Luke 6:4
What does Luke 6:4 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 6:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 6:4 means
Jesus recounted how David, when hungry, entered the house of God and ate the showbread, which was lawfully reserved only for priests. David also shared it with his companions. This act, while technically violating ritual law, was justified by necessity. Jesus used this example to demonstrate that God's law provides for human need and mercy, even overriding strict ceremonial regulations when circumstances demand it. This shows that the spirit of the law, which includes compassion, is more important than rigid adherence to its letter.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000how 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?
KJV
King James Version · 1611How 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?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901how 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?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949How he went into the house of God and took for food the holy bread, which only the priests may take, and gave it to those who were with him?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862how he went into the house of God, and the loaves of the presentation did take, and did eat, and gave also to those with him, which it is not lawful to eat, except only to the priests?'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752How he went into the house of God and took and ate the bread of proposition and gave to them that were with him, which is not lawful to eat but only for the priests?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890how he entered into the house ofGod and took the shewbread and ate, and gave to those also who were with him, which it is not lawful that [any] eat, unless the priests alone?
Context
This verse gives the specific details of the Old Testament example Jesus uses to challenge the Pharisees' legalism. It directly illustrates how a revered figure like David prioritized need over a strict interpretation of religious law. This powerful illustration paves the way for Jesus' subsequent declaration of His own authority, showing a pattern of divine allowance for human necessity.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Leviticus 24:5
And thou shalt take fine flour, and bake twelve cakes thereof: two tenth parts of an ephah shall be in one cake.
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