He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, and those who were with him:
Christ takes for granted that David was free from blame, because the Holy Spirit bestows commendation on the priest who allowed him to partake of the holy bread. Hence it follows that the ceremonies of the Law are not violated where there is no infringement of godliness, when nothing is taken away from the reverence due to God.
AI summary
The Jews had twisted the fourth commandment into a harsh strictness that Christ here corrects by His example. Works of necessity and mercy are lawful on the Sabbath; Christ's careful exposition proves the commandment stands firm for all ages, but His Church is freed from the rigid rules the Jewish elders had piled upon it.
AI summary
Commenting on Matthew 12:1-13
The Jews themselves own that hunger excuses eating the showbread even by those not priests. David was in utmost distress and said to the priest: give it me, that we may not die with hunger. This perfectly justifies the apostles' conduct and agrees with our Lord's argument.
AI summary