The story, which forms the text of today, may be termed as a
Sabbath controversy.
Matthew refers here to Sabbath for the first time in his
gospel. The point of contention is not very clear in Matthew, because the law
permitted a person passing through a neighbour’s grain field to pluck heads of
corn and eat them (Deut 23:23-25). The point here thus seems to be whether such an
act could be done on the Sabbath.
While in Mark the Pharisees ask a question,
in Matthew, they are clearly hostile and make a charge. In his response to the
Pharisees, Jesus refers to the story of David in 1 Samuel 21:1-6, where
David went beyond the rule to the need of his men. If David could do such a
thing, then Jesus who is greater than David can do so even more.
The Matthean
Jesus also refers to the text from Numbers 28:9-10 where the priests in the
Temple sacrifice there on the Sabbath, indicating that sacrifice is greater
than the Sabbath. Since mercy is greater than sacrifice, it is surely greater
than the Sabbath.
Reaching
out in love to anyone in need takes precedence over every rule, law and
regulation. It is the human who must always come first. The rule, law and
regulation follows.
