Devine Scripture

Luke 6:1

What does Luke 6:1 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 6:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 6:1 means

While walking through grainfields on the Sabbath, Jesus' disciples plucked heads of grain and ate them after rubbing them in their hands. This action, while permissible for the hungry under Mosaic Law for travelers passing through a field (Deuteronomy 23:25), was considered by some religious leaders as a form of harvesting and threshing, thus violating their strict interpretations of Sabbath work prohibitions. The disciples were simply satisfying their hunger, demonstrating a practical need that Jesus would soon use to challenge the prevailing legalistic views.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Now it came to pass on a sabbath, that he was going through the grainfields; and his disciples plucked the ears, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he went through the corn fields; and his disciples plucked the ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Now it came to pass on a sabbath, that he was going through the grainfields; and his disciples plucked the ears, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Now it came about that on the Sabbath he was going through the fields of grain, and his disciples took the heads of the grain for food, crushing them in their hands.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And it came to pass, on the second-first sabbath, as he is going through the corn fields, that his disciples were plucking the ears, and were eating, rubbing with the hands,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And it came to pass on the second first sabbath that, as he went through the corn fields, his disciples plucked the ears and did eat, rubbing them in their hands.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And it came to pass on [the] second-first sabbath, that he went through cornfields, and his disciples were plucking the ears and eating [them], rubbing [them] in their hands.

Context

This verse opens a section highlighting conflict between Jesus and the Pharisees over Sabbath observance. It immediately sets the scene for a confrontation, as the disciples' actions, though minor, are seen as transgressions by those watching. This incident directly leads into Jesus' defense and teaching about the true meaning and purpose of the Sabbath, demonstrating His authority over such interpretations.

v.1This passage

v.2But certain of the Pharisees said, Why do ye that which it is not lawful to do on the sabbath day?

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Exodus 12:15

    Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel.

  • Matthew 12:1

    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.

  • Deuteronomy 23:25

    When thou comest into thy neighbor’s standing grain, then thou mayest pluck the ears with thy hand; but thou shalt not move a sickle unto thy neighbor’s standing grain.

  • Mark 2:23

    And it came to pass, that he was going on the sabbath day through the grainfields; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears.

  • Leviticus 23:10

    Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye are come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring the sheaf of the first-fruits of your harvest unto the priest:

  • Leviticus 23:7

    In the first day ye shall have a holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Luke 6

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Luke 6.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Luke 6:1.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary