Keraia
Matthew 12

Matthew 12:4

The Lord of the Sabbath · Matthew 12:1–8
Read Matthew 12

Translations

Modern
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.
Traditional
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?
Literal
…how he entered into the house of God, and they ate the loaves of the presentation, which it was not lawful for him to eat, nor for those with him, except for the priests only?
Latin
…quomodo intravit in domum Dei, et panes propositionis comedit, quos non licebat ei edere, neque his qui cum eo erant, nisi solis sacerdotibus?

Original

Greek
English
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.

Notes

Matthew 12:3–4

Sometimes it was right to suspend ceremonial laws (1 Samuel 21:1–6).

Matthew 12:3–7

The Pharisees did not understand that God designed the Sabbath to benefit people. They made it a heavy burden instead.

Matthew 12:1–8

This exchange shows the Pharisees' lack of compassion as they placed a heavy burden on others (Matthew 11:29–30).

Matthew 12:1–14

Matthew closely connects the offer of rest Jesus gives (Matthew 11:28–30) with a discussion about the Sabbath. The rest Jesus offers liberates people from human traditions about the Sabbath (see Hebrews 4:1–11). The Pharisees rejected Jesus because they had a commitment to their tradition.

Events

Parallels

1 Samuel 21:1–7 Mark 2:23–28 Luke 6:1–5

Glossary

Ahimelech Biblical Concept of Law Bread of the Presence Feasts and Festivals of Israel Gospel of Matthew House of God Jesus Christ Miracle Temple Withered Hand

Topics

Church: House of God David: King of Israel: Escapes by Way of Nob, where he Obtains Shewbread and Goliath's Sword from Abimelech Ecclesiasticism: Arrogance of False Accusation: Incidents Illustrative of Against Jesus Form: Irregularities In Jesus, the Christ: Defines the Law of the Sabbath on the Occasion of his Disciples Plucking the Ears of Grain Pharisees: Traditions of, in Regard to The Sabbath Priest: Benefits of The Shewbread Priests: Revenues of Show-Bread After Its Removal Sabbath: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Shewbread (Showbread): |Unlawfully| Eaten by David Shewbread: Not Lawful for Any but the Priests to Eat, Except in Extreme Tradition: Commandments of Men