Matthew 12:4 - An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

⁴ He entered the house of God [i.e., the Temple] and ate the ‘Bread of Presence’, which was not permissible, according to the Law of Moses, for him or those with him to do, since it was reserved only for the priests.

More versions

King James Version (Oxford) 1769

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?

Amplified Bible - Classic Edition

⁴ How he went into the house of God and ate the loaves of the showbread–which was not lawful for him to eat, nor for the men who accompanied him, but for the priests only?

American Standard Version (1901)

⁴ how he entered into the house of God, and ate the showbread, which it was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them that were with him, but only for the priests?

Common English Bible

⁴ He went into God’s house and broke the law by eating the bread of the presence, which only the priests were allowed to eat.

Catholic Public Domain Version

⁴ how he entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which was not lawful for him to eat, nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests?

Matthew 12:4 Cross References

Matthew 12:3

Jesus replied, “Have you not read what King David did when he and his men were hungry? [I Sam. 21:6]

Matthew 12:5

Or, have you not read in the Law of Moses that the priests in the Temple defiled the Sabbath day [i.e., by doing the ‘work’ of offering sacrifices] and were not held guilty [of wrongdoing]? [See Num. 28:9-10]

Mark 2:26

Or how he entered the house of God [i.e., the Temple] when Abiathar was head priest, and ate the ‘Bread of Presence’ which was not permissible, according to the Law of Moses, for anyone but priests? He even gave [some of it] to those who were with him.”

Luke 6:4

how he entered the house of God [i.e., the Temple] and took some ‘Bread of Presence’ and ate it, and also gave some to his men to eat? [This practice] was not permissible according to the Law of Moses, [since the bread was reserved] only for the priests.”

Hebrews 9:2

For the Tabernacle was constructed with its outer compartment containing the lamp stand and the table and the Bread of Presence. This was called the “Holy Place.”