Jesus' Disciples: Breaking Laws And Changing History

Jesus's disciples were accused of breaking the Sabbath law by the Pharisees, who believed that the disciples' actions of picking and eating grain went against the Sabbath. However, Jesus defended his disciples, arguing that they were following the law as his Father intended. This incident highlights the differing interpretations of the law between Jesus and the Pharisees, with Jesus prioritizing human well-being, compassion, and mercy in his understanding of the law.

Eating grain on the Sabbath

Jesus and his disciples were accused of breaking Sabbath law by harvesting grain and eating it. This incident is recorded in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke.

The Pharisees, a religious group that strictly observed the Sabbath, saw the disciples of Jesus plucking heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands, and eating them. The Pharisees considered this to be

Eating without washing hands

In the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 15, Verse 2, it is written that the Pharisees accused the disciples of Jesus of breaking the "tradition of the elders" by not washing their hands before eating. This was not a matter of hygiene but a ceremonial practice, a ritual purification that was not explicitly commanded in the Torah. The Pharisees, known for their strict adherence to the Law and traditions, considered this practice essential for maintaining ritual purity.

The disciples' failure to follow this tradition was seen as disregarding established religious norms. Jesus, however, made a distinction between external rituals and internal purity, emphasising the condition of the heart over outward observance. He challenged the human tendency to prioritise man-made rules over God's direct instructions.

The practice of ritual hand-washing was based on the oral tradition, handed down by the Jewish elders and considered as authoritative as the written Law of Moses. This oral tradition included various interpretations and applications of the Mosaic Law. While the Law mandated that priests wash their hands before offering sacrifices, the Pharisees had extrapolated this to apply to all Jews, who had to wash their hands before eating any food.

The Pharisees' focus on external actions, such as hand-washing, reflected their concern with maintaining holiness through ritualistic traditions. Jesus, on the other hand, taught that true defilement comes from within, from the heart, rather than from failing to observe these external practices.

The disciples' eating without washing their hands was thus seen by the Pharisees as a violation of the elders' tradition and a disregard for established norms. However, Jesus defended their actions, prioritising inner spiritual health over mere external compliance with rituals.

Stealing corn

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus and his disciples are described as walking through a field of grain on the Sabbath. The disciples, feeling hungry, "began to pluck the ears of corn and to eat" (Matthew 12:1). This action drew the ire of the Pharisees, who accused the disciples of doing "what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath" (Matthew 12:2).

However, it is important to note that the disciples' actions were not considered theft. In fact, it was permitted by the law of Moses (Deuteronomy 23:24-25) and the laws of gleaning (Leviticus 19:9-10; 23:22; Deuteronomy 23:24-25). These laws allowed hungry travellers to pluck and eat grain from fields as they passed through.

The issue for the Pharisees was that they considered plucking and eating grain to be a form of "work", which was prohibited on the Sabbath. To them, this constituted "reaping" a crop, one of 39 forms of work specifically banned by their religious leaders.

Jesus responded to the Pharisees' accusation by citing examples from Scripture where similar actions were taken, such as David eating consecrated bread (Matthew 12:3-4) and priests performing sacrificial rituals in the Temple (Matthew 12:5). He argued that the disciples' actions were necessary to sustain human life, and thus took precedence over strict observance of the Sabbath.

In summary, while the disciples' actions may have technically violated the Pharisees' interpretation of the Sabbath laws, they were not considered stealing and were permitted under Mosaic law and the laws of gleaning. Jesus' defence of his disciples highlights the tension between his teachings and the strict interpretations of the Pharisees, a recurring theme in the Gospels.

Failing to wash after being around the masses

Jesus and his disciples were accused of failing to wash their hands before eating, which was considered a breach of the "tradition of the elders". However, it is important to note that this was not a commandment from God but rather a tradition or ritual practised by the Pharisees and other Jews. Jesus defended his disciples' actions by pointing out that they were upholding the commandment of God to honour one's father and mother, which was more important than following human traditions.

Jesus and his disciples likely did wash their hands before eating, but they did not follow the specific Jewish custom of pouring water over each hand in a particular way while chanting a blessing. The Pharisees and scribes considered this ritual washing to be essential for cleanliness and regarded hands that had not been ritually washed as "defiled" or unclean.

Jesus' response to the accusation reveals his priorities and interpretation of the law. He emphasised that the disciples were following the spirit of the law, which was more important than rigid adherence to external rituals or traditions. By defending his disciples' actions, Jesus highlighted the importance of honouring God and upholding the commandments while also challenging the religious leaders' focus on external rituals over internal purity and compassion.

Jesus' teachings and actions often clashed with the traditional interpretations of the Law of Moses, particularly the Sabbath laws, as he prioritised human well-being, mercy, and justice. His approach to the law was balanced, emphasising the spirit of the law over its letter and focusing on the relationship with God rather than religious rituals.

Carrying things on the Sabbath

The Pharisees accused Jesus' disciples of breaking Sabbath law by carrying things on the Sabbath. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus and his disciples are travelling through grain fields on the Sabbath. The disciples, hungry, begin to pick heads of grain and eat them. The Pharisees claim that this constitutes "harvesting" and "threshing", and is therefore work, which is forbidden on the Sabbath.

Jesus does not deny that his disciples have technically broken Sabbath law. Instead, he argues that the Pharisees' interpretation of the law is too stringent. He gives two examples to illustrate his point: David and his companions eating consecrated bread, and priests desecrating the Sabbath. Jesus argues that the law of ordinances is imperfect, and that the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath. He also points out the Pharisees' hypocrisy, noting that they revere David, who was guilty of breaking the law, while condemning Jesus' disciples, who are innocent.

Jesus' argument demonstrates that the Pharisees' interpretation of the Sabbath law is flawed. He shows that the law allows for exceptions, and that the disciples' actions were justified by their circumstances. He also asserts his own authority over the Sabbath law, as the Son of God.

Frequently asked questions