Devine Scripture

Matthew 12:4

What does Matthew 12:4 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 12:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 12:4 means

Jesus references David eating the showbread—food reserved for priests—when he and his companions were hungry. He points out that David acted contrary to the letter of priestly law out of necessity. The point is not to condone lawlessness but to show that human need can override ceremonial restrictions. Jesus uses this example to claim precedence of mercy and life over ritual regulation, teaching that God’s concern is for people rather than strict, lifeless formalism.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

How he went into the house of God and took for food the holy bread which it was not right for him or for those who were with him to take, but only for the priests?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

how he went into the house of God, and the loaves of the presentation did eat, which it is not lawful to him to eat, nor to those with him, except to the priests alone?

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the loaves of proposition, which it was not lawful for him to eat, nor for them that were with him, but for the priests only?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

How he entered into the house ofGod, and ate the shewbread, which it was not lawful for him to eat, nor for those with him, but for the priests only?

Context

This specific illustration deepens Jesus’ argument that Scripture allows exceptions when life and necessity are at stake. It challenges strict interpretations by showing revered leaders in Scripture acting for survival. The narrative is moving toward Jesus’ larger claim about Sabbath purpose and authority over the law.

v.3But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was hungry, and they that were with him;

v.4This passage

v.5Or have ye not read in the law, that on the sabbath day the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are guiltless?

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Leviticus 8:31

    And Moses said unto Aaron and to his sons, Boil the flesh at the door of the tent of meeting: and there eat it and the bread that is in the basket of consecration, as I commanded, saying, Aaron and his sons shall eat it.

  • 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.

  • Exodus 29:32

    And Aaron and his sons shall eat the flesh of the ram, and the bread that is in the basket, at the door of the tent of meeting.

  • Exodus 25:30

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

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