Matthew 12:4
how he entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him to eat nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests?
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Here's a key insight into Matthew 12:4: Jesus highlights that David, a revered figure, ate the "bread of the Presence" – a sacred food reserved only for priests. By pointing this out, Jesus shows that even strict religious laws have exceptions, especially when human need or a greater purpose is involved.
Jesus is defending his disciples' actions of plucking grain on the Sabbath by bringing up a precedent from King David's time. He reminds the Pharisees that David, when hungry and fleeing for his life, entered the Tabernacle (the "house of God" before the Temple was built) and ate the sacred showbread, which was only permitted for priests. This highlights that even strict religious law had exceptions for urgent human need.
The Pharisees were furious about Jesus' disciples plucking grain on the Sabbath. Jesus' response pointed them to a shocking example from Scripture that revealed God's true heart for His people.
Jesus uses the story of David and the showbread to highlight a crucial principle: God's law isn't meant to be a rigid, unfeeling system.
David's 'Transgression'
When David was fleeing for his life and hungry, he and his men ate the showbread. This bread was sacred – normally only priests could eat it in the Tabernacle (the 'house of God' at that time). Yet, the text doesn't condemn David.
The Principle Revealed
Jesus implies that in David's desperate situation, his need superseded the strict ritual law. The priests themselves, who performed many tasks on the Sabbath in the Temple (like sacrificing animals), were considered blameless because these actions were necessary for worship. God's intention for the Sabbath, and indeed for all His laws, was for human well-being and to facilitate worship, not to cause suffering or death through excessive legalism.
What exactly was this 'bread of the Presence' that David ate, and why was it so restricted? Its significance points to God's intimate fellowship with His people.
The 'bread of the Presence' (also called the 'showbread') was more than just food; it was a symbol of God's continuous fellowship with Israel.
A Symbol of God's Constant Fellowship
Twelve loaves were placed in two rows of six on a special table in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle. These loaves represented the twelve tribes of Israel, perpetually laid before God. They signified that God's people were always in His presence and that He was always present with them.
Restricted Use, Revealing Holiness
This bread was considered holy and was replaced weekly. The old loaves were then eaten only by the priests in the holy place. This restriction wasn't arbitrary; it underscored the sacredness of God's presence and the unique role of the priests as mediators. David's eating of it, therefore, was a clear violation of the law, which Jesus acknowledges, but one that was justified by extraordinary need.
Understand the original words
lechem panim · Hebrew Noun phrase
The loaves of bread placed on the golden table in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle/Temple, representing the presence of God among the twelve tribes of Israel. They served as a constant memorial and an offering of gratitude to the Lord.
kohen · Hebrew Noun
Men set apart by divine appointment to serve in the Tabernacle or Temple, responsible for offering sacrifices and maintaining the purity of worship. They acted as mediators between the holy God and the people of Israel.
c. 1050 BC
David flees Saul
The future King David, fleeing from the jealous King Saul, is in desperate need of provisions and seeks help from the High Priest at Nob.
c. 1050 BC— this verse
David eats the Showbread
David and his men eat the sacred showbread, which was reserved only for priests, as no other food is available.
c. 1000 BC - 970 BC
Solomon builds the First Temple
Solomon, David's son, builds the magnificent First Temple in Jerusalem to house the Ark of the Covenant and serve as the central place of worship.
586 BC
First Temple Destroyed
The Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar II conquer Jerusalem and destroy the First Temple, ending the Jerusalem priesthood's regular duties there.
c. 516 BC
Second Temple Completed
After the return from Babylonian exile, Jewish exiles complete the construction of the Second Temple, re-establishing temple worship and the priestly order.
This passage directly recounts the event that Jesus refers to, showing David and his men eating the showbread out of hunger, providing the historical precedent Jesus uses to justify his disciples' actions.
Exodus 29:33This verse from the Law explicitly states that only priests were permitted to eat the showbread, highlighting the stringent ritual law that Jesus shows was temporarily set aside for a greater need.
Leviticus 24:5-9These verses describe the ritual of the showbread, including its preparation and consumption by priests, underscoring the sacredness of the bread and the Pharisees' strict adherence to this rule.
Numbers 28:9-10This passage details the sacrifices and offerings made on the Sabbath, illustrating Jesus' point that priests performed specific duties in the temple on the Sabbath, thereby 'profaning' it by doing work, yet they were blameless.
Hosea 6:6Jesus quotes this prophet to emphasize that God desires mercy and love more than ritual sacrifice, which is the core principle behind allowing necessity to override ceremonial laws like those concerning the showbread and the Sabbath.
barnesMatthew 12:4: "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?"
How he entered into the house of God - That is, the "tabernacle," the temple not being then built. Have ye not read in the law? - In the law, or in the books 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 killin…
calvinMatthew 12:1-8: "At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat."
- At that time Jesus was passing through the corn-fields on the Sabbath; [73] and his disciples were hungry, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat. 2. But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, Lo, thy disciples do what it is not lawful to do on the Sabbath. 3. But he said to them, Have you not read what David did, wh…
Here's a key insight into Matthew 12:4:
Jesus highlights that David, a revered figure, ate the "bread of the Presence" – a sacred food reserved only for priests. By pointing this out, Jesus shows that even strict religious laws have exceptions, especially when human need or a greater purpose is involved.
Jesus is defending his disciples' actions of plucking grain on the Sabbath by bringing up a precedent from King David's time. He reminds the Pharisees that David, when hungry and fleeing for his life, entered the Tabernacle (the "house of God" before the Temple was built) and ate the sacred showbread, which was only permitted for priests. This highlights that even strict religious law had exceptions for urgent human need.
Jesus is defending his disciples' actions of plucking grain on the Sabbath by bringing up a precedent from King David's time. He reminds the Pharisees that David, when hungry and fleeing for his life, entered the Tabernacle (the "house of God" before the Temple was built) and ate the sacred showbread, which was only permitted for priests. This highlights that even strict religious law had exceptions for urgent human need.
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c. AD 27-30
Jesus' Ministry and Sabbath Conflicts
During Jesus' public ministry, His disciples are accused of violating the Sabbath by picking grain, leading Jesus to cite David's example with the showbread.
"how he entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him to eat nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests?" — Here's a key insight into Matthew 12:4:
Jesus highlights that David, a revered figure, ate the "bread of the Presence" – a sacred food reserved only for priests. By pointing this out, Jesus shows…
