Bible Strands
Matthew 12:2
When the Pharisees saw this, they said to Him, “Look, Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The Pharisees observe the disciples picking grain on the Sabbath and confront Jesus directly about their actions (Matthew 12:2).
The words — ἰδόντες (idontes) means "having seen," and εἶπαν (eipan) means "they said," structuring the Pharisees' response as a verbal charge immediately following their visual observation.
The thread — The accusation builds on the grain-picking event in Matthew 12:1, parallels the Sabbath healing dispute in Matthew 12:10, and intersects with the Sabbath command in Exodus 20:9 and Jesus' defense of His works in John 7:21.
Why it lands — The text records the Pharisees stating that the disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath, which sets the immediate context for Jesus' citation of David in Matthew 12:3.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day.
Cross-references
- Matthew 12:10 and a man with a withered hand was there. In order to accuse Jesus, they asked Him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”
- John 7:21 Jesus answered them, “I did one miracle, and you are all amazed.
- Exodus 20:9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work,
- Exodus 31:15 For six days work may be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of complete rest, holy to the LORD. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day must surely be put to death.
- Mark 3:2 In order to accuse Jesus, they were watching to see if He would heal on the Sabbath.
- Luke 13:10 One Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues,
- Luke 14:3 So Jesus asked the experts in the law and the Pharisees, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?”
- Exodus 23:12 For six days you are to do your work, but on the seventh day you must cease, so that your ox and your donkey may rest and the son of your maidservant may be refreshed, as well as the foreign resident.
- Exodus 35:2 For six days work may be done, but the seventh day shall be your holy day, a Sabbath of complete rest to the LORD. Whoever does any work on that day must be put to death.
- Numbers 15:32 While the Israelites were in the wilderness, a man was found gathering wood on the Sabbath day.