Luke 6:3

3 But Jesus stood up for them. "Have you never read what David and those with him did when they were hungry?

Luke 6:3 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 6:3

And Jesus answering them, said
For they brought the charge against the disciples to him, being desirous to know what he would say, and that they might have something to accuse him of; and who, at once, took up the cause of his disciples, and vindicated them, by observing what David did, when he, and his men were an hungry; how that he went into the tabernacle, and took the showbread, and ate of it, and gave it to his men, who also ate of it; which, according to the law, was only allowed to priests; and by taking notice of another instance, which this evangelist does not relate; namely, how on the sabbath days the priests, by doing various servile works, profaned the sabbath day, and yet were not charged with any blame; (See Gill on Matthew 12:3). (See Gill on Matthew 12:4). (See Gill on Matthew 12:5).

Luke 6:3 In-Context

1 On a certain Sabbath Jesus was walking through a field of ripe grain. His disciples were pulling off heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands to get rid of the chaff, and eating them.

2 Some Pharisees said, "Why are you doing that, breaking a Sabbath rule?"

3 But Jesus stood up for them. "Have you never read what David and those with him did when they were hungry?

4 How he entered the sanctuary and ate fresh bread off the altar, bread that no one but priests were allowed to eat? He also handed it out to his companions."

5 Then he said, "The Son of Man is no slave to the Sabbath; he's in charge."