King James Version

What Does Luke 6:1 Mean?

Luke 6:1 in the King James Version says “And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he went through the corn fields; and his disciples pluck...” — study this verse from Luke chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he went through the corn fields; and his disciples plucked the ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands.”

Luke 6:1 · KJV

Context

1

And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he went through the corn fields; and his disciples plucked the ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands.

2

And certain of the Pharisees said unto them, Why do ye that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath days?

3

And Jesus answering them said, Have ye not read so much as this, what David did, when himself was an hungred, and they which were with him;

Read Luke 6 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he went through the corn fields; and his disciples plucked the ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands. This incident ignites controversy over Sabbath observance. The phrase the second sabbath after the first (ἐν σαββάτῳ δευτεροπρώτῳ, en sabbatō deuteroprōtō) uses a compound adjective deuteroprōtos (δευτερόπρωτος, literally "second-first") appearing only here in Scripture. Scholars debate its meaning—possibly the first Sabbath after Passover's second day, or the second Sabbath in a counting sequence. Regardless, it establishes clear Sabbath context.

Jesus and disciples went through the corn fields (διαπορεύεσθαι διὰ τῶν σπορίμων, diaporeuesthai dia tōn sporimōn). Sporimoi (σπόριμοι) refers to grain fields—wheat or barley, not American corn. The verb diaporeuomai (διαπορεύομαι) means to go through, travel across—they were walking through standing grain. His disciples plucked the ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands (ἔτιλλον οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ τοὺς στάχυας καὶ ἤσθιον, ψώχοντες ταῖς χερσίν, etillon hoi mathētai autou tous stachyas kai ēsthion, psōchontes tais chersin). Three verbs describe the action: tillō (τίλλω, "plucked"), esthiō (ἐσθίω, "ate"), and psōchō (ψώχω, "rubbing")—they picked grain heads, rubbed them in their hands to remove chaff, and ate the kernels.

This was perfectly legal under Mosaic law: Deuteronomy 23:25 allowed travelers to eat grain by hand from others' fields, though harvesting with a sickle was forbidden. The controversy wasn't theft but Sabbath violation. Pharisaic tradition classified plucking grain as 'reaping' and rubbing it as 'threshing'—both forbidden Sabbath work under their 39 categories of prohibited labor. Jesus's disciples violated Pharisaic tradition, not Torah itself. This sets up Jesus's authoritative reinterpretation of Sabbath law.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Sabbath observance was central to Jewish identity, codified in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:8-11) and reinforced throughout Torah. By the first century, Pharisaic scribes had developed extensive oral tradition defining Sabbath work—the Mishnah later enumerated 39 primary categories of forbidden labor, with countless subcategories. 'Reaping' and 'threshing' were among the 39, making the disciples' actions technically violate tradition though not Torah.

This incident occurred during grain harvest season (April-May), when disciples would be hungry from travel and ministry. That they resorted to eating raw grain suggests poverty—they had no provisions. Jewish hospitality normally provided for traveling teachers and disciples, but Jesus's itinerant ministry often meant going hungry (Matthew 8:20). The Pharisees' criticism reveals their priority: ritual purity over human need, tradition over mercy.

The debate reflects broader conflict between Jesus and Pharisees over authority. Who determines God's will—scribal tradition or Scripture itself? Jesus consistently prioritized Scripture over tradition (Mark 7:1-13), mercy over sacrifice (Matthew 9:13, 12:7), and human welfare over ritual (Mark 2:27). This Sabbath controversy became a major flashpoint leading to Pharisaic plots to kill Jesus (Mark 3:6). Early Christians faced similar conflicts over Sabbath and Jewish law, eventually recognizing Sunday (the Lord's Day, Revelation 1:10) as the Christian worship day, celebrating resurrection rather than creation rest.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the conflict between Torah and Pharisaic tradition illustrate the danger of adding human rules to God's commands?
  2. What does Jesus's defense of the disciples teach about the relationship between law-keeping and meeting human needs?
  3. How should Christians today navigate the tension between religious traditions and biblical principles?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 22 words
Ἐγένετο1 of 22

“it came to pass”

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

δὲ2 of 22

“And”

G1161

but, and, etc

ἐν3 of 22

“on”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

σαββάτῳ4 of 22

“sabbath”

G4521

the sabbath (i.e., shabbath), or day of weekly repose from secular avocations (also the observance or institution itself); by extension, a se'nnight,

δευτεροπρώτῳ5 of 22

“after the first”

G1207

second-first, i.e., (specially) a designation of the sabbath immediately after the paschal week (being the second after passover day, and the first of

διαπορεύεσθαι6 of 22

“went”

G1279

to travel through

αὐτοῦ7 of 22

“his”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

διὰ8 of 22

“through”

G1223

through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)

τῶν9 of 22
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

σπορίμων10 of 22

“the corn fields”

G4702

sown, i.e., (neuter plural) a planted field

καὶ11 of 22

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἔτιλλον12 of 22

“plucked”

G5089

to pull off

οἱ13 of 22
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

μαθηταὶ14 of 22

“disciples”

G3101

a learner, i.e., pupil

αὐτοῦ15 of 22

“his”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

τοὺς16 of 22
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

στάχυας17 of 22

“the ears of corn”

G4719

a head of grain (as standing out from the stalk)

καὶ18 of 22

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἤσθιον19 of 22

“did eat”

G2068

used only in certain tenses, the rest being supplied by g5315; to eat (usually literal)

ψώχοντες20 of 22

“rubbing”

G5597

to triturate, i.e., (by analogy) to rub out (kernels from husks with the fingers or hand)

ταῖς21 of 22
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

χερσίν22 of 22

“them in their hands”

G5495

the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by hebraism) a means or instrument)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 6:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 6:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 23:25Mark 2:23-28Matthew 12:1-8Leviticus 23:7Leviticus 23:10-11Exodus 12:15

Test Your Knowledge

Luke 6 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterLuke Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Luke 6 with CommentaryAll Luke ChaptersComplete Luke QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes