Looking at Matthew 12:1-8, we see the rebellion against the King getting more and more fierce. In our verses we see the religious leaders in conflict with Jesus again. Jesus declares to the religious leaders that God is more interested in the heart than empty outward observances. Jesus boldly stated to them that He, not the Pharisees, was the Lord of the Sabbath. This was another way of claiming to be God since God had ordained the Sabbath.