Luke 6:4

How he went into the house of God, and did take and eat the shewbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat but for the priests alone?

How {G5613} he went {G1525} into {G1519} the house {G3624} of God {G2316}, and {G2532} did take {G2983} and {G2532} eat {G5315} the shewbread {G740}{G4286}, and {G2532} gave {G1325} also {G2532} to them that were with {G3326} him {G846}; which {G3739} it is {G1832} not {G3756} lawful {G1832} to eat {G5315} but for {G1508} the priests {G2409} alone {G3441}?

He entered the House of God and took and ate the Bread of the Presence" -- which no one is permitted to eat but the cohanim.

He entered the house of God, took the consecrated bread and gave it to his companions, and ate what is lawful only for the priests to eat.”

how he entered into the house of God, and took and ate the showbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat save for the priests alone?

In Luke 6:4, Jesus responds to the Pharisees' accusation that His disciples had broken the Sabbath by plucking grain (Luke 6:1-2). He defends their actions by citing an Old Testament event involving King David. This verse specifically quotes Jesus' rhetorical question to the Pharisees, recalling how David and his men ate the shewbread, which was reserved only for priests.

Historical and Cultural Context

The incident Jesus references is found in 1 Samuel 21:1-6. David, fleeing from King Saul and in dire need, sought food from Ahimelech the priest. The only bread available was the shewbread (also known as the "bread of the Presence" or "face bread"), which was consecrated bread placed weekly in the Tabernacle before the Lord. According to Mosaic Law, specifically Leviticus 24:5-9, only the priests were permitted to eat this bread after it was replaced with fresh loaves. By recalling this event, Jesus challenges the Pharisees' rigid interpretation of the law, suggesting that human necessity and mercy can, in certain circumstances, take precedence over ceremonial regulations.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Mercy Over Ritual: Jesus emphasizes that God values mercy and compassion more than strict adherence to ritualistic law. David's action, though technically a breach of ceremonial law, was justified by extreme hunger and necessity. This foreshadows Jesus' later statement, "I desire mercy, and not sacrifice" (Matthew 12:7, quoting Hosea 6:6).
  • Davidic Precedent and Authority: By comparing His disciples' actions to David's, Jesus not only justifies their conduct but also implicitly draws a parallel between His own authority and David's. David was God's anointed king, and his actions set a precedent. Jesus, as the true King and Messiah, demonstrates His authority over the Sabbath and the interpretation of the law.
  • Lord of the Sabbath: This narrative sets the stage for Jesus' declaration in the very next verse (Luke 6:5) that "the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath day." This highlights Jesus' divine authority to redefine and fulfill the purpose of the Sabbath, shifting focus from rigid rules to its original intent of rest and blessing.

Linguistic Insights

The term "shewbread" in the King James Version is a direct translation of the Hebrew lechem panim, meaning "bread of the face" or "bread of the presence," referring to its placement directly before God's presence in the Tabernacle/Temple. The Greek word used for "lawful" (exestin) implies what is permissible or proper according to divine or human law. Jesus' argument questions what truly constitutes "lawful" conduct when considering divine intent and human need.

Practical Application

This passage encourages believers to understand the spirit behind God's laws, not just the letter. While God's commands are important, they are ultimately for human flourishing and to reveal His character, which is full of mercy and compassion. It reminds us that genuine faith prioritizes love for God and neighbor over rigid, unbending adherence to rules, especially when human well-being is at stake. It also reinforces Jesus' ultimate authority as the interpreter and fulfiller of God's law.

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.

  • 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.
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