Or have you not read in the Law how on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath and are guiltless?
Christ here speaks as the ignorant might perceive it, calling it profanation when it is not truly so; the Law forbids our own employments but does not forbid the service of God. When works of piety are in view, they do not contradict one another but agree well together, and the true spiritual temple exempts its worshippers from blame far more than the physical one.
AI summary
The Jews had twisted the fourth commandment into a harsh strictness that Christ here corrects by His example. Works of necessity and mercy are lawful on the Sabbath; Christ's careful exposition proves the commandment stands firm for all ages, but His Church is freed from the rigid rules the Jewish elders had piled upon it.
AI summary
Commenting on Matthew 12:1-13
The priests slew sacrifices, split wood, kindled fire, kneaded showbread on the Sabbath without blame because their work served the temple. The Jewish canons held that whatever could not be done on Friday drove away the Sabbath law itself; the sanctuary had no prohibition that bound elsewhere.
AI summary