How he went into the house of God, and did take and eat the shewbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat but for the priests alone?

LUKE 6:4KJV
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Luke 6:4 (KJV)

What does Luke 6:4 mean?

Luke 6:4 records Jesus pointing to David as an example of someone who ate sacred bread normally reserved for priests. Jesus uses that example while answering people who objected to his disciples picking grain on the Sabbath, the Jewish day of rest.

The “house of God” was the place where people worshiped God; in David’s time, it was a sacred tent. The “shewbread” was bread set out before God, so the verse presents David’s action as an exception to its usual use.

The Greek behind Luke 6:4

  • “shewbread” — ἄρτοι τῆς προθέσεως (artoi tēs protheseōs): The phrase means “bread of the setting out.” The Greek points to bread placed on display before God.
  • “lawful” — ἔξεστιν (exestin): The word carries the sense of what is permitted. Here, the permission concerns who may eat the bread, not whether bread itself is acceptable food.

Why Luke 6:4 matters

  • David’s companions are part of Jesus’ example. The words “gave also to them that were with him” connect David’s action with the needs of a group, not just one person.
  • Jesus’ answer concerns a question about permitted actions. In verse 2, some Pharisees ask why the disciples do what is “not lawful” on the Sabbath; Jesus responds with an account involving bread reserved for priests.
  • The account rests on an established rule about the bread. Leviticus 24:5–9 describes bread set out before God and assigned to Aaron and his sons, the priests.

Where else these words appear

“shewbread” Greek G4286 · used in 12 verses

  • Matthew 12:4 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?
  • Acts 27:13 And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete.
  • Ephesians 3:11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

“is” Greek G1832 · used in 30 verses

  • Matthew 12:2 But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day.
  • Mark 2:24 And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?
  • John 5:10 The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed.

“priests” Greek G2409 · used in 30 verses

  • Matthew 8:4 And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.
  • John 1:19 And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?
  • Hebrews 7:17 For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

“alone” Greek G3441 · used in 46 verses

  • Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
  • Luke 24:12 Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.
  • 1 Corinthians 14:36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?