Luke 6:5Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

For there was a double feast; one on the principal sabbath, another on the next solemn day succeeding, which was also called a sabbath.

Now He says, on the second sabbath after the first, because the Jews called every feast a sabbath. For sabbath means rest. Frequently therefore was there feasting at the preparation, and they called the preparation a sabbath because of the feast, and hence they gave to the principal sabbath the name of the second-first, as being the second in consequence of the festival of the day preceding.

But the Pharisees and Scribes not knowing the Holy Scriptures agreed together to find fault with Christ’s disciples, as it follows, And certain of the Pharisees said unto them, Why do ye, &c. Tell me now, when a table is set before you on the sabbath day; do you not break bread? Why then do you blame others?

Not only in the form of expression, but in His very practice and mode of action, did the Lord begin to absolve man from the observance of the old law. Hence it is said, And it came to pass that he went through the corn fields, &c.

Shortly thereafter, it becomes evident.

(Note: See Matthew 12:8)

On the sabbath day then they were seen passing through the corn fields, and eating the corn, shewing that the bonds of the sabbath were loosened, when the great Sabbath was come in Christ, Who made us to rest from the working of our iniquities.

He says, On the second-first, because it was the second day of the Passover, but the first of unleavened bread. Having killed the passover, on the very next day they kept the feast of unleavened bread. And it is plain that this was so from the fact, that the Apostles plucked ears of corn and ate them, for at that time the ears are weighed down by the fruit.

For His disciples having no opportunity for eating because the multitudes thronged so, were naturally hungry, but by plucking the ears of corn they relieved their hunger, which is a mark of a strict habit of life, not seeking for prepared meats, but mere simple food.

During the following two Sabbaths, the significance of the Sabbath and the sacredness of its rest were discussed in depth, as earlier understandings had been clouded by new disagreements with the Pharisees. The first occurrence involved the Lord’s disciples, who, while traveling from Jerusalem and feeling hungry, plucked heads of grain from a field and ate them after rubbing them in their hands. The second instance took place when Jesus healed a man with a withered hand in the synagogue, doing so solely by speaking a word without any physical action. This healing occurred in Galilee.

The Christ whom they pursue is indeed more significant than the temple, and as the Son of Man, He reigns over the Sabbath. Instead of getting caught up in the insignificant details of rabbinical teachings, it would be wise for them to recall the profound words of the prophet: mercy is greater than sacrifice (Hos. 6:6), and compassion holds more value than lifeless ritual.

The scribes and Pharisees focused their efforts on adhering to the external facets of the Law, which they refined through their own interpretations, often to excessive detail, while overlooking its deeper significance. This neglect gave rise to the insensitivity and hardness of heart with which they treated others. The Lord’s words served as a stern admonition to these self-righteous legalists: “Would that ye knew what is: I desire mercy, and not sacrifice; neither would ye condemn the innocent.” The prophet Hosea (6:6) also emphasized the necessity of love for one’s neighbor as a fundamental aspect of the Law, yet the spiritual leaders failed to grasp his message. Ultimately, Jesus Christ concluded His teaching by declaring that the Sabbath was created for humanity, not vice versa.