Luke 6:3 (KJV)

What does Luke 6:3 mean?

In Luke 6:3, Jesus answers people who challenge his followers’ actions on the Sabbath, the Jewish day of rest. He points them to an account of David and his companions when they were hungry, asking them to consider that earlier situation.

Jesus frames his answer as a question: “Have ye not read so much as this?” The wording presses his hearers to think about a story they could find in their own sacred writings. His mention of hunger brings the needs of David and his companions into the discussion.

The Greek behind Luke 6:3

• “read” — ἀναγινώσκω (anaginōskō): This word means to read. Jesus’ question points his hearers to a written account, rather than simply asking whether they had heard a story.
• “hungred” — πεινάω (peinaō): This word means to be hungry. The KJV’s older phrase “was an hungred” describes David’s physical need for food.

Why Luke 6:3 matters

• Jesus answers the challenge by appealing to a familiar account, not by treating the question as trivial. His words “Have ye not read” direct his hearers to consider David’s actions.

• The example includes people accompanying David. Jesus says David was hungry along with “they which were with him,” bringing the needs of a group into view.

• The force of Jesus’ question becomes clearer in verse 4. He goes on to describe David taking bread from the house of God and giving some to his companions, although that bread was reserved for priests. The account Jesus refers to is found in 1 Samuel 21:1–6.