Luke 6:3 - Jesus, answering them, said, “Haven’t you read what David did when he was hungry, he, and those who were with him;
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What does "Luke 6:3" mean?
This verse, Luke 6:3, is part of a larger story in which Jesus' disciples are picking and eating grain on the Sabbath. The Pharisees are criticizing them for working on the Sabbath, which was against Jewish law.
Jesus' response, "Haven’t you read what David did when he was hungry, he, and those who were with him," is an argument from Scripture and an appeal to precedent. Here's a breakdown:
"Haven't you read...": Jesus is challenging the Pharisees' understanding of Scripture. He implies they are being overly legalistic and missing the point of the law.
"...what David did when he was hungry, he, and those who were with him;": This refers to an event recorded in 1 Samuel 21:1-6. David, fleeing from King Saul and in desperate need of food, went to the tabernacle and ate the consecrated bread (the showbread), which was normally reserved only for the priests.
The significance of this reference:
Necessity overrides strict adherence to the law: Jesus argues that in situations of dire need, the letter of the law can be superseded by a higher principle: compassion and the preservation of life. David's hunger justified his breaking the law about eating the consecrated bread.
Jesus' authority: By referencing David, a revered figure in Jewish history, Jesus is subtly asserting his own authority. He's suggesting that like David, his actions (and those of his followers) are justified by a greater purpose.
Highlighting the spirit vs. the letter of the law: Jesus is emphasizing the importance of understanding the intent behind the law, rather than just rigidly following the rules. The Sabbath was created for the benefit of humankind, not the other way around. He's implying that showing compassion and meeting basic needs is consistent with the spirit of the Sabbath.
In essence, Jesus is saying that the Pharisees are being hypocritical and missing the point. He's using a historical example to show that there are times when compassion and necessity outweigh strict adherence to the letter of the law.
Luke 6:3 - Jesus, answering them, said, “Haven’t you read what David did when he was hungry, he, and those who were with him;
What does "Luke 6:3" mean?
This verse, Luke 6:3, is part of a larger story in which Jesus' disciples are picking and eating grain on the Sabbath. The Pharisees are criticizing them for working on the Sabbath, which was against Jewish law.
Jesus' response, "Haven’t you read what David did when he was hungry, he, and those who were with him," is an argument from Scripture and an appeal to precedent. Here's a breakdown:
"Haven't you read...": Jesus is challenging the Pharisees' understanding of Scripture. He implies they are being overly legalistic and missing the point of the law.
"...what David did when he was hungry, he, and those who were with him;": This refers to an event recorded in 1 Samuel 21:1-6. David, fleeing from King Saul and in desperate need of food, went to the tabernacle and ate the consecrated bread (the showbread), which was normally reserved only for the priests.
The significance of this reference:
Necessity overrides strict adherence to the law: Jesus argues that in situations of dire need, the letter of the law can be superseded by a higher principle: compassion and the preservation of life. David's hunger justified his breaking the law about eating the consecrated bread.
Jesus' authority: By referencing David, a revered figure in Jewish history, Jesus is subtly asserting his own authority. He's suggesting that like David, his actions (and those of his followers) are justified by a greater purpose.
Highlighting the spirit vs. the letter of the law: Jesus is emphasizing the importance of understanding the intent behind the law, rather than just rigidly following the rules. The Sabbath was created for the benefit of humankind, not the other way around. He's implying that showing compassion and meeting basic needs is consistent with the spirit of the Sabbath.
In essence, Jesus is saying that the Pharisees are being hypocritical and missing the point. He's using a historical example to show that there are times when compassion and necessity outweigh strict adherence to the letter of the law.