Jesus invokes two principles in the observance of the Sabbath, the day of rest: God's mercy towards his creatures, and his divine authority as the Son of God and Lord of the Sabbath.

The first principle is grounded on mercy and preservation of life, a response to a human need that is weightier than the Pharisee’s interpretation of the Law.

In fact, the Torah provides that to assuage immediate hunger, one is allowed to eat grapes in a neighbor’s vineyard (but not collecting them in baskets), and to pluck ears of grain from a neighbor’s field (but not to sickle) (Dt 23:25- 26).

The second principle shows Jesus as someone higher than David who allowed his hungry men to eat from sanctuary bread intended only for the priests.

As the Messiah and Son of God, Jesus is greater than David; he is also Lord of the Sabbath.

In fact, he is the “true Sabbath” as he is the “Rest” that God offers to his people, the reward and fullness of his salvation.

Jesus alone gives rest to our restless hearts.

Jesus was going through a field of grain on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat them.

When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, “See, your disciples are doing what is unlawful to do on the Sabbath.”

He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry, how he went into the house of God and ate the bread of offering, which neither he nor his companions but only the priests could lawfully eat?

Or have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath the priests serving in the temple violate the Sabbath and are innocent?

I say to you, something greater than the temple is here. If you knew what this meant, I desire mercy, not sacrifice, you would not have condemned these innocent men.

For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”