Mark 2:25 Meaning and Explanation
“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?”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Jesus appeals to the example of David, who ate when he and his men were hungry.
What Does Mark 2:25 Mean?
Jesus answers the Pharisees on their own ground—the Scriptures they revered. "Have you never read," he asks, recalling the story of David, who, fleeing and hungry with his men, was given the consecrated bread to eat. He meets their objection not with novelty but with the very record they claim to honor.
By invoking David, Jesus shows that human need has its rightful place even alongside sacred regulation. The Scriptures themselves make room for mercy in a moment of true hunger. He gently exposes that his critics have read the law without grasping its heart. The same word they wield against him, rightly understood, vindicates compassion—and points toward the greater Son of David now standing before them.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mark 2:25
What does Mark 2:25 mean?
Jesus appeals to the example of David, who ate when he and his men were hungry.