Matthew 12:3

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} he said {G2036} unto them {G846}, Have ye {G314} not {G3756} read {G314} what {G5101} David {G1138} did {G4160}, when {G3753} he {G846} was an hungred {G3983}, and {G2532} they {G3326} that were with him {G846};

Complete Jewish Bible

But he said to them, "Haven't you ever read what David did when he and those with him were hungry?

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Matthew 12:3, Jesus responds to the Pharisees' accusation that His disciples violated the Sabbath by plucking grain. He challenges their rigid legalism by referencing a pivotal Old Testament event: King David and his men eating the consecrated showbread out of necessity. This defense highlights Jesus's authoritative interpretation of the Law, emphasizing mercy and human need over strict ceremonial adherence, and foreshadows His declaration as Lord of the Sabbath.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is part of a series of Sabbath controversies in Matthew's Gospel, beginning in [Matthew 12:1-2](/matthew/12-1-2 "Matthew 12:1-2 - Disciples Pluck Grain on the Sabbath"). The Pharisees accuse Jesus's disciples of unlawful activity (harvesting and threshing, by their interpretation) on the Sabbath. Jesus's response in [Matthew 12:3-8](/matthew/12-3-8 "Matthew 12:3-8 - Jesus's Defense and Lordship of the Sabbath") is a multi-faceted argument. He first appeals to the precedent of David, then to the actions of priests in the Temple, and finally asserts His own authority as "Lord even of the Sabbath day" ([Matthew 12:8](/matthew/12-8 "Matthew 12:8 - Jesus, Lord of the Sabbath")). This passage serves to highlight the clash between Jesus's compassionate, spirit-of-the-law approach and the Pharisees' rigid, letter-of-the-law legalism, setting the stage for further demonstrations of Jesus's messianic authority.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Sabbath was a foundational commandment for Israel, signifying God's rest after creation and Israel's deliverance from Egyptian bondage ([Exodus 20:8-11](/exodus/20-8-11 "Exodus 20:8-11 - The Fourth Commandment")). Over centuries, particularly during the Second Temple period, Jewish religious leaders, especially the Pharisees, developed extensive oral traditions (the *Halakha*) to interpret and apply the Torah's commands. These traditions often created a "fence around the Torah," intending to prevent accidental transgression but sometimes resulting in burdensome and overly strict regulations. Plucking grain was considered a form of harvesting, and rubbing it in one's hands a form of threshing, both forbidden labors on the Sabbath according to Pharisaic interpretation. The incident involving David and the showbread, recorded in [1 Samuel 21:1-6](/1_samuel/21-1-6 "1 Samuel 21:1-6 - David and the Holy Bread"), was a well-known historical precedent where necessity superseded ritual law.
* **Key Themes:** The central themes in this passage revolve around the **true meaning of the Law** and **Jesus's supreme authority**. Jesus challenges the Pharisees' legalistic interpretation, arguing that the spirit of the law—rooted in mercy and compassion—supersedes rigid adherence to human-made traditions. He introduces the principle that **human need and divine mercy** can, in extraordinary circumstances, take precedence over ceremonial regulations, echoing the prophetic call for "mercy, not sacrifice" found in [Hosea 6:6](/hosea/6-6 "Hosea 6:6 - Mercy, Not Sacrifice"), which Jesus directly quotes in [Matthew 12:7](/matthew/12-7 "Matthew 12:7 - Jesus Quotes Hosea"). Furthermore, this exchange powerfully establishes Jesus's **messianic authority** as one who is greater than the Temple and, ultimately, the "Lord of the Sabbath" ([Matthew 12:8](/matthew/12-8 "Matthew 12:8 - Jesus, Lord of the Sabbath")), revealing His divine prerogative to interpret and fulfill God's commands.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **But (Greek, _dé'_):** This particle introduces a contrast or transition. Here, it marks Jesus's direct and authoritative counter-argument to the Pharisees' accusation, shifting the narrative from their legalistic challenge to His profound theological response.
* **read (Greek, _anaginṓskō'_):** Meaning "to know again" or "to read," this word implies that the Pharisees, as religious scholars, should have been familiar with the Old Testament scriptures and understood their implications. Jesus's rhetorical question, "Have ye not read," challenges their perceived expertise and highlights their failure to grasp the spirit of the Law despite their knowledge of its letter.
* **David (Greek, _Dabíd'_):** Referring to the revered Israelite king, David's inclusion is highly significant. David was a figure of immense authority and piety, a "man after God's own heart" ([Acts 13:22](/acts/13-22 "Acts 13:22 - David, a Man After God's Own Heart")). By citing David's actions, Jesus appeals to a precedent set by a celebrated figure, suggesting that if David, a king, was justified in breaking a ceremonial law due to necessity, then His own disciples, facing hunger, were likewise justified.
* **an hungred (Greek, _peináō'_):** This archaic English phrase means "to be hungry" or "to famish." Its use here emphasizes the dire physical necessity that drove David and his men to eat the showbread. Jesus uses this detail to underscore the principle that genuine human need can, under divine allowance, take precedence over strict ritualistic adherence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But he said unto them,"**: This phrase signals Jesus's direct and confrontational response to the Pharisees' accusation. It sets up an authoritative teaching moment where Jesus will challenge their legalistic interpretation of the Sabbath.
* **"Have ye not read"**: This is a rhetorical question, implying that the Pharisees, as custodians and interpreters of the Law, should have been well aware of the Old Testament incident Jesus is about to cite. It serves as a gentle rebuke, suggesting a deficiency in their understanding or application of scripture.
* **"what David did,"**: Jesus immediately draws a parallel to a highly respected figure in Israelite history, King David. By invoking David, Jesus appeals to a precedent that would be difficult for the Pharisees to dismiss, as David was considered a paragon of faith and kingship.
* **"when he was an hungred, and they that were with him;"**: This clause specifies the circumstances of David's action: he and his companions were in a state of urgent physical need (hunger). This detail is crucial, as it establishes the principle of necessity that Jesus uses to justify His disciples' actions, arguing that human welfare can, in certain situations, override ceremonial regulations.

#### Literary Devices
Jesus employs several potent literary devices in this verse. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, "Have ye not read," which is not asked for information but to challenge the Pharisees' presumed knowledge and understanding of their own scriptures. This question implies that the answer should be obvious to them, thereby highlighting their spiritual blindness. Following this, Jesus uses **Allusion** and **Argument from Precedent** by referencing the well-known account of David eating the showbread in [1 Samuel 21:1-6](/1_samuel/21-1-6 "1 Samuel 21:1-6 - David and the Showbread"). This serves as a powerful **Analogy**, drawing a parallel between David's divinely sanctioned act of necessity and His disciples' actions. By invoking David, a figure revered by the Pharisees, Jesus undermines their critique by demonstrating that even under the Old Covenant, the spirit of mercy and human need could legitimately supersede rigid ceremonial law.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 12:3 is a foundational passage for understanding Jesus's approach to the Law, revealing that God's primary concern is not rigid adherence to external rules but the cultivation of mercy, compassion, and true righteousness that flows from the heart. Jesus's appeal to David's actions demonstrates that even under the Old Covenant, there was a recognition that human necessity and divine compassion could, in extraordinary circumstances, take precedence over ceremonial stipulations. This principle challenges a legalistic mindset that elevates human traditions or the letter of the law above its life-giving spirit, emphasizing that the Sabbath, like all of God's commands, was given for the benefit and blessing of humanity, not as an oppressive burden.

* [Hosea 6:6](/hosea/6-6 "Hosea 6:6 - Mercy, Not Sacrifice")
* [Matthew 12:7](/matthew/12-7 "Matthew 12:7 - Jesus Quotes Hosea on Mercy")
* [Mark 2:27-28](/mark/2-27-28 "Mark 2:27-28 - The Sabbath Made for Man")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This passage profoundly challenges our own tendencies toward legalism and judgment. It calls us to examine whether our understanding and application of God's Word are rooted in genuine compassion and a desire to see human flourishing, or if we prioritize rigid adherence to rules and traditions, even at the expense of mercy. Just as Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for their spiritual blindness, we are invited to cultivate a deeper, more Spirit-led discernment that grasps the heart of God behind His commands. This means prioritizing love for God and neighbor, extending grace, and seeking to meet genuine needs, rather than imposing burdensome or unbiblical standards. It encourages us to ask: Are we truly living out the spirit of God's law, or merely observing its letter?

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be prioritizing rigid rules or traditions over genuine compassion and human need?**
* **How does Jesus's example here challenge my understanding of what it means to be truly "righteous" in God's eyes?**
* **Am I willing to re-examine my interpretations of scripture to ensure they align with the overarching themes of mercy and love that Jesus consistently emphasized?**

### FAQ

**What was the "showbread" that David ate?**

Answer: The showbread (or "bread of the Presence") was twelve loaves of unleavened bread, representing the twelve tribes of Israel, that were placed on a special table in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle (and later the Temple) each Sabbath. It was considered holy and was typically reserved for the priests to eat in a holy place, as prescribed in [Leviticus 24:5-9](/leviticus/24-5-9 "Leviticus 24:5-9 - The Law of the Showbread"). It was a symbolic offering to God, signifying His covenant presence among His people and His provision for them.

**Why was David allowed to eat the showbread, which was normally forbidden for non-priests?**

Answer: As recorded in [1 Samuel 21:1-6](/1_samuel/21-1-6 "1 Samuel 21:1-6 - David and Ahimelech"), David and his men were in dire straits, fleeing from King Saul and desperately hungry. The priest Ahimelech, after confirming that David and his men were ritually clean, permitted them to eat the showbread because of their extreme necessity. Jesus uses this incident to illustrate that in cases of urgent human need, the spirit of the law (mercy and preservation of life) can take precedence over the letter of the ceremonial law. It highlights a principle that God values human life and well-being above strict ritualistic observance.

**What was the main issue the Pharisees had with Jesus's disciples?**

Answer: The Pharisees accused Jesus's disciples of violating the Sabbath law by plucking and eating grain as they walked through a field ([Matthew 12:1-2](/matthew/12-1-2 "Matthew 12:1-2 - Disciples Pluck Grain")). According to their extensive oral traditions, plucking grain was considered a form of harvesting, and rubbing it in their hands was considered a form of threshing—both forbidden labors on the Sabbath. Their issue was not with the act of eating, as the Law allowed one to eat from a neighbor's field when hungry ([Deuteronomy 23:25](/deuteronomy/23-25 "Deuteronomy 23:25 - Eating Grapes or Grain from a Neighbor's Field")), but with the *method* of obtaining the food on the Sabbath day. They believed Jesus and His disciples were disrespecting the sanctity of the Sabbath by engaging in what they deemed "work."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 12:3, with its reference to David, powerfully points to Jesus as the ultimate fulfillment of God's purposes and the true Lord over all things, including the Sabbath. Just as David, an anointed king, was permitted to transcend ceremonial law due to necessity, Jesus, the greater Son of David and the true King, possesses inherent authority to interpret and fulfill the Law's deepest meaning. He is not merely a prophet or teacher, but the very embodiment of the Temple and its sacrificial system, as He declares Himself "something greater than the temple" in [Matthew 12:6](/matthew/12-6 "Matthew 12:6 - Something Greater Than the Temple"). Jesus is the ultimate High Priest, whose perfect sacrifice on the cross fulfills the need for all ritualistic offerings ([Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")). Furthermore, Jesus is the one who truly provides for our spiritual hunger, offering Himself as the "bread of life" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")), far surpassing the temporary sustenance of the showbread. His declaration as "Lord even of the sabbath day" in [Matthew 12:8](/matthew/12-8 "Matthew 12:8 - Jesus, Lord of the Sabbath") signifies that the Sabbath finds its true rest and purpose in Him, where humanity finds ultimate rest from its labors and sin.

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.

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;

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?

Mark 12:10

And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner:

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?