1. The Early Ministry & Selection of Disciples
Lesson 6

2. THE DISCIPLES PICK GRAIN ON THE SABBATH
Matthew 12:1-8
Mark 2:23-28
Luke 6:1-5
THE DISCIPLES PICK GRAIN ON THE SABBATH
Jesus and His disciples go through the grain field.
His hungry disciples began to pick and eat the heads of grain. Deuteronomy 23:25
The Pharisees objected: “Look, Your disciples what is not lawful to do on a Sabbath.”

3. The 39 Prohibited Activities As based on the Mishnah Tractate Shabbat 7:2, the 39 activities are:
Sowing Plowing Reaping Binding sheaves Threshing Winnowing Selecting Grinding Sifting Kneading Baking Shearing wool Washing wool
Beating wool Dyeing wool Spinning Weaving Making two loops Weaving two threads Separating two threads Tying Untying Sewing stitches Tearing Trapping Slaughtering
Flaying Tanning Scraping hide Marking hides Cutting hide to shape Writing two or more letters Erasing two or more letters Building Demolishing Extinguishing a fire Kindling a fire Putting the finishing touch on an object Transporting an object between a private domain and the public domain, or for a distance of 4 cubits within the public domain.

4. THE DISCIPLES PICK GRAIN ON THE SABBATH
Matthew 12:1-8
Mark 2:23-28
Luke 6:1-5
THE DISCIPLES PICK GRAIN ON THE SABBATH
The Sabbath in the Old Testament
Exodus 16:23-26; 20:1, 8-11; (Deuteronomy 5:12-15); Exodus 31:13-17; 35:1-3; Jeremiah 17:19-27; Isaiah 58:13- 14; Nehemiah 10:31; 13:15-22
Contrast with Isaiah 1:13; Hosea 2:11; Amos 8:5
Reasons for observance – reminder of God’s creation and His Lordship over.
Note: the Sabbath was not a day of fasting.

5. THE DISCIPLES PICK GRAIN ON THE SABBATH
Matthew 12:1-8
Mark 2:23-28
Luke 6:1-5
THE DISCIPLES PICK GRAIN ON THE SABBATH
Jesus on the Sabbath:
His disciples picking the heads of grain and eating them. Matthew 12:1-8
He healed the man with a withered hand. Matthew 12:9-14
He healed a woman 18 years bent over. Luke 13:10-17
He healed a man born blind. John 9

6. THE DISCIPLES PICK GRAIN ON THE SABBATH
Matthew 12:1-8
Mark 2:23-28
Luke 6:1-5
THE DISCIPLES PICK GRAIN ON THE SABBATH
Jesus’ arguments regarding the Sabbath:
You take care of the needs of your animals to lead them to water but criticize healing of a woman “whom Satan has bound for 18 long years.” Luke 13:15-16
You rescue your son or ox who fell into a well but condemn the healing of one suffering from dropsy. Luke 14:5

7. THE DISCIPLES PICK GRAIN ON THE SABBATH
Matthew 12:1-8
Mark 2:23-28
Luke 6:1-5
THE DISCIPLES PICK GRAIN ON THE SABBATH
Jesus’ arguments regarding the Sabbath:
You practice circumcision on the Sabbath but condemn Me for making “an entire man well.” John 7:23

8. THE DISCIPLES PICK GRAIN ON THE SABBATH
Matthew 12:1-8
Mark 2:23-28
Luke 6:1-5
THE DISCIPLES PICK GRAIN ON THE SABBATH
In this context Jesus offers six arguments:
The inconsistency with how they revered King David in spite of what he did in 1 Samuel 21:1-6; Leviticus 24:5-9
Does Jesus teach that human need supersede God’s law?
No! Jesus said of his actions, “… which was not lawful for him to eat …”

9. THE DISCIPLES PICK GRAIN ON THE SABBATH
Matthew 12:1-8
Mark 2:23-28
Luke 6:1-5
THE DISCIPLES PICK GRAIN ON THE SABBATH
The Law tells of the priests “breaking” the Sabbath by performing their priestly duties. Leviticus 24:8; Numbers 28:9-10
God’s word never contradicts itself!

10. THE DISCIPLES PICK GRAIN ON THE SABBATH
Matthew 12:1-8
Mark 2:23-28
Luke 6:1-5
THE DISCIPLES PICK GRAIN ON THE SABBATH
“Something greater than the temple is here.” Haggai 2:7-9; Malachi 3:1; John 1:14; Hebrews 3:3.

11. THE DISCIPLES PICK GRAIN ON THE SABBATH
Matthew 12:1-8
Mark 2:23-28
Luke 6:1-5
THE DISCIPLES PICK GRAIN ON THE SABBATH
“If you had known what this means, ‘I desire compassion, and not a sacrifice’, you would have not condemned the innocent.’”
Hosea 6:6; Matthew 9:10-13; cf. 1 Samuel 15:22; Psalms 51:16-17
Superficial, external, ritualistic obedience versus heartfelt, sincere, reverential service.

12. THE DISCIPLES PICK GRAIN ON THE SABBATH
Matthew 12:1-8
Mark 2:23-28
Luke 6:1-5
THE DISCIPLES PICK GRAIN ON THE SABBATH
“The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.” (Mark 2:27)
The Sabbath was to be for man’s spiritual benefit to honor God, not for man to bless the Sabbath.

13. THE DISCIPLES PICK GRAIN ON THE SABBATH
Matthew 12:1-8
Mark 2:23-28
Luke 6:1-5
THE DISCIPLES PICK GRAIN ON THE SABBATH
“The Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath” Mark 2:28
“Lord” – kurios – supreme in authority and power. One worthy of honor, reverence and respect.
Who did the Pharisees see as Lord of the Sabbath?

14. THE DISCIPLES PICK GRAIN ON THE SABBATH
Matthew 12:1-8
Mark 2:23-28
Luke 6:1-5
THE DISCIPLES PICK GRAIN ON THE SABBATH
Four times in this and the previous chapter Jesus affirms His superiority to things the Jews held dear:
11:11 – Greater than John the Baptist. Regarded as a prophet, however John’s purpose was to prepare the way for Jesus.
12:6 – Greater than the temple. Regarded with such honor as the place of worship. Jesus however is the object of our worship.
12:41 – Greater than Jonah. Whose preaching motivated the heathen nation of the Ninevites to repent. Do we recognize the superiority of the message and messenger compared to Jonah?
12:42 – Greater than Solomon. Whose wisdom inspired the Queen of Sheba to honor him. Do we recognized the superior wisdom of Jesus Christ the Son of God?