While Jesus and his disciples are walking through grainfields, some Pharisees begin to question the disciples about what they are doing on the Sabbath, which, in God's law, has been set aside for God.
This phrase is used here to mark the beginning of a new part of the story. If your language has a way for doing this, you can consider using it here. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent]])
They did this to separate the grain seeds. This can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "They rubbed them in their hands to separate the grains from the husks" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])