Mark 2:25 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And he said to them, “Have you never read what David did, when he was in need and was hungry, he and those who were with him:

NIV: He answered, 'Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need?

NASB: And He *said to them, 'Have you never read what David did when he was in need and he and his companions became hungry;

CSB: He said to them, "Have you never read what David and those who were with him did when he was in need and hungry--

NLT: Jesus said to them, 'Haven’t you ever read in the Scriptures what David did when he and his companions were hungry?

KJV: And he said unto them, Have ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungred, he, and they that were with him?

NKJV: But He said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and hungry, he and those with him:

The Pharisees are accusing Jesus' disciples of dishonoring the Sabbath by plucking grain and eating it. According to their traditional laws, this was an act of "work" which was not allowed on that particular day. Instead of defending them by arguing about the law, Jesus starts with the heart-attitudes of the Pharisees. Particularly, their potential hypocrisy in defending someone like David who, several hundred years prior, did something related to ceremonial laws which was arguably far "worse."

By this point, the Pharisees' interaction with Jesus has changed from wonder (Mark 1:27) to silent criticism (Mark 2:6–7) to trying to sow doubt in His disciples (Mark 2:16). Now, they directly accuse Jesus of endorsing His followers while they break a very serious law.

Jesus' responses have always attempted to get His accusers to think—about the Law, the needs of the people around them, and His identity. Jesus uses the Pharisees' own beliefs to show how their thinking has become twisted.

First Samuel 21:1–9 tells the story of a starving David trying to get food while evading King Saul's notice. He sneaks into the tabernacle and convinces the priest to give five loaves of showbread to him and his men. Also called "the bread of the Presence," showbread is twelve loaves of bread that sit on a table in the tabernacle for a week, after which they are eaten by the priests.

By the literal letter of the law, David should not have eaten the showbread. In a somewhat related sense, the disciples should not have plucked and sorted the grain, at least according to the Pharisees' traditions. But, there is meant to be a higher authority than the letter of the law.

Mark 2:23–28 demonstrates how, the more Jesus shows His authority, the more the Pharisees resent Him and take notice of His unorthodox ways. Here, as Jesus' disciples break the Sabbath, is the first time the Pharisees directly confront Him. The Law's Sabbath-day restrictions were preparing food (Exodus 16:23–26), working (Exodus 20:8-11; 31:12–17), kindling a fire (Exodus 35:3), farming (Leviticus 25:1–7), and carrying a burden (Jeremiah 17:19–22). But priests (Numbers 28:9–10; Matthew 12:5) and guards (2 Kings 11:4–9; Nehemiah 13:15–22) still worked. Rather than arguing whether the disciples broke the letter of the Mosaic Law, Jesus argues that it's all moot: He is the Lord of the Sabbath. This story is also found in Matthew 12:1–8 and Luke 6:1–5.

Mark chapter 2 follows the typical style of Mark's gospel with a rapid succession of stories. Jesus heals a man who cannot walk, but only after declaring the man's sins to have been forgiven. Jesus then calls Levi, one of the publically-reviled tax collectors, as a disciple and is seen eating with those the Pharisees view as ''sinners.'' Jesus then answers a challenge about fasting and defends His disciples when they violate the Pharisees' views on keeping the Sabbath. All of these events are met with some resistance from Jesus' critics. He responds in each case with a spiritual, reasonable defense.

In Mark chapter 1, Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist then led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit where He was tempted by Satan. He also taught and healed in Capernaum and throughout Galilee. In chapter 2, having returned to Capernaum, Jesus displays authority over four particular areas: the forgiveness of sins, social traditions, extra-biblical religious traditions, and the Sabbath. In response, the Pharisees—legalistic religious leaders—escalate their antagonism toward Him, culminating in a direct condemnation of His teachings. This sets the scene for Mark 3:6 when the religious and national leadership first get the idea to destroy Jesus.

The Gospel of Mark emphasizes both Jesus' servanthood and His role as the promised Messiah: the Son of God. This is done through a concise, action-packed style. Mark provides relatively few details, instead focusing on actions and simple statements. This relates to the Gospel's authorship, which is believed to be based on the memories of the apostle Peter. These include many of Jesus' miracles, in contrast to other Gospels which include many more of Jesus' teachings and parables. Mark also makes frequent mention of Jesus' ministry being misunderstood by others.