In this ongoing series of studies on the Gospels, we examine the incident of Jesus and His disciples being accused of Sabbath-breaking for taking handfuls of grain as they walked through the fields on the Sabbath. What were the Pharisees' rules regarding what constituted "work" on the Sabbath, were Jesus and His disciples violating them and what was Jesus' response to their accusations? We then look at Jesus' healing of a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath, why the Pharisees accused Him of breaking the Sabbath, and Jesus' response to their accusations. Lastly, we look at why the two lists of the 12 apostles in Mark and Luke appear to be different.

Scott Ashley

United Church of God Pastor, Beyond Today Managing Editor

Scott Ashley is managing editor of Beyond Today magazine, United Church of God booklets and its printed Bible Study Course. He and his wife, Connie, live near Denver, Colorado. 
Mr. Ashley attended Ambassador College in Big Sandy, Texas, graduating in 1976 with a theology major and minors in journalism and speech. It was there that he first became interested in publishing, an industry in which he has worked for 50 years.