Matthew Poole and continuators on Matthew 12:1

1 AT that time Jesus went on the Sabbath-day through the corn, and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat.

Mark relating this Story, Ch. 2.23. varieth little. Luke relating it, Chap. 6.1. saith it was on the Second Sabbath after the first, and his Disciples did eat rubbing them. God in his Law, Deut. 23.25. had said, when thou comest into thy Neighbours Standing Corn, thou mayest pluck the Ears with thy Hand, but thou shalt not move a Sickle to thy Neighbours Standing Corn. To take for our need so much of our Neighbours Goods, as we may reasonably think that if he were present, and knew our Circumstances, he would give us, is no Theft. The Pharisees therefore do not accuse them of Theft, but of Violation of the Sabbath. Luke saith, This happened upon the second Sabbath after the first. Whether that was the Sabbath next following the Feast of Vnleavened Bread, (which was about the time of our Easter) the first and last days, of which were Sabbaths in the Jewish Sense, or the Feast of Tabernacles, or any other is not much Material for us to know. But on a Sabbath Day it was, that our Saviour went through the Corn, and his Disciples were an hungry, this may teach us their low Estate, and condition in the World. He could quickly have supplyed their hunger, but he chose to leave them to relieve themselves with Plucking, Rubbing and Eating of the Corn, that he might have an opportunity, to instruct them, and the Pharisees in the true Doctrine of the Sabbath.