The Christines go through a field of ripe wheat, and the disciples eat of the wheat. Jesus exonerates them. The Christines return to Capernaum. Jesus heals a withered hand on the Sabbath, and defends his deed.
Another Sabbath day had come and Jesus and the twelve walked through a field of ripened wheat.
2 And they were hungry and they took the heads of wheat and in their hands threshed out the grain and ate.
3 Among the men who followed them were Pharisees of strictest sect, and when they saw the twelve thresh out the wheat and eat, they said to Jesus,
4 Sir, why do the twelve do that which is not lawful on the Sabbath day?
5 And Jesus said, Have you not heard what David did when he and those who followed him had need of food?
6 How he went to the house of God and from the table in the Holy Place took of the presence bread and ate, and gave to those who followed him?
7 I tell you, men, the needs of man are higher than the law of rites.
8 And in our sacred books we read how priests profane the Sabbath day in many ways while they are serving in the Holy Place, and still are free from guilt.
9 The Sabbath day was made for man; man was not made to fit the Sabbath day.