Luke 6:4
New International Version
He entered the house of God, and taking the consecrated bread, he ate what is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions.”

New Living Translation
He went into the house of God and broke the law by eating the sacred loaves of bread that only the priests can eat. He also gave some to his companions.”

English Standard Version
how he entered the house of God and took and ate the bread of the Presence, which is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those with him?”

Berean Standard Bible
He entered the house of God, took the consecrated bread and gave it to his companions, and ate what is lawful only for the priests to eat.”

Berean Literal Bible
how he entered into the house of God, and having taken the loaves of the presentation, ate and gave to those with him, which it is not lawful to eat, except to the priests only?"

King James Bible
How he went into the house of God, and did take and eat the shewbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat but for the priests alone?

New King James Version
how he went into the house of God, took and ate the showbread, and also gave some to those with him, which is not lawful for any but the priests to eat?”

New American Standard Bible
how he entered the house of God, and took and ate the consecrated bread, which is not lawful for anyone to eat except the priests alone, and gave it to his companions?”

NASB 1995
how he entered the house of God, and took and ate the consecrated bread which is not lawful for any to eat except the priests alone, and gave it to his companions?”

NASB 1977
how he entered the house of God, and took and ate the consecrated bread which is not lawful for any to eat except the priests alone, and gave it to his companions?”

Legacy Standard Bible
how he entered the house of God, and took and ate the consecrated bread which is not lawful for any to eat except the priests alone, and gave it to his companions?”

Amplified Bible
how he went into the house of God, and took and ate the consecrated bread, which is not lawful [for anyone] to eat except the priests alone, and [how he also] gave it to the men who were with him?”

Christian Standard Bible
how he entered the house of God and took and ate the bread of the Presence, which is not lawful for any but the priests to eat? He even gave some to those who were with him.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
how he entered the house of God, and took and ate the sacred bread, which is not lawful for any but the priests to eat? He even gave some to those who were with him.”

American Standard Version
how he entered into the house of God, and took and ate the showbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat save for the priests alone?

Contemporary English Version
He went into the house of God and took the sacred loaves of bread that only priests were supposed to eat. He not only ate some himself, but even gave some to his followers."

English Revised Version
how he entered into the house of God, and did take and eat the shewbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat save for the priests alone?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Haven't you read how he went into the house of God, ate the bread of the presence, and gave some of it to the men who were with him? He had no right to eat those loaves. Only the priests have that right."

Good News Translation
He went into the house of God, took the bread offered to God, ate it, and gave it also to his men. Yet it is against our Law for anyone except the priests to eat that bread."

International Standard Version
How was it that he went into the house of God, took the Bread of the Presence and ate it, which was not lawful for anyone but the priests to eat, and then gave some of it to his companions?"

Majority Standard Bible
He entered the house of God, took the consecrated bread and also gave it to his companions, and ate what is lawful only for the priests to eat.?

NET Bible
how he entered the house of God, took and ate the sacred bread, which is not lawful for any to eat but the priests alone, and gave it to his companions?"

New Heart English Bible
how he entered into the house of God, and took and ate the show bread, and gave also to those who were with him, which is not lawful to eat except for the priests alone?"

Webster's Bible Translation
How he went into the house of God, and took and ate the show-bread, and gave also to them that were with him, which it is not lawful to eat but for the priests alone?

Weymouth New Testament
how he entered the house of God and took and ate the Presented Loaves and gave some to his followers--loaves which none but the Priests are allowed to eat?"

World English Bible
how he entered into God’s house, and took and ate the show bread, and gave also to those who were with him, which is not lawful to eat except for the priests alone?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
how he went into the house of God, and took the Bread of the Presentation, and ate, and gave also to those with him, which it is not lawful to eat, except only to the priests?”

Berean Literal Bible
how he entered into the house of God, and having taken the loaves of the presentation, ate and gave to those with him, which it is not lawful to eat, except to the priests only?"

Young's Literal Translation
how he went into the house of God, and the loaves of the presentation did take, and did eat, and gave also to those with him, which it is not lawful to eat, except only to the priests?'

Smith's Literal Translation
How he went into the house of God, and took the loaves of the setting before, and ate, and gave also to those with him; which is not lawful to eat, except for priests alone?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
How he went into the house of God, and took and ate the bread of proposition, and gave to them that were with him, which is not lawful to eat but only for the priests?

Catholic Public Domain Version
How he entered into the house of God, and took the bread of the Presence, and ate it, and gave it to those who were with him, though it is not lawful for anyone to eat it, except the priests alone?”

New American Bible
[How] he went into the house of God, took the bread of offering, which only the priests could lawfully eat, ate of it, and shared it with his companions.”

New Revised Standard Version
He entered the house of God and took and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and gave some to his companions?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
He entered into the house of God, and took the bread that was on the table of the Lord and did eat it, and he gave it to those who were with him; that which was unlawful to eat but only for the priests.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“When he entered the house of God and he took and ate the bread of the table of THE LORD JEHOVAH and he gave to those who were with him, which was not legal to eat except for the Priests only?”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
that he entered the house of God, and took the loaves of the presence, and ate, and gave to those also who were with him, which it is not lawful, except for the priests alone, to eat?

Godbey New Testament
How he entered into the house of God, and how he took the shewbread, and ate it, and gave it to those with him; which is not lawful to eat, except the priests only?

Haweis New Testament
how he entered into the house of God, and took the loaves of shew-bread, and did eat, and gave also to those who were with him; which it was not lawful for any to eat, but the priests alone?

Mace New Testament
how he went into the court of the tabernacle, took and eat the shew-bread, and distributed it likewise to the company, which the law allowed the priests only to eat?

Weymouth New Testament
how he entered the house of God and took and ate the Presented Loaves and gave some to his followers--loaves which none but the Priests are allowed to eat?"

Worrell New Testament
how he entered into the house of God, and taking the showbread, ate, and gave to those with him; which it is not lawful to eat, except for the priests only?"

Worsley New Testament
and did take and eat the shew-bread, and gave also to his attendants, which it is not lawful for any to eat but the priests.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Lord of the Sabbath
3Jesus replied, “Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 4 He entered the house of God, took the consecrated bread and gave it to his companions, and ate what is lawful only for the priests to eat.” 5Then Jesus declared, “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”…

Cross References
1 Samuel 21:1-6
Then David came to Nob, to Ahimelech the priest. And when Ahimelech met David, he trembled and asked him, “Why are you alone? Why is no one with you?” / “The king has given me a mission,” David replied. “He told me no one is to know about the mission on which I am sending you. And I have directed my young men to meet me at a certain place. / Now then, what do you have on hand? Give me five loaves of bread, or whatever can be found.” ...

Matthew 12:3-4
Jesus replied, “Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? / 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.

Mark 2:25-26
Jesus replied, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need? / During the high priesthood of Abiathar, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which was lawful only for the priests. And he gave some to his companions as well.”

Exodus 25:30
And place the Bread of the Presence on the table before Me at all times.

Leviticus 24:5-9
You are also to take fine flour and bake twelve loaves, using two-tenths of an ephah for each loaf, / and set them in two rows—six per row—on the table of pure gold before the LORD. / And you are to place pure frankincense near each row, so that it may serve as a memorial portion for the bread, a food offering to the LORD. ...

Hebrews 9:2
A tabernacle was prepared. In its first room were the lampstand, the table, and the consecrated bread. This was called the Holy Place.

1 Chronicles 9:32
Some of their Kohathite relatives were responsible for preparing the rows of the showbread every Sabbath.

1 Kings 21:4-6
So Ahab went to his palace, sullen and angry because Naboth the Jezreelite had told him, “I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers.” He lay down on his bed, turned his face away, and refused to eat. / Soon his wife Jezebel came in and asked, “Why are you so sullen that you refuse to eat?” / Ahab answered, “Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite and told him, ‘Give me your vineyard for silver, or if you wish, I will give you another vineyard in its place.’ And he replied, ‘I will not give you my vineyard!’”

2 Chronicles 24:6-9
So the king called Jehoiada the high priest and said, “Why have you not required the Levites to bring from Judah and Jerusalem the tax imposed by Moses the servant of the LORD and by the assembly of Israel for the Tent of the Testimony?” / For the sons of that wicked woman Athaliah had broken into the house of God and had even used the sacred objects of the house of the LORD for the Baals. / At the king’s command a chest was made and placed outside, at the gate of the house of the LORD. ...

Nehemiah 10:32-33
We also place ourselves under the obligation to contribute a third of a shekel yearly for the service of the house of our God: / for the showbread, for the regular grain offerings and burnt offerings, for the Sabbath offerings, for the New Moons and appointed feasts, for the holy offerings, for the sin offerings to make atonement for Israel, and for all the duties of the house of our God.

Matthew 9:13
But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Hosea 6:6
For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

Matthew 23:23
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin. But you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.

Mark 12:33
and to love Him with all your heart and with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself. This is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

Romans 14:17
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.


Treasury of Scripture

How he went into the house of God, and did take and eat the show bread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat but for the priests alone?

which.

Leviticus 24:5-9
And thou shalt take fine flour, and bake twelve cakes thereof: two tenth deals shall be in one cake…

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Alone Ate Bread Companions David Eat Entered Except Followers Food House Jesus Lawful Presentation Priests Read Shewbread Show Showbread Show-Bread
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Alone Ate Bread Companions David Eat Entered Except Followers Food House Jesus Lawful Presentation Priests Read Shewbread Show Showbread Show-Bread
Luke 6
1. Jesus reproves the Pharisees;
12. chooses apostles;
17. heals the diseased;
20. preaches to his disciples before the people: the beattitudes;
27. Love your Enemy
37. Do not Judge
43. A Tree and Its Fruit
46. The House on the Rock














how he entered the house of God
This phrase refers to the account of David found in 1 Samuel 21:1-6, where David, fleeing from King Saul, enters the tabernacle at Nob. The "house of God" in this context is the tabernacle, the central place of worship for the Israelites before the construction of Solomon's Temple. The Greek word for "entered" (εἰσέρχομαι, eiserchomai) implies a deliberate action, suggesting David's purposeful seeking of refuge and sustenance in God's presence. Historically, this act underscores the sacredness of the tabernacle as a place of divine provision and mercy, even in times of dire need.

and took the consecrated bread
The "consecrated bread" refers to the showbread, also known as the Bread of the Presence, which was placed on a table in the Holy Place of the tabernacle. According to Levitical law (Leviticus 24:5-9), this bread was to be eaten only by the priests. The Greek term for "consecrated" (ἄρτος, artos) highlights its sanctified status, set apart for holy use. David's taking of this bread signifies a moment where human need intersects with divine law, illustrating the principle that God's mercy and provision can transcend ritualistic boundaries in times of necessity.

and ate what is lawful only for the priests to eat
This phrase emphasizes the legal restriction placed on the consumption of the showbread. The Greek word for "lawful" (ἔξεστιν, exestin) denotes what is permitted or allowed by law. In this context, it underscores the exclusivity of the priestly privilege. However, David's actions, which Jesus references, highlight a deeper theological truth: the spirit of the law prioritizes compassion and human need over rigid legalism. This serves as a precursor to Jesus' teaching on the Sabbath, where He emphasizes mercy over sacrifice.

and also gave some to his companions
David not only ate the bread himself but also shared it with those who were with him. This act of sharing underscores the communal aspect of God's provision. The Greek word for "companions" (οἱ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ, hoi met' autou) indicates those who were in fellowship with David, likely his loyal followers. This sharing reflects the biblical principle of community and mutual support, where God's blessings are not hoarded but distributed among His people, reinforcing the idea that divine provision is meant to be inclusive and generous.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
He entered
εἰσῆλθεν (eisēlthen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1525: To go in, come in, enter. From eis and erchomai; to enter.

the
τὸν (ton)
Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

house
οἶκον (oikon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3624: A dwelling; by implication, a family.

of God,
Θεοῦ (Theou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

took
λαβὼν (labōn)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2983: (a) I receive, get, (b) I take, lay hold of.

the
τοὺς (tous)
Article - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

consecrated bread
ἄρτους (artous)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 740: Bread, a loaf, food. From airo; bread or a loaf.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

gave [it]
ἔδωκεν (edōken)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1325: To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give.

to his companions,
τοῖς (tois)
Article - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

[and] ate
ἔφαγεν (ephagen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 5315: A primary verb; to eat.

what
οὓς (hous)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

is lawful
ἔξεστιν (exestin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1832: It is permitted, lawful, possible.

only for
εἰ (ei)
Conjunction
Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.

the
τοὺς (tous)
Article - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

priests
ἱερεῖς (hiereis)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2409: A priest, one who offers sacrifice to a god (in Jewish and pagan religions; of Christians only met.). From hieros; a priest.

to eat.”
φαγεῖν (phagein)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 5315: A primary verb; to eat.


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