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Matthew 12:3

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Matthew 12:3 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was hungry, and they that were with him;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was hungry, and they that were with him;
Matthew 12:3 — American Standard Version

Context — Matthew 12

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1At that season Jesus went on the sabbath day through the grainfields; and his disciples were hungry and began to pluck ears and to eat.
2But the Pharisees, when they saw it, said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which it is not lawful to do upon the sabbath.
3But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was hungry, and they that were with him;
4how 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?
5Or have ye not read in the law, that on the sabbath day the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are guiltless?
6But I say unto you, that one greater than the temple is here.
← Matthew 12:2Matthew 12:4 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“But he said unto them, have ye not read, etc.] If they had not read the Scriptures, they were very unfit persons either to be teachers, or censurers of others, and must have been very slothful and negligent; and if they had, they could not but have observed the case of David, which Christ produces in vindication of his disciples: what David did when he was an hungred; which was the case of the disciples, and is therefore mentioned; it being also the circumstance which could, and did excuse what was done by David and his men: and the Jews themselves own, that in case of hunger the showbread might be eaten, by those that were not priests; not only that which was removed from the table, but…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“But he said unto them, Have ye not read--or, as Mark (Mar 2:25) has it, "Have ye never read." what David did when he was an hungered, and they that were with him-- (Sa1 21:1-6)”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“But he said unto them ... - To vindicate his disciples, he referred them to a similar case, recorded in the Old Testament, and therefore one with which they ought to have been acquainted. This was the case of David. The law commanded that twelve loaves of bread should be laid on the table in the holy place in the tabernacle, to remain a week, and then to be eaten by the “priests only.” Their place was then supplied by fresh “bread.” This was called the “showbread,” Leviticus 24:5-9. David, fleeing before Saul, weary and hungry, had come to Ahimelech the priest; had found only this bread; had asked it of him, and had eaten it contrary to the “letter” of the law, 1 Samuel 21:1-7. David, among…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Have ye not read what David did - And necessity was a sufficient plea for his transgressing the law in a higher instance. Matthew 12:4”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“12:3-7 The Pharisees did not understand that the Sabbath was designed to benefit people. Their view of the Sabbath placed onerous burdens on people. 12:3-4 Ritual laws were at times rightly suspended for particular people or circumstances (1 Sam 21:1-6).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Have: Mat 12:5, Mat 19:4, Mat 21:16, Mat 22:31; Mar 12:10, Mar 12:26; Luk 6:3, Luk 10:26 what: Sa1 21:3-6; Mar 2:25, Mar 2:26 Matthew 12:4”
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Related study paths

Read Matthew 12 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification