Matthew 12:2 - Exposition

But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him . The Revised Version ( but the Pharisees , when they saw it , said unto him ) retains the simple order of the Greek, which more vividly represents the Pharisees as a party opposed to him. Behold. They suggest that he had not noticed it. Were the disciples behind him (cf. Matthew 8:23 )? Thy disciples . Notice that all the accusations brought against the disciples in this Gospel concern food: Matthew 9:14 , as regards abstaining from it upon fixed days; Matthew 15:2 , as regards eating it without taking extreme precautions against ceremonial pollution; in the present passage, as regards avoiding any profanation of the sabbath for its sake. Do . At this moment. That which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day ( Matthew 15:1 , note).