Mat 12:3-4 | MHM | STEP | v. 3 : But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him; Jesus answered by reminding them of the story when David and his men were hungry and ate the special bread in the house of God, which was only for the priests (1 Samuel 21:6 ). Jesus wanted to show that human need is more important than ritual rules.

‏ Matthew 12:3-4

v. 3: But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him; Jesus answered by reminding them of the story when David and his men were hungry and ate the special bread in the house of God, which was only for the priests (1 Samuel 21:6 ^a). Jesus wanted to show that human need is more important than ritual rules.

v. 4: 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? Jesus explained that David and his companions ate the bread that only priests were supposed to eat, but God did not blame David for it because they were in need. Mercy was more important than the rule.