THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW - Chapter 12 - Verse 2

Verse 2. Upon the sabbath day. The Pharisees, doubtless desirous of finding fault with Christ, said that, in plucking the grain on the sabbath day, they had violated the commandment. Moses had commanded the Hebrews to abstain from all servile work on the sabbath, Ex 20:10; 35:2,3; Nu 15:32-36.

On any other day this would have been clearly lawful, for it was permitted, De 23:25.

{k} "not lawful" Ex 31:15