Matthew 12:3

1 At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat them.

2 When the Pharisees saw this, they said to Him, “Look, Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.”

Jesus replied, “Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry?

4 He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread, which was not lawful for them to eat, but only for the priests.

5 Or haven’t you read in the Law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple break the Sabbath and yet are innocent?

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Jesus replied, “Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry?
KJV
But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him;
WEB
But he said to them, “Haven’t you read what David did when he was hungry, and those who were with him:
ASV
But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was hungry, and they that were with him;
DARBY
But he said to them, Have ye not read what David did when he was hungry, and they that were with him?
BLB
And He said to them, “Did you⁺ not read what David did when he was hungry, and those with him—
ÅB
Men han sa til dem: «Har dere ikke lest hva David gjorde da han var sulten, han og de som var med ham?
OTB
Han svarte: «Har dere ikke lest hva David gjorde da han og hans følgesvenner var sultne?
B1930
Men han sa til dem: Har I ikke lest hvad David gjorde da han var sulten, han og de som var med ham,

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 1 Samuel 21:3–6

    Now then, what do you have on hand? Give me five loaves of bread, or whatever can be found.”

    Read in context
  • Luke 6:3

    Jesus replied, “Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry?

    Read in context
  • Mark 2:25–26

    Jesus replied, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need?

    Read in context
  • Matthew 21:16

    “Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked. “Yes,” Jesus answered. “Have you never read: ‘From the mouths of children and infants You have ordained praise’?”

    Read in context
  • Mark 12:10

    Have you never read this Scripture: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.

    Read in context
  • Matthew 12:5

    Or haven’t you read in the Law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple break the Sabbath and yet are innocent?

    Read in context
  • Mark 12:26

    But concerning the dead rising, have you not read about the burning bush in the Book of Moses, how God told him, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’?

    Read in context
  • Matthew 22:31

    But concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what God said to you:

    Read in context