Matthew 12:4

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?

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}?

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.

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.

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?

Commentary

Context

In Matthew chapter 12, Jesus and His disciples are walking through grainfields on the Sabbath day. His disciples, being hungry, begin to pluck heads of grain and eat them, which the Pharisees immediately condemn as unlawful work on the Sabbath. In response, Jesus defends His disciples by citing an Old Testament example from the life of King David. Verse 4 specifically references this historical event.

Key Themes

  • Mercy Over Ritual: Jesus uses David's actions to illustrate that human need and mercy can, in extraordinary circumstances, take precedence over strict ceremonial law. This echoes Jesus' broader teaching that God desires "mercy, and not sacrifice" (Matthew 9:13).
  • David as a Precedent: David, a man after God's own heart and an anointed king, was permitted to violate a sacred law due to dire necessity (hunger). This sets a powerful precedent for Jesus, who is greater than David, and His disciples.
  • Jesus' Authority: By appealing to this historical event, Jesus implicitly asserts His authority over the Sabbath law and its interpretation. He is not merely breaking the law but fulfilling its true intent, highlighting that "the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day" (Mark 2:28).

Linguistic Insights

The term "shewbread" (also spelled "showbread") translates from the Hebrew `lechem panim`, meaning "bread of the presence" or "bread of the face." This refers to the twelve loaves of unleavened bread that were perpetually set before the Lord in the Tabernacle (and later the Temple) as a holy offering, representing the twelve tribes of Israel. Only priests were permitted to eat it after it was replaced each Sabbath (see Leviticus 24:5-9).

Related Scriptures

The account of David eating the shewbread is found in 1 Samuel 21:1-6. Jesus also references this incident in the parallel Gospel accounts found in Mark 2:25-26 and Luke 6:3-4, emphasizing its significance in His argument concerning the Sabbath.

Practical Application

This verse challenges us to understand the spirit of God's law rather than just its letter. While God's commands are important, this passage teaches that genuine human need and compassion can sometimes override rigid adherence to rules, especially when the rule's primary purpose (like the Sabbath for man's well-being) is being overlooked. It encourages believers to prioritize love, mercy, and the well-being of others, recognizing that God values these above mere ritualistic observance.

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Cross-References

  • Leviticus 24:5 (6 votes)

    And thou shalt take fine flour, and bake twelve cakes thereof: two tenth deals shall be in one cake.

  • Leviticus 24:9 (6 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

    And thou shalt set upon the table shewbread before me alway.

  • Leviticus 8:31 (3 votes)

    ¶ 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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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.