Final answer:
Jesus told the Pharisees that the Sabbath should serve man's needs and not the other way around, emphasizing compassion over strict religious observance.
Step-by-step explanation:
When the Pharisees questioned Jesus regarding his disciples plucking and eating grain on the Sabbath, which they saw as unlawful, Jesus responded with a reference to how David ate the consecrated bread from the House of God when he and his companions were hungry (as found in the Gospel according to Mark 2:23-28 and corresponding passages in Matthew and Luke).
Jesus highlighted the principle that human need supersedes ritualistic observance, concluding with the statement, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath,” and asserting his authority by saying, “So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.” This episode is a clear indication of Jesus’ teaching on the importance of compassion over strict adherence to religious laws when they conflict with human welfare.