But he said unto them,
Have you not read what David did, when he was hungry, and they that were with him;
All Commentaries on Matthew 12:3 Go To Matthew 12
George Leo Haydock
AD 1849
What David Christ shows them that the law need not always be taken according to the bare letter.
Into the house of God; i.e. where the tabernacle was then kept: not into the temple, which at that time was not built.
Eat the loaves Christ speaks of those loaves which were ordered to be placed on a table within the tabernacle, and changed from time to time. This translation seems as literal as may be, and more intelligible than loaves of proposition, or shew-bread. (Witham)
To refute this calumny of the Jewish leaders, Jesus reminds them of the conduct of David when pursued by Saul, who, reduced to the like extremity, eat of that bread which the priests alone were allowed to touch. Achimelec, the high priest, thinking it a more pleasing sacrifice to God to preserve the life of man, than to make an offering of bread. (St. Jerome)
And they that were with him. In the place alluded to, (1 Kings xxi.) it is said, that he was alone. It may be answered, that no one was with him when he received the loaves. (Menochius)
