Mark 2:25

Jesus answered by referring to an event in the life of King David (1 Samuel 21). David and his men ate the sacred bread, the twelve loaves in the tabernacle that only priests were allowed to eat (see Leviticus 24:5–9). In that sense, they did what the law did not permit. But Jesus showed that a deeper principle was also at work (Mark 2:27–28).

In this controversy, Jesus and his disciples are accused of breaking the Sabbath (Exodus 20:8–11). Picking grain by hand in another person’s field was lawful (Deuteronomy 23:25). The charge was that by rubbing the chaff from the kernels, the disciples were working on the Sabbath, which was forbidden (Exodus 34:21).

Five controversy stories (2:1–12, 13–17, 18–22, 23–28; 3:1–6) are grouped together because they share a common theme. Each story shows a conflict between Jesus and the religious leaders. In these accounts, Jesus says or does things that challenge their beliefs and practices. These stories show the great authority that Jesus has.