Mark 2:26
What does Mark 2:26 mean?
A plain-English look at Mark 2:26 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Mark 2:26 means
Jesus elaborated on the story of David, noting how he entered "the house of God" when Abiathar was high priest and ate the showbread, which was unlawful for anyone except the priests. This further emphasizes that an exception was made due to dire need, even concerning sacred items. By recalling this incident, Jesus demonstrates that the spirit of the law, particularly mercy, occasionally supersedes strict adherence to the letter of the law.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000How he entered into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest, and ate the showbread, which it is not lawful to eat save for the priests, and gave also to them that were with him?
KJV
King James Version · 1611How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the shewbread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to them which were with him?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901How he entered into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest, and ate the showbread, which it is not lawful to eat save for the priests, and gave also to them that were with him?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949How he went into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest, 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, (at `Abiathar the chief priest,') and the loaves of the presentation did eat, which it is not lawful to eat, except to the priests, and he gave also to those who were with him?'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752How he went into the house of God, under Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the loaves of proposition, which was not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave to them who were with him?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890how he entered into the house ofGod, in [the section of] Abiathar [the] high priest, and ate the shew-bread, which it is not lawful unless for the priests to eat, and gave even to those that were with him?
Context
This verse continues Jesus' example from verse 25, providing further details about David's actions concerning the showbread, reinforcing the point that human need could supersede ritual law. By mentioning Abiathar, Jesus grounds the event historically, adding weight to His argument. This continued appeal to scriptural precedent prepares for His ultimate declaration regarding the Sabbath's true purpose and His own authority over it.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Samuel 22:20
And one of the sons of Ahimelech, the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped, and fled after David.
- 2 Samuel 20:25
and Sheva was scribe; and Zadok and Abiathar were priests;
- 1 Kings 2:26
And unto Abiathar the priest said the king, Get thee to Anathoth, unto thine own fields; for thou art worthy of death: but I will not at this time put thee to death, because thou barest the ark of the Lord Jehovah before David my father, and because thou wast afflicted in all wherein my father was afflicted.
- 1 Chronicles 24:6
And Shemaiah the son of Nethanel the scribe, who was of the Levites, wrote them in the presence of the king, and the princes, and Zadok the priest, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and the heads of the fathers’ houses of the priests and of the Levites; one fathers’ house being taken for Eleazar, and one taken for Ithamar.
- 1 Samuel 21:1
Then came David to Nob to Ahimelech the priest: and Ahimelech came to meet David trembling, and said unto him, Why art thou alone, and no man with thee?
- 1 Kings 1:7
And he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest: and they following Adonijah helped him.
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