Matthew 12:4

KJV

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?

KJV (with Strong's)

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}?

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
Matthew 12:4 is part of Jesus' defense of His disciples' actions on the Sabbath, where they plucked grain to eat. Jesus references the Old Testament account of King David, who, in a time of dire necessity, entered the house of God and ate the consecrated shewbread, which was lawful only for priests. This citation serves to illustrate that human need and divine mercy can, in extraordinary circumstances, take precedence over rigid adherence to ceremonial law, thereby highlighting Jesus' authority as the Lord of the Sabbath and His emphasis on the spirit of the Law over its letter.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within a direct confrontation between Jesus and the Pharisees concerning the proper observance of the Sabbath, detailed in [Matthew 12:1-8](/matthew/12-1-8 "Matthew 12:1-8 - Jesus, Lord of the Sabbath"). The narrative opens with Jesus' disciples plucking heads of grain on the Sabbath, an act the Pharisees immediately condemn as unlawful work. In response, Jesus offers two Old Testament examples to defend His disciples: first, the actions of King David (Matthew 12:3-4), and second, the work of priests in the Temple (Matthew 12:5). He then asserts His own authority, declaring Himself "Lord of the Sabbath" (Matthew 12:8) and reiterating God's preference for "mercy, and not sacrifice" (Matthew 12:7). This immediate context establishes a pattern of Jesus challenging and reinterpreting the legalistic traditions of His day.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Sabbath was a cornerstone of Jewish life and identity, one of the Ten Commandments ([Exodus 20:8-11](/exodus/20-8-11 "Exodus 20:8-11 - Remember the Sabbath Day")). Over centuries, an elaborate system of oral traditions and rabbinic interpretations had developed, meticulously defining what constituted "work" and thus was forbidden on the Sabbath. The Pharisees were particularly zealous in upholding these traditions, often elevating them to the level of divine law. The "shewbread," or "bread of the presence" ([Leviticus 24:5-9](/leviticus/24-5-9 "Leviticus 24:5-9 - The Law of the Showbread")), was a highly sacred component of Tabernacle/Temple worship, symbolizing God's perpetual presence among the twelve tribes of Israel. Its consumption was strictly reserved for the priests, making David's act, as recorded in [1 Samuel 21:1-6](/1_samuel/21-1-6 "1 Samuel 21:1-6 - David at Nob"), a profound exception to a clear divine command, permissible only due to extreme necessity.
* **Key Themes:** This passage in Matthew contributes significantly to several overarching themes. Firstly, it underscores **Jesus' supreme authority over the Law and tradition**. He is not merely interpreting the Law but demonstrating His inherent right to define its true meaning and purpose, a recurring motif seen in His Sermon on the Mount ([Matthew 5:21-48](/matthew/5-21-48 "Matthew 5:21-48 - Jesus' Teaching on the Law")). Secondly, it highlights the theme of **mercy and human need overriding rigid ritualism**. Jesus consistently prioritizes compassion and the well-being of individuals over strict adherence to external religious rules, famously stating that God desires "mercy, and not sacrifice" in [Matthew 9:13](/matthew/9-13 "Matthew 9:13 - Mercy, Not Sacrifice"). Thirdly, it reveals the **true purpose of the Sabbath**, which was instituted for the benefit of humanity, not as a burdensome restriction, a concept also articulated in [Mark 2:27](/mark/2-27 "Mark 2:27 - The Sabbath Was Made for Man").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **entered into (Greek, _eisérchomai'_):** This verb (G1525) signifies a physical movement "into" (G1519) a place, specifically the "house of God" (G3624, _oîkos_ and G2316, _theós_), referring to the Tabernacle at Nob. The act of entering this sacred space, combined with the subsequent eating, was a significant detail in Jesus' argument, as it involved a direct interaction with holy objects.
* **lawful (Greek, _éxesti'_):** (G1832) This term denotes what is permissible or right according to law or custom. The phrase "was not lawful" (G3756, _ou_ combined with G2258, _ēn_, and G1832, _éxesti_) explicitly states the legal prohibition against anyone other than priests eating the shewbread. Jesus highlights this clear transgression of the Mosaic Law to establish a precedent for actions taken under duress.
* **only (Greek, _mónos'_):** (G3441) This adverb emphasizes exclusivity, underscoring that the consumption of the shewbread was strictly reserved "only" for the "priests" (G2409, _hiereús_). By stressing this singular privilege, Jesus draws attention to the extraordinary nature of David's act and, by extension, the exceptional circumstances that justify His disciples' actions on the Sabbath.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"How he entered into the house of God":** This rhetorical question refers to King David's desperate flight from King Saul, as recounted in [1 Samuel 21:1-6](/1_samuel/21-1-6 "1 Samuel 21:1-6 - David at Nob"). David, in his extreme hunger and need, sought refuge and provision at the Tabernacle, which is here called the "house of God."
* **"and did eat the shewbread":** David and his men consumed the "shewbread" (G740, _ártos_ and G4286, _próthesis_), also known as the "bread of the Presence." This was a set of twelve consecrated loaves, symbolizing the twelve tribes of Israel, placed before God in the Tabernacle as a holy offering.
* **"which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him":** This clause explicitly states the violation of Mosaic Law. According to [Leviticus 24:5-9](/leviticus/24-5-9 "Leviticus 24:5-9 - The Law of the Showbread"), the shewbread was holy and its consumption was strictly limited to the priests. David and his companions, being laymen, were legally forbidden from eating it.
* **"but only for the priests?":** This final phrase reiterates the exclusive nature of the shewbread's consumption, emphasizing that it was reserved solely for the consecrated priests as part of their sacred duties. Jesus uses this clear example of a sacred law being overridden by dire necessity to justify His disciples' actions, implying that their hunger, and His authority, superseded the Pharisees' strict Sabbath interpretations.

#### Literary Devices
The passage powerfully employs **Rhetorical Question** ("How he entered...?") to draw the audience into the narrative and highlight the seemingly transgressive nature of David's act, which then sets the stage for Jesus' profound justification. Central to Jesus' argument is the use of **Analogy** or **Typology**, where David's actions serve as a precedent. David, though not a priest, was permitted to eat the sacred shewbread due to extreme necessity (hunger), establishing a principle that extraordinary circumstances can override ceremonial law. Jesus then applies this principle directly to His disciples' actions on the Sabbath, implying that His authority and their genuine hunger provide a similar justification. Furthermore, the passage relies on **Intertextuality**, referencing a well-known Old Testament narrative ([1 Samuel 21](/1_samuel/21 "1 Samuel 21 - David Flees Saul")) to bolster Jesus' argument, demonstrating His mastery of Scripture and His authoritative interpretation of its deeper meaning.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse is a crucial point in Jesus' ongoing challenge to the religious establishment, showcasing His radical reinterpretation of God's Law. By citing David's consumption of the shewbread, Jesus establishes a powerful precedent where genuine human need and divine mercy take precedence over rigid ceremonial regulations. This aligns with a broader biblical truth that God values the spirit of the law—particularly love, compassion, and justice—above mere external, ritualistic observance. It foreshadows the New Covenant, where the letter of the law gives way to the life-giving Spirit, emphasizing a relationship with God rooted in grace and the heart's transformation rather than strict adherence to outward rituals.

* [1 Samuel 21:1-6](/1_samuel/21-1-6 "David Eats the Consecrated Bread")
* [Mark 2:23-28](/mark/2-23-28 "Jesus, Lord of the Sabbath")
* [Hosea 6:6](/hosea/6-6 "God Desires Mercy, Not Sacrifice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 12:4 challenges believers to look beyond a superficial, legalistic understanding of God's commands and to grasp their deeper, life-giving intent. It encourages us to prioritize compassion, mercy, and genuine human welfare, especially when these values appear to conflict with rigid adherence to rules or traditions. The passage serves as a profound reminder that God's laws are ultimately designed for our good and flourishing, not for our oppression or to burden us with impossible demands. It calls us to discern the spirit of the law, which is love, and to apply it with wisdom, grace, and discernment in our daily lives, reflecting the very heart of God who values people over mere ritualistic observance. This means being willing to question human traditions that might hinder genuine care or obscure God's compassionate nature, always seeking to honor God by truly loving our neighbor.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be prioritizing rigid adherence to rules or traditions over genuine compassion and human need?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper understanding of the "spirit" of God's commands, moving beyond a mere "letter of the law" approach?**
* **What specific actions can I take this week to demonstrate mercy and compassion in situations where it might challenge conventional expectations?**

### FAQ
**What was the "shewbread" and why was it so significant?**

Answer: The "shewbread," also known as the "bread of the Presence" (Hebrew: _lechem panim_), consisted of twelve loaves of unleavened bread that were perpetually set on a special table in the Tabernacle (and later the Temple) before the Lord. It symbolized the twelve tribes of Israel in God's perpetual presence and was replaced every Sabbath. Its significance lay in its extreme holiness; according to the Mosaic Law, specifically [Leviticus 24:5-9](/leviticus/24-5-9 "Leviticus 24:5-9 - The Law of the Showbread"), only the consecrated priests were permitted to eat it once it was removed and replaced. David's act of eating it, therefore, was a clear and profound violation of a sacred, divinely ordained law, permissible only due to extreme and life-threatening necessity.

**Why did Jesus cite David's actions regarding the shewbread?**

Answer: Jesus cited David's actions to defend His disciples' plucking grain on the Sabbath, which the Pharisees condemned as unlawful work. The incident in [1 Samuel 21:1-6](/1_samuel/21-1-6 "1 Samuel 21:1-6 - David at Nob") provided a powerful Old Testament precedent: King David, a revered figure and God's anointed, was justified in breaking a strict ceremonial law (eating the shewbread, reserved for priests) due to dire necessity (hunger). Jesus used this to argue that human need and divine mercy can, in exceptional circumstances, take precedence over ritualistic adherence to the Law. He was essentially demonstrating that if David was justified, then His disciples, who were with the "Lord of the Sabbath" ([Matthew 12:8](/matthew/12-8 "Matthew 12:8 - Lord of the Sabbath")), were also justified. This argument highlighted Jesus' authority to interpret the Law and emphasized God's desire for mercy over sacrifice ([Matthew 9:13](/matthew/9-13 "Matthew 9:13 - Mercy, Not Sacrifice")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 12:4, through Jesus' defense of His disciples, profoundly points to Christ as the ultimate fulfillment of God's Law and the very embodiment of divine mercy. Just as David, the anointed king, was permitted to transgress a ceremonial law due to necessity, so Jesus, the greater Son of David and true King, demonstrates His sovereign authority over the Sabbath and all legalistic interpretations. He is the one who brings the true "bread of life" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")), offering spiritual nourishment that transcends mere physical sustenance or ritualistic observance. His actions reveal that the purpose of the Law was always to point to Him and His redemptive work, which prioritizes the well-being and salvation of humanity. Christ, as the "Lord of the Sabbath" ([Matthew 12:8](/matthew/12-8 "Matthew 12:8 - Lord of the Sabbath")), liberates His followers from burdensome legalism, inviting them into a relationship of grace where mercy triumphs over judgment, echoing the New Covenant promise that the law is written on hearts, not merely on stone tablets ([Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant")). He is the true Temple, the very "house of God" ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19-21 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus Predicts His Resurrection")), in whom humanity finds true access to God's presence and provision, making the old shadows of shewbread and Sabbath rituals obsolete in the light of His perfect sacrifice and enduring love.

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

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.

Exodus 25:30

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

Leviticus 8:31

¶ 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

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

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.