1 One Sabbath day Jesus walked through the grainfields. His disciples were hungry. So they began to break off some heads of grain and eat them.
2 The Pharisees saw this. They said to Jesus, "Look! It is against the Law to do this on the Sabbath. But your disciples are doing it anyway!"
3 Jesus answered, "Haven't you read about what David did? He and his men were hungry.
4 So he entered the house of God. He and his men ate the holy bread. Only priests were allowed to eat it.
5 Haven't you read the Law? It tells how every Sabbath day the priests in the temple have to do their work on that day. But they are not considered guilty.
6 "I tell you that one who is more important than the temple is here.
7 Scripture says, 'I want mercy and not sacrifice.' (Hosea 6:6) You don't know what those words mean. If you did, you would not bring charges against those who are not guilty.