King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests?
Complete Jewish Bible:
He entered the House of God and ate the Bread of the Presence!" -- which was prohibited, both to him and to his companions; it is permitted only to the cohanim.
Berean Standard Bible:
He 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.
American Standard Version:
how he entered into the house of God, and ate the showbread, which it was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them that were with him, but only for the priests?
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
How{G4459} he entered into{G1525}{G1519} the house{G3624} of God{G2316}, and{G2532} did eat{G5315} the shewbread{G740}{G4286}, which{G3739} was{G2258} not{G3756} lawful{G1832} for him{G846} to eat{G5315}, neither for{G3761} them which{G3326} were with him{G846}, but{G1508} only{G3441} for the priests{G2409}?
Cross-References (KJV):
Leviticus 24:5
- And thou shalt take fine flour, and bake twelve cakes thereof: two tenth deals shall be in one cake.
Leviticus 24:9
- And it shall be Aaron's and his sons'; and they shall eat it in the holy place: for it [is] most holy unto him of the offerings of the LORD made by fire by a perpetual statute.
Exodus 25:30
- And thou shalt set upon the table shewbread before me alway.
Leviticus 8:31
- ¶ And Moses said unto Aaron and to his sons, Boil the flesh [at] the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and there eat it with the bread that [is] in the basket of consecrations, as I commanded, saying, Aaron and his sons shall eat it.
Exodus 29:32
- And Aaron and his sons shall eat the flesh of the ram, and the bread that [is] in the basket, [by] the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
Exodus 29:33
- And they shall eat those things wherewith the atonement was made, to consecrate [and] to sanctify them: but a stranger shall not eat [thereof], because they [are] holy.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Matthew 12:4
Matthew 12:4 is part of a narrative where Jesus is defending his disciples' actions on the Sabbath. The verse specifically references an event from the Old Testament, found in 1 Samuel 21:1-6, where David and his men, fleeing from King Saul, entered the house of God (the Tabernacle at Nob) and ate the consecrated bread, also known as the "shewbread" or "bread of the Presence." This bread was set aside for the priests alone as part of the ritual offerings in the Tabernacle, and according to the Law of Moses, it was not lawful for anyone else to eat it.
In the historical context, Jesus uses this example from the life of David to challenge the Pharisees' strict interpretation of the Sabbath laws. The Pharisees had accused Jesus' disciples of breaking the Sabbath by plucking heads of grain to eat as they walked through a field. Jesus' argument is that if David could break the letter of the law in a situation of necessity, then it is also permissible for his disciples to satisfy their hunger on the Sabbath. This reflects a broader theme in the Gospels where Jesus often highlights the spirit of the law over its strict literal observance, emphasizing mercy, compassion, and the importance of human need over ritualistic adherence.
The verse underscores the tension between Jesus and the religious authorities of the time regarding the interpretation and application of the Mosaic Law. It also serves to illustrate Jesus' authority, which supersedes that of the Old Testament figures and laws, and points to his role as the fulfillment of the law, bringing a new covenant that transcends the old regulations (Matthew 5:17).
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: G4459
There are 100 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πῶς
Transliteration: pōs
Pronunciation: poce
Description: adverb from the base of ποῦ; an interrogative particle of manner; in what way? (sometimes the question is indirect, how?); also as exclamation, how much!:--how, after (by) what manner (means), that. (Occasionally unexpressed in English). - Strong's Number: G1525
There are 186 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: εἰσέρχομαι
Transliteration: eisérchomai
Pronunciation: ice-er'-khom-ahee
Description: from εἰς and ἔρχομαι; to enter (literally or figuratively):--X arise, come (in, into), enter in(-to), go in (through). - Strong's Number: G1519
There are 1513 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: εἰς
Transliteration: eis
Pronunciation: ice
Description: a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), …ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively). - Strong's Number: G3624
There are 106 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: οἶκος
Transliteration: oîkos
Pronunciation: oy'-kos
Description: of uncertain affinity; a dwelling (more or less extensive, literal or figurative); by implication, a family (more or less related, literally or figuratively):--home, house(-hold), temple. - Strong's Number: G2316
There are 1172 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: θεός
Transliteration: theós
Pronunciation: theh'-os
Description: of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with ὁ) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward). - Strong's Number: G2532
There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καί
Transliteration: kaí
Pronunciation: kahee
Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet. - Strong's Number: G5315
There are 90 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: φάγω
Transliteration: phágō
Pronunciation: fag'-o
Description: a primary verb (used as an alternate of ἐσθίω in certain tenses); to eat (literally or figuratively):--eat, meat. - Strong's Number: G740
There are 91 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἄρτος
Transliteration: ártos
Pronunciation: ar'-tos
Description: from αἴρω; bread (as raised) or a loaf:--(shew-)bread, loaf. - Strong's Number: G4286
There are 12 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πρόθεσις
Transliteration: próthesis
Pronunciation: proth'-es-is
Description: from προτίθεμαι; a setting forth, i.e. (figuratively) proposal (intention); specially, the show-bread (in the Temple) as exposed before God:--purpose, shew(-bread). - Strong's Number: G3739
There are 1215 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὅς
Transliteration: hós
Pronunciation: ho
Description: probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article ὁ); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:--one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc. See also οὗ. - Strong's Number: G2258
There are 416 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἦν
Transliteration: ēn
Pronunciation: ane
Description: imperfect of εἰμί; I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were):--+ agree, be, X have (+ charge of), hold, use, was(-t), were. - Strong's Number: G3756
There are 1328 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: οὐ
Transliteration: ou
Pronunciation: ookh
Description: a primary word; the absolute negative (compare μή) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also οὐ μή, μῆκος. - Strong's Number: G1832
There are 30 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἔξεστι
Transliteration: éxesti
Pronunciation: ex-on'
Description: third person singular present indicative of a compound of ἐκ and εἰμί; so also neuter present participle of the same (with or without some form of εἰμί expressed); impersonally, it is right (through the figurative idea of being out in public):--be lawful, let, X may(-est). - Strong's Number: G846
There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: αὐτός
Transliteration: autós
Pronunciation: ow-tos'
Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ. - Strong's Number: G3761
There are 125 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: οὐδέ
Transliteration: oudé
Pronunciation: oo-deh'
Description: from οὐ and δέ; not however, i.e. neither, nor, not even:--neither (indeed), never, no (more, nor, not), nor (yet), (also, even, then) not (even, so much as), + nothing, so much as. - Strong's Number: G3326
There are 445 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: μετά
Transliteration: metá
Pronunciation: met-ah'
Description: a primary preposition (often used adverbially); properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession) with which it is joined; occupying an intermediate position between ἀπό or ἐκ and εἰς or πρός; less intimate than ἐν and less close than σύν):--after(-ward), X that he again, against, among, X and, + follow, hence, hereafter, in, of, (up-)on, + our, X and setting, since, (un-)to, + together, when, with (+ -out). Often used in composition, in substantially the same relations of participation or proximity, and transfer or sequence. - Strong's Number: G1508
There are 87 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: εἰ μή
Transliteration: ei mḗ
Pronunciation: i may
Description: from εἰ and μή; if not:--but, except (that), if not, more than, save (only) that, saving, till. - Strong's Number: G3441
There are 46 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: μόνος
Transliteration: mónos
Pronunciation: mon'-os
Description: probably from μένω; remaining, i.e. sole or single; by implication, mere:--alone, only, by themselves. - Strong's Number: G2409
There are 30 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἱερεύς
Transliteration: hiereús
Pronunciation: hee-er-yooce'
Description: from ἱερός; a priest (literally or figuratively):--(high) priest.