how he entered the house of God, in the time of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those who were with him?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
What's easy to miss here is that Jesus isn't just recounting a story about David; he's highlighting how even the sacred "bread of the Presence," reserved only for priests, was permissibly shared in a time of desperate need. This subtle point shows that divine mercy and human necessity can sometimes override strict ritual observance, especially when guided by compassion.
how he entered the house of God, in the time of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those who were with him?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is responding to the Pharisees' accusation that his disciples are breaking the Sabbath by plucking grain. To defend them, Jesus recalls the time King David, fleeing from Saul, entered the sanctuary and ate the sacred "showbread" – food only priests were allowed to eat. He points out that David was not condemned for this act, implying that urgent need can override certain religious rules, especially when the Son of Man, who is Lord of the Sabbath, is present.
Why did Jesus bring up David eating the showbread when the Pharisees were upset about his disciples picking grain?
Jesus uses David's actions to show that the purpose of the Law, like the Sabbath, is for human well-being.
Human Need Over Ritual
When David and his men were hungry, they ate the 'showbread' (or 'bread of the Presence'). This bread was sacred, meant only for priests. But David, a fugitive, took it to satisfy his famished men.
The Spirit of the Law
Jesus argues that the Sabbath was made for people, not the other way around. This means its observance shouldn't harm or neglect genuine human needs. David's act, though technically against the rules, honored the deeper purpose of God's commands – to care for His people.
Mark mentions Abiathar as high priest, but other accounts name Ahimelech. What's going on?
This is a common question, but the solution points to the fluidity of titles and prominent figures in biblical history.
A Family Affair
The historical record (1 Samuel 21:1) actually names Ahimelech as the priest when David took the showbread. Ahimelech was Abiathar's father. Abiathar later became a very prominent high priest, serving David for a long time.
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Common Practice, Clearer Picture
Biblical writers sometimes referred to events by the name of a more well-known or future leader associated with that time. Mark, writing for a broader audience, used 'Abiathar' because he was the more famous high priest who eventually served David. It was 'in the days of Abiathar' in the sense that he was part of that priestly lineage and would become the leading figure. Think of it like saying 'in the days of President Lincoln' to refer to an event that happened while his father was alive but before he was famous – people would still understand the era.
Understand the original words
oikos theou · Greek Noun
A designated place or structure where God dwells among His people or where His presence is uniquely manifested, serving as a center for worship and sacrifice. Under the Old Covenant, it refers to the Tabernacle or Temple.
archiereus · Greek Noun
The highest religious official in Israel, responsible for performing the most holy sacrifices, particularly on the Day of Atonement, and acting as a mediator between God and the people. He held unique authority regarding the holy things of the sanctuary.
artoi tēs protheseōs · Greek Noun phrase
Also called the 'showbread' or 'bread of the Face,' these twelve loaves were placed on the golden table in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle as a memorial offering before God, symbolizing the communion between God and the twelve tribes of Israel. Only the priests were authorized to eat this bread after it was replaced each Sabbath.
exestin · Greek Adjective/Verb (impersonal)
Refers to the state of being in accordance with established law, whether civil, moral, or divine. In this context, it pertains to the ritual regulations set forth in the Mosaic Law concerning who could partake of the holy bread.
The reference to 'Abiathar the high priest' highlights how a future, prominent figure in David's life is mentioned to underscore the event's significance, even though his father Ahimelech was the high priest at the exact moment David ate the showbread.
c. 1050 BC
Saul's Reign and Persecution
King Saul, increasingly paranoid and jealous of David's popularity, seeks to kill him. This leads to David fleeing and living as a fugitive.
c. 1050 BC
David Flees to Nob
Seeking refuge and provisions, David arrives at the sanctuary in Nob, where Ahimelech is the high priest. David asks for food for himself and his men.
c. 1050 BC— this verse
David Eats the Showbread
Ahimelech, having no ordinary bread, gives David the sacred showbread, which was reserved for priests. Abiathar, Ahimelech's son and future high priest, is present.
c. 1050 BC
Ahimelech and Priests Killed
Saul discovers Ahimelech's assistance to David and orders the massacre of Ahimelech and the priests at Nob. Abiathar escapes this slaughter.
c. 1040 BC
Abiathar Serves David
Abiathar flees to David, bringing the ephod (a priestly garment) with him. He becomes David's chief priest and serves him throughout his reign.
This is the primary Old Testament account that Jesus refers to, detailing David's hunger and his taking of the showbread from the priest Ahimelech, providing the direct historical context for Jesus' argument.
Matthew 12:3-4Matthew records the same event and Jesus' argument, emphasizing the example of David and the unlawful nature of eating the showbread, reinforcing the theme of mercy over strict ritual observance.
Luke 6:3-4Luke also recounts Jesus' defense regarding the Sabbath and the disciples plucking grain, referencing David's act of eating the showbread, which further establishes this as a significant teaching moment across the Gospels.
Exodus 29:33This passage from the Law explicitly states that only priests are permitted to eat the showbread, highlighting the rule that Jesus is addressing and showing the 'exception' David made due to necessity.
Hosea 6:6Jesus quotes this prophet to underscore his point that God desires mercy and a right relationship with Him over rigid adherence to sacrifices or rituals, which is the core of his defense in this passage.
pooleMark 2:26: "How 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?"
Ver. 26. See Poole on "Mark 2:23"
vincentMark 2:26: "How 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?"
The shewbread (τοὺς ἄρτους τῆς προθέσεως)Lit., the loaves of proposition, i.e., the loaves which were set forth before the Lord. The Jews called them the loaves of the face, i.e., of the presence of God. The bread was made of the finest wheaten flour that had been passed through eleven s…
What's easy to miss here is that Jesus isn't just recounting a story about David; he's highlighting how even the sacred "bread of the Presence," reserved only for priests, was permissibly shared in a time of desperate need. This subtle point shows that divine mercy and human necessity can sometimes override strict ritual observance, especially when guided by compassion.
Jesus is responding to the Pharisees' accusation that his disciples are breaking the Sabbath by plucking grain. To defend them, Jesus recalls the time King David, fleeing from Saul, entered the sanctuary and ate the sacred "showbread" – food only priests were allowed to eat. He points out that David was not condemned for this act, implying that urgent need can override certain religious rules, especially when the Son of Man, who is Lord of the Sabbath, is present.
Jesus is responding to the Pharisees' accusation that his disciples are breaking the Sabbath by plucking grain. To defend them, Jesus recalls the time King David, fleeing from Saul, entered the sanctuary and ate the sacred "showbread" – food only priests were allowed to eat. He points out that David was not condemned for this act, implying that urgent need can override certain religious rules, especially when the Son of Man, who is Lord of the Sabbath, is present.
"how he entered the house of God, in the time of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those who were with him?”" — What's easy to miss here is that Jesus isn't just recounting a story about David; he's highlighting how even the sacred "bread of the Presence," reserved only for priests, was permissibly shared in a…
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Last reviewed October 2026