Luke 6:1-5

Luke 6:1-5

[1] And  it came to pass  on  sabbath  that he  went  through  the corn fields;  and  his  disciples  plucked  the ears of corn,  and  did eat,  rubbing  them in their hands.  [2] And  certain  of the Pharisees  said  Why  do ye  that which  not  lawful  to do  the sabbath days?  [3] And  Jesus  answering  them  said,  read  so much as  what  David  did,  himself  was an hungred,  and  they which  with  him;  [4] How  he went  into  the house  of God,  and  did take  and  eat  the shewbread,  and  gave  also  to them that were with  him;  which  not  lawful  to eat  the priests  alone?  [5] And  unto them,  the Son  of man  Lord  also  of the sabbath. 

What does Luke 6:1-5 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

The final two instances of confrontation with the Pharisees that Luke recorded involved Sabbath observance. The Sabbath was one of Judaism"s main institutions, and Jesus" violation of traditional views on Sabbath observance brought the religious leaders" antagonism toward Him to a climax. Here was a case in point that Jesus" new way could not exist with Israel"s old way. Sabbath observance had its roots not only in the Mosaic Law but in creation. Furthermore its recurrence every seventh day made it a subject of constant attention.
"The interesting thing about Jesus" approach is that He was not simply arguing that repressive regulations should be relaxed and a more liberal attitude adopted: He was saying that His opponents had missed the whole point of this holy day. Had they understood it they would have seen that deeds of mercy such as His were not merely permitted-they were obligatory (cf. John 7:23 f.)." [1]