Beginning with His attendance at an unnamed feast in Jerusalem, Jesus had three different confrontations with the religious leaders, on possibly three consecutive Sabbath days, concerning it’s proper observance.

The first was when he healed the man at the pool of Bethesda, and commanded him to carry his bed on the Sabbath. When challenged, Jesus claimed the prerogatives of God the Jews desired to kill Him. After this, Jesus and His disciples were watched more closely than ever before.

On the next Sabbath some spiritual spies observed the disciples of Jesus plucking and rubbing it in their hands to remove the chaff. This practice, while otherwise allowed, could not be done on the Sabbath.

The religious leaders had taken the commandment concerning the Sabbath and had added many rules and regulation (1500) to the point of absurdity. They were also very devious in finding ways to excuse themselves when they violated their own rules. Thus, the disciples were considered guilty of both reaping and threshing on the Sabbath.

When Jesus was challenged, He rebuked these hypocrites with the Word by asking, “Have ye not read?” He referred to David and his band eating the unlawful showbread because of necessity and to the fact that the priest profane the Sabbath by working in the temple but were considered blameless. Once again He asserted that He was God by claiming to be greater than the temple.

Jesus quoted Hosea 6:6 that God desires mercy more than sacrifice. He stated that the Sabbath was made to serve man rather than for man to serve the Sabbath. The Sabbath was instituted that man might rest from his labors. The prohibition against work was a protection against exacting employers who for the sake of greed would work the laborer every available day and hour.