Luke 6:4 Meaning and Explanation
“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?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →David entered the house of God and ate the consecrated shewbread, sharing it with his men, though the law reserved it for the priests.
What Does Luke 6:4 Mean?
Jesus finishes the story. David took the shewbread — the twelve loaves set out each week before the Lord and afterward eaten by the priests alone (Leviticus 24:5-9) — and he ate it and shared it with his hungry companions. The priest gave it to him, and Scripture records no rebuke.
The bread set before the face of God ended up feeding the hungry, and heaven was not offended. The holy things of God serve his mercy; they are not weapons against the needy. Jesus reads the old story as God's own commentary on the sabbath question: when ritual restriction and human need stood face to face, the anointed and his followers were fed.
Luke 6:4 in the Original Language
prothesis (πρόθεσις), 'shewbread' -- literally a setting forth, the loaves placed weekly in the presence of God.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 6:4
What does Luke 6:4 mean?
David entered the house of God and ate the consecrated shewbread, sharing it with his men, though the law reserved it for the priests.