned Jesus’ disciples based on their overly strict man-made traditions.

5. Unqualified condemnation (v.8)

Jesus proclaimed that He is Lord of the Sabbath day. In other words, Jesus, being God Himself, made the Sabbath law, and hence, He knows it best! For the Pharisees to argue with Jesus about the Sabbath law is therefore a fruitless exercise. They were completely ill-qualified to condemn Jesus’ disciples, when the Lord of the Sabbath was standing right before them.

Concluding remarks

Having examined Matthew 12:1-8 closely, we can conclude that we cannot use this passage to justify situation ethics. Jesus was not justifying His disciples’ unlawful actions; rather, His disciples were innocent in the first place! This passage reminds us of the importance of interpreting and applying God’s Word correctly. In order to avoid the same mistakes as the Pharisees, let us study God’s Word diligently so that we can be an approved workman of God, “rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).