Matthew 12:8 is the eighth verse in the twelfth chapter of the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament. Content In the original Greek according to Westcott-Hort, this verse is: Κύριος γάρ ἐστι καὶ τοῦ σαββάτου ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου. In the King James Version of the Bible the text reads: For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day. The New International Version translates the passage as: For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath." Analysis The word "even" (KJV) is not in all Greek manuscripts. It seems to imply that Jesus is Lord over everything. This final reason is given to justify the actions of the disciples. Since they were dispensed by Jesus, who "was Lord even of the Sabbath", and thus could dispense or change its observance. Commentary from the Church Fathers Chrysostom: " Observe again how in leading the discourse towards an apology for them, He shows His disciples to be above the need of any apology, and to be indeed blameless, as He had said above of the Priests. And He adds yet another plea which clears them of blame, For the Son of Man is Lord also of the sabbath." Saint Remigius: " He calls Himself the Son of Man, and the meaning is, He whom ye suppose a mere man is God, the Lord of all creatures, and also of the sabbath, and He has therefore power to change the law after His pleasure, because He made it." Augustine: " He did not forbid His disciples to pluck the ears of corn on the sabbath, that so He might convict both the Jews who then were, and the Manichæans who were to come, who will not pluck up a herb lest they should be committing a murder." Hilary of Poitiers: " Figuratively; First consider that this discourse was held at that time, namely, when He had given thanks to the Father for giving salvation to the Gentiles. The field is the world, the sabbath is rest, the corn the ripening of them that believe for the harvest; thus His passing through the corn field on the sabbath, is the coming of the Lord into the world in the rest of the Law; the hunger of the disciples is their desire for the salvation of men." Rabanus Maurus: " They pluck the ears of corn when they withdraw men