Devine Scripture

Matthew 12:2

What does Matthew 12:2 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 12:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 12:2 means

The Pharisees confront Jesus about his disciples’ action, calling it unlawful on the Sabbath. Their accusation represents a legalistic approach—concern for ritual compliance rather than the disciples’ need. Their challenge presses Jesus for a ruling, exposing their role as enforcers of tradition. The verse shows the Pharisees’ readiness to condemn what they understand as Sabbath-breaking, and sets up Jesus’ defense of mercy and proper interpretation of Scripture.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But the Pharisees, when they saw it, said to him, See, your disciples do that which it is not right to do on the Sabbath.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and the Pharisees having seen, said to him, `Lo, thy disciples do that which it is not lawful to do on a sabbath.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And the Pharisees seeing them, said to him: Behold thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath days.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But the Pharisees, seeing [it], said to him, Behold, thy disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on sabbath.

Context

This accusation immediately follows the grainfield incident and introduces the conflict with religious leaders. The chapter will use this clash to contrast Jesus’ interpretation of the law with the Pharisees’. The exchange moves the discussion from a small act of need to larger questions about law, mercy, and authority.

v.1At that season Jesus went on the sabbath day through the grainfields; and his disciples were hungry and began to pluck ears and to eat.

v.2This passage

v.3But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was hungry, and they that were with him;

Cross references

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

  • Matthew 12:10

    and behold, a man having a withered hand. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day? that they might accuse him.

  • Luke 23:56

    And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments. And on the sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

  • Luke 13:10

    And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath day.

  • Isaiah 58:13

    If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, and the holy of Jehovah honorable; and shalt honor it, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:

  • Exodus 31:15

    Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day is a sabbath of solemn rest, holy to Jehovah: whosoever doeth any work on the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.

  • Exodus 23:12

    Six days thou shalt do thy work, and on the seventh day thou shalt rest; that thine ox and thine ass may have rest, and the son of thy handmaid, and the sojourner, may be refreshed.

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