Matthew 12:4

"But he said to them, “Haven’t you read what David did when he was hungry, and those who were with him:"

Key Reflection

Jesus uses this reference to highlight that even kings (like David) and their followers are not above divine law. By asking his audience about David's actions, Jesus invites them to reconsider the Sabbath laws they are debating, suggesting that acts of necessity should take precedence over strict legalism.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Verses 4,5. House of God. That was, the tabernacle; the temple not being then built. In the law. In the law of Moses. Profane the sabbath. He referred them to the conduct of the priests also. On the sabbath days they were engaged, as well as on other days, in killing beasts for sacrifice, Nu 28:9,10. Two lambs were killed on the sabbath, in addition to the daily sacrifice.

Related Verses

More from Matthew 12

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51

Go deeper with Bible.talk - your AI Bible study companion