Luke 6:3

KJV

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;

KJV (with Strong's)

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};

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Luke 6:3, Jesus directly challenges the legalistic accusations of the Pharisees regarding His disciples' actions on the Sabbath. He does so by posing a rhetorical question that appeals to a well-known Old Testament account of King David, thereby exposing the Pharisees' selective understanding and misapplication of their own sacred texts. This verse serves as a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry, where He begins to redefine the true intent and purpose of the Sabbath, shifting the focus from rigid external observance to the principles of human need and divine compassion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within a broader narrative in Luke's Gospel (Luke 5:33-6:11) where Jesus confronts various aspects of traditional Jewish religious practice, particularly regarding the Sabbath. Immediately preceding this verse, Luke 6:1-2 describes Jesus' disciples plucking heads of grain and eating them as they walked through a field on the Sabbath, an action the Pharisees condemned as unlawful work. Jesus' response in Luke 6:3-5 is a direct counter-argument, establishing His authority to interpret and declare the true meaning of the Sabbath, culminating in His declaration as "Lord of the Sabbath." This incident is also paralleled in [Matthew 12:1-8](/matthew/12-1-8 "Matthew 12:1-8 - Lord of the Sabbath") and [Mark 2:23-28](/mark/2-23-28 "Mark 2:23-28 - The Sabbath Was Made for Man"), underscoring its theological significance across the Synoptic Gospels.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Pharisees were a prominent Jewish religious sect known for their meticulous adherence to the Mosaic Law and their extensive body of oral traditions, which they considered binding interpretations of the written law. According to these traditions, plucking grain was considered "harvesting" and rubbing it in one's hands was "threshing" – both forbidden forms of work on the Sabbath (Exodus 20:8-11; Deuteronomy 5:12-15). The showbread, referenced in Jesus' example, was a set of twelve loaves of unleavened bread placed in the Tabernacle/Temple each Sabbath, considered holy and reserved for the priests to eat ([Leviticus 24:5-9](/leviticus/24-5-9 "Leviticus 24:5-9 - The Law of the Showbread")). Jesus' reference to David's actions in [1 Samuel 21:1-6](/1_samuel/21-1-6 "1 Samuel 21:1-6 - David and the Showbread") was a powerful appeal to a well-known and revered figure in Jewish history, whose actions, though technically unlawful, were understood to be justified by extreme necessity.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme is **Jesus' Authority Over the Sabbath**. He challenges the Pharisees' rigid, legalistic interpretation, asserting that the Sabbath was intended for human well-being and mercy, not as an oppressive burden. This highlights the broader theme of the **Spirit vs. Letter of the Law**, where Jesus consistently prioritizes compassion and human need over strict ceremonial observance. By referencing David, Jesus also employs the theme of **Biblical Precedent and Interpretation**, demonstrating His profound understanding of the Old Testament and His superior authority to interpret its true intent. This incident also foreshadows Jesus' role as the **Fulfiller of the Law**, bringing its true meaning to light and inaugurating a new covenant where grace and truth prevail over mere external rules.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Jesus (Greek, _Iēsoûs'_):** The name of our Lord, signifying "Yahweh saves." In this context, it emphasizes His divine authority as the one who speaks with ultimate truth and wisdom, challenging the established religious norms.
* **read (Greek, _anaginṓskō'_):** Meaning "to know again" or "to read." Jesus' use of this word in a rhetorical question ("Have ye not read?") implies that the Pharisees, as religious scholars, should have been intimately familiar with the scriptures, yet they failed to grasp the deeper implications of what they had read.
* **David (Greek, _Dabíd'_):** Refers to the renowned Israelite king. By invoking David, a figure revered by the Pharisees, Jesus draws a powerful parallel between David's divinely sanctioned actions in a time of necessity and His disciples' current situation, thereby legitimizing their actions.
* **was an hungred (Greek, _peináō'_):** To "famish" or "crave." This word highlights the dire physical need that justified David's actions and, by extension, the disciples' actions. It underscores the principle that human necessity can, in certain circumstances, take precedence over ceremonial law.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Jesus answering them said":** This phrase establishes Jesus' active and authoritative response to the Pharisees' accusation. He does not shy away from their challenge but directly confronts their flawed understanding.
* **"Have ye not read so much as this":** This is a powerful rhetorical question designed to expose the Pharisees' ignorance or willful blindness. It implies that the story of David was so fundamental and well-known within their sacred texts that their failure to apply its principle to the current situation was inexcusable.
* **"what David did, when himself was an hungred, and they which were with him":** Jesus directly references the account in [1 Samuel 21:1-6](/1_samuel/21-1-6 "1 Samuel 21:1-6 - David Eats the Showbread"). David, a man after God's own heart, and his men ate the consecrated showbread, which was unlawful for anyone but priests, due to their extreme hunger. This historical precedent serves as a divine justification for actions taken out of necessity, even if they technically violate ceremonial law.

#### Literary Devices
Jesus employs several potent literary devices in this verse. The most prominent is a **Rhetorical Question** ("Have ye not read so much as this?"), which is not intended to elicit an answer but to make a forceful point, highlighting the Pharisees' intellectual and spiritual deficiency. There is also a strong element of **Allusion** to the Old Testament narrative of David, which functions as a **Biblical Precedent**. By drawing a direct parallel between David's actions and His disciples', Jesus implicitly argues that if David, a revered king, was justified in breaking ceremonial law due to hunger, then His disciples, under the "Lord of the Sabbath," are equally justified. Furthermore, there is a subtle **Irony** at play: the very religious experts who prided themselves on their mastery of the Law are shown to be lacking in true understanding and application of its spirit.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 6:3 is a profound theological statement on the nature of God's law and Jesus' authority. It reveals that God's commands are not meant to be rigid, burdensome rules that neglect human need, but rather principles designed for human flourishing, rooted in love and compassion. Jesus' appeal to David's actions demonstrates that mercy and necessity can, in certain circumstances, supersede ceremonial law. This challenges the legalistic mindset that elevates external observance above the spirit of the law, a spirit that Jesus consistently embodies and teaches. Ultimately, this passage points to Jesus as the authoritative interpreter and fulfiller of the Law, revealing God's desire for mercy over sacrifice.

* [1 Samuel 21:1-6](/1_samuel/21-1-6 "David and His Men Eat the Showbread")
* [Hosea 6:6](/hosea/6-6 "God Desires Mercy, Not Sacrifice")
* [Matthew 12:8](/matthew/12-8 "Jesus, Lord of the Sabbath")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This passage serves as a powerful reminder for believers to examine the motivations behind their religious practices and their interpretations of God's commands. Are we, like the Pharisees, prone to prioritizing rigid rules and traditions over the genuine needs of people and the overarching principles of love, mercy, and compassion? Jesus' example calls us to a faith that understands the heart of God, which consistently values human well-being and acts of kindness. It challenges us to move beyond a superficial, legalistic adherence to the letter of the law and instead seek to live out its spirit, which is always rooted in God's character of grace and truth. This means cultivating a discerning heart that can distinguish between divine principles and human traditions, always leaning towards compassion and the greater good, just as Jesus did.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life or faith community might I be prioritizing rigid rules or traditions over genuine human need and compassion?**
* **How does Jesus' interpretation of the Sabbath challenge my own understanding of what it means to truly honor God and live out His commands?**
* **Am I quick to judge others based on external observances, or do I seek to understand the underlying circumstances and motivations?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus reference David's actions in this context?**

Answer: Jesus referenced David's actions (from [1 Samuel 21:1-6](/1_samuel/21-1-6 "1 Samuel 21:1-6 - David and the Showbread")) to provide a well-known and respected biblical precedent that justified actions taken out of necessity, even if they technically violated ceremonial law. David, a revered king and a man after God's own heart, and his men ate the consecrated showbread, which was reserved only for priests, because they were starving. By drawing this parallel, Jesus demonstrated that human need and mercy could, in certain circumstances, take precedence over strict ritualistic adherence. It also subtly elevated Jesus' own authority, implying that if David, a king, was justified in such an act, how much more were His disciples justified under the authority of the "Lord of the Sabbath" ([Luke 6:5](/luke/6-5 "Luke 6:5 - Jesus, Lord of the Sabbath")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jesus' confrontation with the Pharisees in Luke 6:3 is far more than a simple debate over Sabbath regulations; it is a profound revelation of His identity as the ultimate authority and the fulfillment of God's law. By appealing to the story of David, Jesus implicitly positions Himself as greater than David, the true King and the one who perfectly embodies God's will. He demonstrates that the Sabbath, like all of God's commands, was given for humanity's benefit, not as an oppressive burden. As the [Lord of the Sabbath](/luke/6-5 "Luke 6:5 - Jesus, Lord of the Sabbath"), Jesus has the authority to interpret and apply the law according to its true, compassionate intent. His ministry consistently prioritized mercy over sacrifice, echoing the heart of God found in [Hosea 6:6](/hosea/6-6 "Hosea 6:6 - God Desires Mercy, Not Sacrifice"). Ultimately, Jesus is the one who brings true rest and spiritual nourishment, satisfying the deep hunger of the human soul. He is the "bread of life" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")) who offers a rest that transcends mere external observance, inviting all who are weary and burdened to find true rest in Him ([Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28-30 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Come to Me for Rest")). In Him, the spirit of the law, characterized by love, grace, and compassion, is perfectly fulfilled.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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?