Luke 6:3

And Jesus answering them said, Have ye not read so much as this, what David did, when himself was an hungred, and they which were with him;

And {G2532} Jesus {G2424} answering {G611} them {G4314}{G846} said {G2036}, Have ye {G314} not {G3761} read {G314} so much as {G3761} this {G5124}, what {G3739} David {G1138} did {G4160}, when {G3698} himself {G846} was an hungred {G3983}, and {G2532} they which {G3588} were {G5607} with {G3326} him {G846};

Yeshua answered them, "Haven't you ever read what David did when he and his companions were hungry?

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

And Jesus answering them said, Have ye not read even this, what David did, when he was hungry, he, and they that were with him;

In Luke 6:3, Jesus confronts the religious leaders, the Pharisees, who had just accused His disciples of unlawfully plucking grain on the Sabbath day (Luke 6:1-2). His response is a pointed question, challenging their knowledge and interpretation of their own sacred texts.

Context of the Passage

This verse is part of a broader narrative where Jesus actively redefines the understanding and application of the Sabbath. The Pharisees, known for their meticulous adherence to the Mosaic Law and oral traditions, viewed the disciples' actions as a violation of the Sabbath rest. Jesus, however, counters their legalistic approach by appealing to a well-known Old Testament account, thereby demonstrating that divine law, especially regarding the Sabbath, was not intended to be a burden that overrides human need and compassion. This incident is also recorded in Matthew 12:1-8 and Mark 2:23-28, highlighting its significance in the Gospels.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Sabbath Interpretation: Jesus challenges the Pharisees' rigid, legalistic interpretation of the Sabbath. He implies that their focus on the letter of the law had caused them to miss its spirit—a day for rest, worship, and doing good, not for strict prohibitions that ignore human necessity.
  • Biblical Precedent and Authority: By referencing the story of David, Jesus uses scripture to justify His disciples' actions. This shows Jesus' profound knowledge of the Law and Prophets and His authority to interpret them, even over the established religious authorities. The incident with David, recorded in 1 Samuel 21:1-6, involved David and his men eating the consecrated showbread, which was normally reserved only for priests, due to their hunger.
  • Mercy Over Sacrifice: This passage implicitly echoes the principle found in Hosea 6:6, "For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice." Jesus consistently emphasized compassion and human welfare above strict ceremonial observance, a theme seen throughout His ministry.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Have ye not read so much as this" (οὐδὲ τοῦτο ἀνέγνωτε, oude touto anegnote) is a rhetorical question designed to shame the Pharisees. It implies that the story of David was so fundamental and well-known within their scriptures that their ignorance or misapplication of it was inexcusable. The Greek verb anaginosko (ἀναγινώσκω) means "to read," indicating that they should have been familiar with this particular biblical precedent.

Practical Application

Luke 6:3 reminds us that true faith involves understanding the heart of God's law—which is love, mercy, and compassion—rather than getting lost in rigid rules that neglect human need. It encourages believers to prioritize the spirit of the law over its letter, just as Jesus did. This verse also highlights Jesus' ultimate authority as the Lord of the Sabbath, capable of interpreting and fulfilling God's will perfectly.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 1 Samuel 21:3

    Now therefore what is under thine hand? give [me] five [loaves of] bread in mine hand, or what there is present.

  • 1 Samuel 21:6

    So the priest gave him hallowed [bread]: for there was no bread there but the shewbread, that was taken from before the LORD, to put hot bread in the day when it was taken away.

  • Mark 2:25

    And he said unto them, Have ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungred, he, and they that were with him?

  • Mark 2:26

    How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the shewbread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to them which were with him?

  • Matthew 12:3

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

  • Matthew 12:5

    Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless?

  • Matthew 21:16

    And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?

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