Jesus' Disciples: Lawbreakers Or Martyrs?

Jesus's disciples were accused of breaking the law on several occasions, but these accusations were largely based on the interpretation of religious laws and traditions. For example, Jesus's disciples were accused of breaking the Sabbath law when they picked and ate grain on the Sabbath, an act considered “harvesting” and “threshing” by the Pharisees. However, Jesus defended his disciples' actions, stating that the Sabbath was made for man and not the other way around. Similarly, Jesus himself was accused of breaking the law by healing people on the Sabbath, but he argued that he was working as his Father was working, prioritizing mercy and love over strict adherence to the law. These actions challenged the traditional interpretations of the law and provoked conflict with religious leaders, but Jesus maintained that he had not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it.

Jesus' disciples were accused of breaking the Sabbath by picking and eating grain

Jesus and his disciples were walking through some grain fields on the Sabbath. His disciples, being hungry, began to pick and eat the grains of wheat. When the Pharisees saw this, they accused the disciples of breaking the Sabbath law.

The Pharisees' interpretation of the Sabbath law was that no work should be done on that day. They considered the disciples' actions to be equivalent to harvesting and threshing, which was prohibited on the Sabbath. However, Jesus did not agree with this interpretation. He pointed out that the disciples' actions were permitted under Deuteronomic law (Deuteronomy 23:25) for travellers.

Jesus gave two examples to support his argument. Firstly, he mentioned the case of David and his companions, who ate consecrated bread, which was not lawful for them to do but only for the priests. Secondly, he referred to the priests on Sabbath duty in the temple, who desecrated the Sabbath yet were innocent. Jesus emphasised that something greater than the temple was present, and that the Pharisees should have known the meaning of the words, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice'. He also stated that the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.

Jesus' response to the Pharisees' accusation demonstrates his belief that the disciples' actions did not violate the Sabbath law. He prioritised compassion and human need over strict adherence to ritualistic law, foreshadowing his role as the spiritual nourishment and provision for his followers.

Jesus' disciples did not ritually wash their hands before eating

Jesus and his disciples did wash their hands before eating, but they did not follow the traditional Jewish custom of how to do so. The ritual washing of hands before eating was a Jewish tradition, not a law, and was not explicitly commanded in the Torah.

The Pharisees and scribes noticed that Jesus' disciples were eating with "defiled" hands, meaning they had not washed them in the traditional way. This involved pouring water over each hand in a specific way while chanting a blessing. The disciples' hands were considered defiled" because they had not been washed in the traditional way, and this was seen as a sin by the Pharisees and scribes.

Jesus responded to their accusations by pointing out that they were guilty of a greater offense: violating the clear law of honouring one's parents for the sake of a lesser interpretation of the law. He also taught that true defilement comes from within, from the heart, rather than from failing to observe ritualistic traditions.

Jesus touched a leper, breaking Jewish law

Jesus is recorded to have touched a leper, which was against Jewish law. According to Leviticus 5:3, "If he touches human uncleanness, of whatever sort his uncleanness may be with which he becomes unclean, and it is hidden from him, and then he comes to know it, he will be guilty."

However, Jesus's touch was not without purpose. The man knelt before him and said, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean." Jesus, moved with compassion, reached out and touched the man, saying, "I am willing; be cleansed." Immediately, the man was cured of his leprosy.

Jesus, being God, was not at risk of being infected, and so while he broke the letter of the law, he did not break the spirit of it. The law was intended to quarantine the unclean, but Jesus, by touching the man, spread the cure instead.

Jesus also replaced the ceremonial law when he established the church. As such, he did not sin by touching the leper.

Jesus' disciples were accused of stealing corn

Jesus's disciples were accused of breaking the Sabbath by plucking and eating corn, as described in the Book of Matthew 12:1-8. However, this was not considered stealing under Old Testament Laws, as outlined in Deuteronomy 23:24-25, which states:

> "When you enter your neighbour's vineyard, then you may eat grapes until you are fully satisfied, but you shall not put any in your basket. When you enter your neighbour's standing grain, then you may pluck the heads with your hand, but you shall not wield a sickle in your neighbour's standing grain."

Jesus himself also defended his disciples, saying that the Pharisees' issue was not about stealing, but about the timing of their actions, as they were doing this on the Sabbath. He also pointed to the fact that the priests in the temple break the Sabbath and are innocent.

The incident is an example of how Jesus broke or ignored religious rules and traditions, but not Old Testament laws. He denounced the religious rulers because they prioritised following rules over caring for other people and promoting justice and mercy. For instance, Jesus touched and healed a man with leprosy, which was forbidden under Jewish law. He also argued that the Sabbath was made for man's benefit, not the other way around, and that it was reasonable to heal someone on the Sabbath.

Jesus challenged the rigid understanding of the Pharisees

Jesus, on the other hand, emphasised that God is "gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love" (Psalm 145:8). He challenged the Pharisees' interpretation of the Sabbath, arguing that it was made for man, not man for the Sabbath (Mark 2:27). For example, Jesus' disciples were accused of breaking the Sabbath by plucking and eating grain while walking through a grain field (Matthew 12:1). Jesus responded by pointing out that the priests in the temple do their work on the Sabbath, and that the human necessity of hunger is more important than strict adherence to the law (Matthew 12:3-8).

Jesus also challenged the Pharisees' understanding of healing on the Sabbath. When they accused him of healing a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath, he responded by asking if they would not help a sheep that had fallen into a pit on the Sabbath (Matthew 12:11-12). Jesus argued that it is always lawful to do good, and that a person is more valuable than a sheep (Matthew 12:11-12).

In addition to challenging their interpretations of the Sabbath, Jesus also denounced the Pharisees for their focus on following rules rather than on caring for others and promoting justice and mercy (Matthew 23:23). He demonstrated this by touching and healing a man with leprosy, even though this was forbidden by Jewish law (Matthew 8:2-3).

Jesus' challenges to the Pharisees' rigid understanding of the law ultimately led to their opposition to him and his eventual crucifixion.

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