Mark 2:25
New International Version
He answered, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need?

New Living Translation
Jesus said to them, “Haven’t you ever read in the Scriptures what David did when he and his companions were hungry?

English Standard Version
And he said to them, “Have you never read what David did, when he was in need and was hungry, he and those who were with him:

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

Berean Literal Bible
And He said to them, "Did you never read what David did when he had need, and he and those with him hungered--

King James Bible
And he said unto them, Have ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungred, he, and they that were with him?

New King James Version
But He said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and hungry, he and those with him:

New American Standard Bible
And He said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and he and his companions became hungry;

NASB 1995
And He said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and he and his companions became hungry;

NASB 1977
And He said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and became hungry, he and his companions:

Legacy Standard Bible
And He said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and he and his companions became hungry;

Amplified Bible
Jesus said to them, “Have you never read [in the Scriptures] what David did when he was in need and was hungry, he and his companions;

Christian Standard Bible
He said to them, “Have you never read what David and those who were with him did when he was in need and hungry —

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He said to them, “Have you never read what David and those who were with him did when he was in need and hungry—

American Standard Version
And he said unto them, Did ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was hungry, he, and they that were with him?

Contemporary English Version
Jesus answered, "Haven't you read what David did when he and his followers were hungry and in need?

English Revised Version
And he said unto them, Did ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungred, he, and they that were with him?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Jesus asked them, "Haven't you ever read what David did when he and his men were in need and were hungry?

Good News Translation
Jesus answered, "Have you never read what David did that time when he needed something to eat? He and his men were hungry,

International Standard Version
He asked them, "Haven't you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need?

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

NET Bible
He said to them, "Have you never read what David did when he was in need and he and his companions were hungry--

New Heart English Bible
And he said to them, "Did you never read what David did, when he had need, and was hungry--he, and those who were with him?

Webster's Bible Translation
And he said to them, Have ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was hungry, he and they that were with him?

Weymouth New Testament
"Have you never read," Jesus replied, "what David did when the necessity arose and he and his men were hungry:

World English Bible
He said to them, “Did you never read what David did when he had need and was hungry—he, and those who were with him?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And He said to them, “Did you never read what David did when he had need and was hungry, he and those with him?

Berean Literal Bible
And He said to them, "Did you never read what David did when he had need, and he and those with him hungered--

Young's Literal Translation
And he said to them, 'Did ye never read what David did, when he had need and was hungry, he and those with him?

Smith's Literal Translation
And he said to them, Did ye never read what David did, when he had need, and hungered, himself, and those with him?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he said to them: Have you never read what David did when he had need, and was hungry himself, and they that were with him?

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he said to them: “Have you never read what David did, when he had need and was hungry, both he and those who were with him?

New American Bible
He said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and he and his companions were hungry?

New Revised Standard Version
And he said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need of food?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Jesus said to them, Have you not read what David did, when he was in need and hungry, he and those who were with him?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Yeshua said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in great need and was hungry, he and his companions,
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And he said to them: Did you never read what David did, when he had need and was hungry, he and those who were with him?

Godbey New Testament
And He said to them, Have ye not read what David did, when he had need, and was hungry, and those with him?

Haweis New Testament
And he said unto them, Have ye never read what David did, when he was under necessity, and was hungry, himself and they who were with him?

Mace New Testament
but he replied, have ye never read what David, and the rest of the company did, when they were press'd with hunger?

Weymouth New Testament
"Have you never read," Jesus replied, "what David did when the necessity arose and he and his men were hungry:

Worrell New Testament
And He said to them, "Did ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was hungry, he and those who were with him?

Worsley New Testament
And He said unto them, Have ye never read what David did, in his necessity, when he was hungry, himself and those that were with him?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Lord of the Sabbath
24So the Pharisees said to Him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?” 25 Jesus replied, Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need? 26During 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.”…

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.

Luke 6:3-4
Jesus replied, “Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? / 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.”

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. ...

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

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.

Matthew 9:12-13
On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. / 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.

Luke 14:5
And He asked them, “Which of you whose son or ox falls into a pit on the Sabbath day will not immediately pull him out?”

John 7:22-23
But because Moses gave you circumcision, you circumcise a boy on the Sabbath (not that it is from Moses, but from the patriarchs.) / If a boy can be circumcised on the Sabbath so that the law of Moses will not be broken, why are you angry with Me for making the whole man well on the Sabbath?

Colossians 2:16-17
Therefore let no one judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a feast, a New Moon, or a Sabbath. / These are a shadow of the things to come, but the body that casts it belongs to Christ.

Romans 14:5-6
One person regards a certain day above the others, while someone else considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. / He who observes a special day does so to the Lord; he who eats does so to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.

Galatians 4:10
You are observing special days and months and seasons and years!


Treasury of Scripture

And he said to them, Have you never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungered, he, and they that were with him?

Have.

Mark 12:20,26
Now there were seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed…

Matthew 19:4
And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,

Matthew 21:16,42
And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise? …

what.

1 Samuel 21:3-6
Now therefore what is under thine hand? give me five loaves of bread in mine hand, or what there is present…

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Mark 2
1. Jesus followed by multitudes,
3. heals a paralytic;
13. calls Matthew;
15. eats with tax collectors and sinners;
18. excuses his disciples for not fasting;
23. and for picking the heads of grain on the Sabbath day.














Have you never read
This phrase is a rhetorical question posed by Jesus, emphasizing the importance of Scripture. The Greek word for "read" is "anaginōskō," which implies not just reading but understanding and interpreting. Jesus is challenging the Pharisees' understanding of the Scriptures, suggesting that they have missed the deeper meaning. This highlights the necessity for believers to engage with the Bible not just superficially but with a heart open to divine revelation.

what David did
Here, Jesus refers to an event from the life of King David, a revered figure in Jewish history. The historical context is crucial; David, though anointed, was not yet king and was fleeing from Saul. This reference to David serves to draw a parallel between David's actions and Jesus' own ministry, suggesting that necessity and mercy can sometimes transcend ritual law. It underscores the idea that God's anointed may act in ways that challenge conventional religious expectations.

when he and his companions were hungry and in need
This phrase sets the scene of physical need, which is a recurring theme in Scripture. The Greek word for "hungry" is "peinaō," indicating a deep, genuine need. This context of need is critical; it highlights the human condition and the compassionate response that God desires. Jesus uses this example to illustrate that human need can take precedence over ceremonial law, pointing to a God who values mercy over sacrifice.

Verses 25, 26. - David... and they that were with him. This seems opposed to what we read in 1 Samuel 21, where David is stated to have been alone. But the facts appear to have been these, that David, fleeing from Saul, went alone to Ahimelech the high priest, and sought and obtained five loaves of the "shewbread," which he carried away with him to his companions in flight, and shared with them; for he says (1 Samuel 21:2), "I have appointed my servants to such and such a place." This incident actually happened in the high priesthood of Ahimelech the father of Abiathar. Bede says that they were both present when David came in his distress and obtained the shewbread. But Ahimelech having been slain, together with eighty-six priests, by Saul, Abiathar fled to David, and became his companion in his exile. Moreover, when he succeeded to the high priesthood on the death of Ahimelech, he did far more good service than his father had done, and so was worthy of being spoken of with this special commendation, and as though he was actually high priest, even though his father was then living. The words may properly mean "in the days when Abiathar was living who became high priest, and was more eminent than his father." The shewbread; literally, the bread of the face, that is, of the Divine presence, symbolizing the Divine Being who is the Bread of life. It was directed by the Law that within the sanctuary there should be a table of shittim (or acacia) wood; and every sabbath twelve newly baked loaves were placed upon it in two rows. These leaves were sprinkled with incense, and then remained there until the following sabbath. They were then replaced by twelve newly baked loaves, the old loaves being eaten by the priests in the holy place, from which it was unlawful to remove them. These twelve loaves corresponded to the twelve tribes. The force of our Lord's reasoning is this: David, a man after God's own heart, when sorely pressed by hunger, applied to the high priest and took some of these sacred loaves, loaves which under ordinary circumstances it was not lawful for the lay people to eat, because he wisely judged that a positive law, forbidding the laity to eat this bread, ought to yield to a law of necessity and of nature; which intimates to us that in a grave necessity of famine, life may be lawfully preserved by eating even sacred bread which has been dedicated to God. Therefore, in like manner, nay, much more, was it lawful for Christ and his disciples to pluck the ears of corn on the sabbath day, that by rubbing them in their hands they might pick out the good grain and satisfy their hunger.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
But
Καὶ (Kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

[Jesus] replied,
λέγει (legei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

“Have you never read
ἀνέγνωτε (anegnōte)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 314: To read, know again, know certainly, recognize, discern. From ana and ginosko; to know again, i.e. to read.

what
τί (ti)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

David
Δαυὶδ (Dauid)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1138: David, King of Israel. Of Hebrew origin; Dabid, the Israelite king.

did
ἐποίησεν (epoiēsen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4160: (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.

when
ὅτε (hote)
Adverb
Strong's 3753: When, at which time. From hos and te; at which too, i.e. When.

he
αὐτὸς (autos)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

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

his companions
οἱ (hoi)
Article - Nominative 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.

were hungry
ἐπείνασεν (epeinasen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3983: To be hungry, needy, desire earnestly. From the same as penes; to famish; figuratively, to crave.

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

in need?
χρείαν (chreian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5532: From the base of chraomai or chre; employment, i.e. An affair; also occasion, demand, requirement or destitution.


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