Mark 2:26
New International Version
In the days of Abiathar the high priest, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions.”

New Living Translation
He went into the house of God (during the days when Abiathar was high priest) and broke the law by eating the sacred loaves of bread that only the priests are allowed to eat. He also gave some to his companions.”

English Standard Version
how he entered the house of God, in the time of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those who were with him?”

Berean Standard Bible
During the high priesthood of Abiathar, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which was lawful only for the priests. And he gave some to his companions as well.”

Berean Literal Bible
how he entered into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the loaves of the presentation, which is not lawful to eat except for the priests--and he even gave to those being with him?"

King James Bible
How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the shewbread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to them which were with him?

New King James Version
how he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the showbread, which is not lawful to eat except for the priests, and also gave some to those who were with him?”

New American Standard Bible
how he entered the house of God in the time of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the consecrated bread, which is not lawful for anyone to eat except the priests, and he also gave it to those who were with him?”

NASB 1995
how he entered the house of God in the time of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the consecrated bread, which is not lawful for anyone to eat except the priests, and he also gave it to those who were with him?”

NASB 1977
how he entered the house of God in the time of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the consecrated bread, which is not lawful for anyone to eat except the priests, and he gave it also to those who were with him?”

Legacy Standard Bible
how he entered the house of God around the time of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the consecrated bread, which is not lawful for anyone to eat except the priests, and he also gave it to those who were with him?”

Amplified Bible
how he went into the house of God in the time of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the sacred bread, which is not lawful for anyone but the priests to eat, and how he also gave it to the men who were with him?”

Christian Standard Bible
how he entered the house of God in the time of Abiathar the high priest and ate the bread of the Presence —which is not lawful for anyone to eat except the priests —and also gave some to his companions? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
how he entered the house of God in the time of Abiathar the high priest and ate the sacred bread—which is not lawful for anyone to eat except the priests—and also gave some to his companions?”

American Standard Version
How he entered into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest, and ate the showbread, which it is not lawful to eat save for the priests, and gave also to them that were with him?

Contemporary English Version
It was during the time of Abiathar the high priest. David went into the house of God and ate the sacred loaves of bread that only priests are allowed to eat. He also gave some to his followers."

English Revised Version
How he entered into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest, and did eat the shewbread, which it is not lawful to eat save for the priests, and gave also to them that were with him?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Haven't you ever read how he went into the house of God when Abiathar was chief priest and ate the bread of the presence? He had no right to eat those loaves. Only the priests have that right. Haven't you ever read how he also gave some of it to his men?"

Good News Translation
so he went into the house of God and ate the bread offered to God. This happened when Abiathar was the High Priest. According to our Law only the priests may eat this bread--but David ate it and even gave it to his men."

International Standard Version
How was it that he went into the House of God during the lifetime of Abiathar the high priest and ate the Bread of the Presence, which was not lawful for anyone but the priests to eat, and gave some of it to his companions?"

Majority Standard Bible
During the high priesthood of Abiathar, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which was lawful only for the priests. And he gave some to his companions as well.?

NET Bible
how he entered the house of God when Abiathar was high priest and ate the sacred bread, which is against the law for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to his companions?"

New Heart English Bible
How he entered into the house of God in the time of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the show bread, which is not lawful to eat except for the priests, and gave also to those who were with him?"

Webster's Bible Translation
How he went into the house of God, in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the show-bread, which it is not lawful to eat, but for the priests, and gave also to them who were with him?

Weymouth New Testament
how he entered the house of God in the High-priesthood of Abiathar, and ate the Presented Loaves--which none but the priests are allowed to eat--and gave some to his men also?"

World English Bible
How he entered into God’s house at the time of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the show bread, which is not lawful to eat except for the priests, and gave also to those who were with him?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
How he went into the house of God, in [the days of] Abiathar the chief priest, and ate the Bread of the Presentation, which it is not lawful to eat, except to the priests, and he also gave to those who were with him?”

Berean Literal Bible
how he entered into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the loaves of the presentation, which is not lawful to eat except for the priests--and he even gave to those being with him?"

Young's Literal Translation
how he went into the house of God, (at 'Abiathar the chief priest,') and the loaves of the presentation did eat, which it is not lawful to eat, except to the priests, and he gave also to those who were with him?'

Smith's Literal Translation
How he went into the house of God to Abiathar the chief priest, and ate the loaves of setting up, which is not lawful to eat but for priests, and gave to those being with him?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
How he went into the house of God, under Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the loaves of proposition, which was not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave to them who were with him?

Catholic Public Domain Version
How he went into the house of God, under the high priest Abiathar, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful to eat, except for the priests, and how he gave it to those who were with him?”

New American Bible
How he went into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest and ate the bread of offering that only the priests could lawfully eat, and shared it with his companions?”

New Revised Standard Version
He entered the house of God, when Abiathar was high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and he gave some to his companions.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
How he entered into the house of God when Abiathar was the chief priest, and ate the bread which was on the table of the Lord, which was not lawful to be eaten except by the priests, and he gave it also to those who were with him?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
As he entered the house of God when Abiathar was Chief Priest, and he ate the bread of the altar of THE LORD JEHOVAH, which was not legal to eat except for the priests? And he gave also to those who were with him.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
How he entered the house of God in the days of Abiathar the chief priest, and ate the loaves of the presence, which, it is not lawful, except for the priests, to eat, and gave to those also who were with him?

Godbey New Testament
How he entered into the house of God, in the days of Abiathar, the high priest, and did eat the shewbread, which is not lawful to eat except for the priest, and he gave it to those being with him?

Haweis New Testament
How he entered into the house of God to Abiathar the high-priest; and did eat the shewbread, which it was not lawful for any to eat except the priests, and he gave also to those who were with him?

Mace New Testament
how he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar, who was afterwards high-priest, and did eat the shew-bread, giving some of it likewise to the company, though the law allow'd no body to eat of it but the priests.

Weymouth New Testament
how he entered the house of God in the High-priesthood of Abiathar, and ate the Presented Loaves--which none but the priests are allowed to eat--and gave some to his men also?"

Worrell New Testament
How he entered into the house of God during the high priesthood of Abiathar, and ate the show-bread, which it is not lawful to eat except for the priests, and gave also to those who were with him?"

Worsley New Testament
how he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar, who was afterwards the high priest, and did eat the shew-bread, which it is not lawful for any to eat, but the priests, and gave also to them that were with him!

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Lord of the Sabbath
25Jesus replied, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need? 26During the high priesthood of Abiathar, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which was lawful only for the priests. And he gave some to his companions as well.” 27Then Jesus declared, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.…

Cross References
1 Samuel 21:1-6
Then David came to Nob, to Ahimelech the priest. And when Ahimelech met David, he trembled and asked him, “Why are you alone? Why is no one with you?” / “The king has given me a mission,” David replied. “He told me no one is to know about the mission on which I am sending you. And I have directed my young men to meet me at a certain place. / Now then, what do you have on hand? Give me five loaves of bread, or whatever can be found.” ...

Matthew 12:3-4
Jesus replied, “Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? / He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread, which was not lawful for them to eat, but only for the priests.

Luke 6:3-4
Jesus replied, “Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? / He entered the house of God, took the consecrated bread and gave it to his companions, and ate what is lawful only for the priests to eat.”

1 Samuel 22:10
Ahimelech inquired of the LORD for him and gave him provisions. He also gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.”

Hebrews 9:4
containing the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. Inside the ark were the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant.

Exodus 25:30
And place the Bread of the Presence on the table before Me at all times.

Leviticus 24:5-9
You are also to take fine flour and bake twelve loaves, using two-tenths of an ephah for each loaf, / and set them in two rows—six per row—on the table of pure gold before the LORD. / And you are to place pure frankincense near each row, so that it may serve as a memorial portion for the bread, a food offering to the LORD. ...

1 Chronicles 9:32
Some of their Kohathite relatives were responsible for preparing the rows of the showbread every Sabbath.

1 Chronicles 24:5-19
Thus they were divided by lot, for there were officers of the sanctuary and officers of God among both Eleazar’s and Ithamar’s descendants. / The scribe, Shemaiah son of Nethanel, a Levite, recorded their names in the presence of the king and of the officers: Zadok the priest, Ahimelech son of Abiathar, and the heads of families of the priests and the Levites—one family being taken from Eleazar, and then one from Ithamar. / The first lot fell to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah, ...

1 Samuel 22:17-19
Then the king ordered the guards at his side, “Turn and kill the priests of the LORD, because they too sided with David. For they knew he was fleeing, but they did not tell me.” But the king’s servants would not lift a hand to strike the priests of the LORD. / So the king ordered Doeg, “You turn and strike down the priests!” And Doeg the Edomite turned and struck down the priests himself. On that day he killed eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod. / He also put to the sword Nob, the city of the priests, with its men and women, children and infants, oxen, donkeys, and sheep.

Matthew 12:1-8
At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat them. / When the Pharisees saw this, they said to Him, “Look, Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.” / Jesus replied, “Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? ...

Luke 6:1-5
One Sabbath Jesus was passing through the grainfields, and His disciples began to pick the heads of grain, rub them in their hands, and eat them. / But some of the Pharisees asked, “Why are you doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?” / Jesus replied, “Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? ...

1 Samuel 16:1-13
Now the LORD said to Samuel, “How long are you going to mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have selected from his sons a king for Myself.” / “How can I go?” Samuel asked. “Saul will hear of it and kill me!” The LORD answered, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ / Then invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you are to do. You are to anoint for Me the one I indicate.” ...

1 Samuel 23:9-12
When David learned that Saul was plotting evil against him, he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod.” / And David said, “O LORD, God of Israel, Your servant has heard that Saul intends to come to Keilah and destroy the city on my account. / Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me into his hand? Will Saul come down, as Your servant has heard? O LORD, God of Israel, please tell Your servant.” “He will,” said the LORD. ...

1 Samuel 30:7-8
Then David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelech, “Bring me the ephod.” So Abiathar brought it to him, / and David inquired of the LORD: “Should I pursue these raiders? Will I overtake them?” “Pursue them,” the LORD replied, “for you will surely overtake them and rescue the captives.”


Treasury of Scripture

How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the show bread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to them which were with him?

Abiathar.

2 Samuel 8:17
And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Seraiah was the scribe;

1 Chronicles 18:16
And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Abimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Shavsha was scribe;

1 Kings 2:26
And unto Abiathar the priest said the king, Get thee to Anathoth, unto thine own fields; for thou art worthy of death: but I will not at this time put thee to death, because thou barest the ark of the Lord GOD before David my father, and because thou hast been afflicted in all wherein my father was afflicted.

1 Samuel 22:20-22
And one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped, and fled after David…

1 Samuel 23:6,9
And it came to pass, when Abiathar the son of Ahimelech fled to David to Keilah, that he came down with an ephod in his hand…

2 Samuel 8:17
And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Seraiah was the scribe;

which is not lawful.

Exodus 29:32,33
And Aaron and his sons shall eat the flesh of the ram, and the bread that is in the basket, by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation…

Leviticus 24:5-9
And thou shalt take fine flour, and bake twelve cakes thereof: two tenth deals shall be in one cake…

Jump to Previous
Abiathar Abi'athar Allowed Ate Bread Chief Companions Consecrated Eat Entered Except Food High High-Priesthood House Lawful Loaves Presentation Presented Priest Priests Section Shewbread Show Showbread Show-Bread Time Unless
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Abiathar Abi'athar Allowed Ate Bread Chief Companions Consecrated Eat Entered Except Food High High-Priesthood House Lawful Loaves Presentation Presented Priest Priests Section Shewbread Show Showbread Show-Bread Time Unless
Mark 2
1. Jesus followed by multitudes,
3. heals a paralytic;
13. calls Matthew;
15. eats with tax collectors and sinners;
18. excuses his disciples for not fasting;
23. and for picking the heads of grain on the Sabbath day.














how he entered the house of God
This phrase refers to the actions of David, as recounted in 1 Samuel 21:1-6. The "house of God" during David's time was the tabernacle, a portable earthly dwelling place of Yahweh used by the Israelites. The tabernacle was a sacred space, and entering it was a significant act, especially for someone not a priest. This highlights David's desperation and the pressing need that justified his actions. The Greek word for "entered" (εἰσέρχομαι, eiserchomai) implies a deliberate action, suggesting that David's entry was purposeful and necessary. This sets the stage for understanding Jesus' teaching on the Sabbath, emphasizing mercy and human need over ritualistic observance.

in the time of Abiathar the high priest
Abiathar was a significant figure in David's life, serving as a high priest during his reign. However, the event in question actually occurred when Ahimelech, Abiathar's father, was high priest. This has been a point of discussion among scholars. Some suggest that "in the time of Abiathar" could mean "in the lifetime of Abiathar," as he was a prominent high priest during David's reign. This phrase underscores the continuity of God's provision and guidance through the priesthood, even amidst human error and misunderstanding.

and ate the consecrated bread
The "consecrated bread" refers to the showbread, also known as the bread of the Presence, which was placed in the tabernacle as an offering to God. According to Levitical law (Leviticus 24:5-9), this bread was to be eaten only by the priests. The Greek term for "consecrated" (ἄρτος, artos) signifies something set apart for a holy purpose. David's consumption of this bread, though technically unlawful, was permitted due to his dire need. This act prefigures Jesus' teaching that human need can transcend ceremonial law, pointing to the heart of God's law, which is compassion and mercy.

which was lawful only for the priests to eat
This phrase emphasizes the exclusivity of the showbread for priestly consumption, as outlined in the Mosaic Law. The Greek word for "lawful" (ἔξεστιν, exestin) indicates what is permitted or allowed within the boundaries of the law. By highlighting this restriction, the text underscores the radical nature of David's actions and, by extension, Jesus' teaching. It challenges the rigid interpretation of the law, inviting believers to consider the spirit of the law, which prioritizes love and mercy over strict adherence to ritual.

and he also gave some to his companions
David's sharing of the consecrated bread with his companions further illustrates the principle of mercy over sacrifice. The Greek word for "companions" (σὺν αὐτῷ, syn auto) implies those who were with him, sharing in his plight and need. This act of sharing underscores the communal aspect of God's provision, reminding believers that God's mercy and grace are not just for individuals but for the community as a whole. It reflects the heart of Jesus' ministry, which consistently reached out to meet the needs of those around Him, breaking down barriers of legalism to extend God's love and compassion to all.

(26) In the days of Abiathar the high priest.--St. Mark's is the only record that gives the name of the high priest, and in so doing it creates an historical difficulty. In 1Samuel 21:1, Ahimelech is named as exercising the high priest's office in the Tabernacle at Nob. He is slain by Doeg, at the command of Saul, and his son Abiathar joins David at the cave of Adullam (1Samuel 22:20), and continues to act as high priest till his deposition by Solomon (1Kings 2:26). Two conjectural explanations suggest themselves as probable: (1) that St. Mark, or that our Lord, may have given the name of the more famous priest of the two, who, though not then high-priest, was at the Tabernacle at the time referred to; (2) that he might have acted then as a coadjutor to his father, as Eli's sons seem to have done to him (1Samuel 4:4), and being, as his flight showed, of David's party, was the chief agent in allowing him to take the shew-bread.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
During
ἐπὶ (epi)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

the high priesthood
ἀρχιερέως (archiereōs)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 749: High priest, chief priest. From arche and hiereus; the high-priest; by extension a chief priest.

of Abiathar,
Ἀβιαθὰρ (Abiathar)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 8: Abiathar, a priest in King David's time. Of Hebrew origin; Abiathar, an Israelite.

he entered
εἰσῆλθεν (eisēlthen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1525: To go in, come in, enter. From eis and erchomai; to enter.

the
τὸν (ton)
Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

house
οἶκον (oikon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3624: A dwelling; by implication, a family.

of God
Θεοῦ (Theou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

ate
ἔφαγεν (ephagen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 5315: A primary verb; to eat.

the
τοὺς (tous)
Article - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

consecrated bread,
ἄρτους (artous)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 740: Bread, a loaf, food. From airo; bread or a loaf.

which
οὓς (hous)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

was lawful
ἔξεστιν (exestin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1832: It is permitted, lawful, possible.

only
εἰ (ei)
Conjunction
Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.

for the
τοὺς (tous)
Article - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

priests.
ἱερεῖς (hiereis)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2409: A priest, one who offers sacrifice to a god (in Jewish and pagan religions; of Christians only met.). From hieros; a priest.

And
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

he gave [some]
ἔδωκεν (edōken)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1325: To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give.

to his companions
τοῖς (tois)
Article - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

as well.”
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.


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NT Gospels: Mark 2:26 How he entered into the house (Mar Mk Mr)
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