Matthew 12:1-13 ▼

1 At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbaths, and His disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck the heads of grain and to eat.

2 And the Pharisees, having seen, said to Him, “Behold, Your disciples do what it is not lawful to do on a Sabbath.”

3 And He said to them, “Did you? not read what David did when he was hungry, and those with him—

4 how he entered into the house of God, and they ate the loaves of the presentation, which it was not lawful for him to eat, nor for those with him, except for the priests only?

5 Or did you? not read in the Law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath and are guiltless?

6 But I say to you? that a greater One than the temple is here.

7 But if you? had known what is ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice,’ then you? would not have condemned the guiltless.

8 For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”

9 And having departed from there, He went into their synagogue.

10 And behold, a man having a withered hand, and they asked Him, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbaths?” so that they might accuse Him.

11 And He said to them, “What man will there be of you? who will have one sheep, and if this one should fall into a pit on the Sabbaths, will not take hold of it and will raise it up?

12 How much more valuable, therefore, is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful on the Sabbaths to do good.”

13 Then He says to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and it was restored, sound as the other.