Matthew 12:3

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

Jesus replied, “Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry?

American Standard Version (1901)

But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was hungry, and they that were with him;

Bible in Basic English

But he said to them, Have you no knowledge of what David did when he had need of food, and those who were with him?

Douay-Rheims 1899

But he said to them: Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, and they that were with him:

Free Bible Version

But Jesus told them, “Haven't you read what David did when he and his men were hungry?

Geneva Bible 1599

But he said vnto them, Haue ye not read what Dauid did when he was an hungred, and they that were with him?

King James (Authorized) Version

But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him;

One Unity Resource Bible

But he said to them, “Haven’t you read what David [Beloved] did, when he was hungry, and those who were with him;

Translation for Translators

Jesus wanted to show them that the record in the Scriptures indicated that God permitted people to disobey certain religious laws when they needed food. So he said to them, “It is written {Someone wrote} in the Scriptures [RHQ] what our revered ancestor King David did when he and the men with him were hungry. You have read about that, ◄but you do not think about what it implies!/so why do you not think about what it implies?► [RHQ]

Unlocked Literal Bible

But Jesus said to them, “Have you never read what David did, when he was hungry, and the men who were with him?

Noah Webster Bible

But he said to them, Have ye not read what David did when he was hungry, and they that were with him;

World English Bible

But he said to them, “Haven’t you read what David did when he was hungry, and those who were with him:

Young's Literal Translation

And he said to them, 'Did ye not read what David did, when he was hungry, himself and those with him —

Context

The Lord of the Sabbath

²When the Pharisees saw this, they said to Him, “Look, Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.”³Jesus replied, “Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? ⁴He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread, which was not lawful for them to eat, but only for the priests.

Sermons

Christ Is All - in Scripture

Bill McLeod

1.6K

Compared View of the First Three Gospels, Etc.

John Nelson Darby

Summary

In Matthew 12:3, Jesus refers to the Old Testament account of David and his companions eating the consecrated bread, which was reserved only for the priests. By mentioning this incident, Jesus highlights the principle of mercy over legalistic observance of the law. He emphasizes the importance of compassion and understanding in interpreting and applying God's commandments, showing that human need and well-being take precedence over strict adherence to religious regulations. This verse underscores Jesus' authority to reinterpret traditional practices in light of God's overarching principles of love and grace.

Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill
Tyndale

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

But he said unto them, Have ye not read--or, as Mark (Mar 2:25) has it, "Have ye never read." what David did when he was an hungered, and they that were with him-- (Sa1 21:1-6)

John Gill Bible Commentary

But he said unto them, have ye not read,.... If they had not read the Scriptures, they were very unfit persons either to be teachers, or censurers of others, and must have been very slothful and negligent; and if they had, they could not but have observed the case of David, which Christ produces in vindication of his disciples: what David did when he was an hungred; which was the case of the disciples, and is therefore mentioned; it being also the circumstance which could, and did excuse what was done by David and his men: and the Jews themselves own, that in case of hunger the showbread might be eaten, by those that were not priests; not only that which was removed from the table, but that which was upon it; yea, even when there was none to put in its room (l); and that David was in the utmost distress, and therefore desired it, and it was granted him on that account. They represent him as thus saying to the priest (m), "when he found there was none but showbread, give it me, that we may not die with hunger; , "for danger of life drives away the sabbath";'' which perfectly agrees with our Lord's argument, and justifies the apostles conduct: and this was not a single fact of David's, but of others also; and they that were with him; for though in Sa1 21:1 he is said to be "alone, and no man with him"; yet this must be understood either comparatively, having but very few with him, and which were as none, considering his dignity; or thus, though none came with him to Ahimelech, pretending to the priest he had a secret affair of the king's to transact; and therefore had left his servants in a certain place, and desires bread for himself and them; concerning whom the priest and he discourses, as may be seen in the place referred to: so that though no man was with him at the priest's house, yet there were some with him, and who partook with him in eating of the showbread. (l) R. David Kimchi in 1 Sam. xxi. 5. (m) Laniado Cli Jaker, fol. 227. 2.

Matthew 12:3

The Lord of the Sabbath

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

Jesus replied, “Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry?

American Standard Version (1901)

But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was hungry, and they that were with him;

Bible in Basic English

But he said to them, Have you no knowledge of what David did when he had need of food, and those who were with him?

Douay-Rheims 1899

But he said to them: Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, and they that were with him:

Free Bible Version

But Jesus told them, “Haven't you read what David did when he and his men were hungry?

Geneva Bible 1599

But he said vnto them, Haue ye not read what Dauid did when he was an hungred, and they that were with him?

King James (Authorized) Version

But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him;

One Unity Resource Bible

But he said to them, “Haven’t you read what David [Beloved] did, when he was hungry, and those who were with him;

Translation for Translators

Unlocked Literal Bible

But Jesus said to them, “Have you never read what David did, when he was hungry, and the men who were with him?

Noah Webster Bible

But he said to them, Have ye not read what David did when he was hungry, and they that were with him;

World English Bible

But he said to them, “Haven’t you read what David did when he was hungry, and those who were with him:

Young's Literal Translation

And he said to them, 'Did ye not read what David did, when he was hungry, himself and those with him —

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill
Tyndale

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

But he said unto them, Have ye not read--or, as Mark (Mar 2:25) has it, "Have ye never read." what David did when he was an hungered, and they that were with him-- (Sa1 21:1-6)

John Gill Bible Commentary

Matthew 12:3

Verse

Context

The Lord of the Sabbath

Sermons

Summary

Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Tyndale Open Study Notes

Matthew 12:3

The Lord of the Sabbath

Christ Is All - in Scripture

Compared View of the First Three Gospels, Etc.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Tyndale Open Study Notes