Jesus defended himself and his followers for gleaning a field on the Sabbath, by the Pharisees.
Mark 2:26 How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the shew bread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to them which were with him?
Mark 2:26 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.”
How he entered into the house of the Divine during Abiathar, a chief priest, and he ate the loaves of public display , which is not allowed except for the priests to eat, and he gave also to those being along with him.
Laws were made to be broken.
[πῶς] εἰσῆλθεν εἰς τὸν οἶκον τοῦ θεοῦ ἐπὶ Ἀβιάθαρ ἀρχιερέως
How he entered into the house of the Divine during Abiathar, a chief priest,
καὶ “τοὺς ἄρτους τῆς προθέσεως” ἔφαγεν, οὓς οὐκ ἔξεστιν φαγεῖν εἰ μὴ τοὺς ἱερεῖς,
and the loaves of public display he ate , which not is lawful to eat, except for the priests
καὶ ἔδωκεν καὶ τοῖς σὺν αὐτῷ οὖσιν;
and he gave also to those along with him. being
In most modern translations, the bread here is described as "sacred" or "consecrated", but the Greek word describing it means that it was "for show." The parallel verses in Luke 6:4 and Matthew 12:4 are phrased differently but communicate the same idea. As we say in the previous verse, the focus is on David here, with the line about those being with him added on. Jesus is taking responsibility for gleaning on the Sabbath over the idea of blaming his followers. Here, the idea is that he "gave" the grain to them.
The phrase "in the days of Abiathar, the high priest" is the source of the dispute about a "mistake" in this verse, but this is largely an artifact of loose translation. Ahimelech was the high priest when David took the bread from the temple, but the verse doesn't say "the high priest" but "a high priest, which indicates that there was more than one. Abiathar was Ahimelech’s son, likely living at the time considered to be a high priest as well, and who was later the high priest. (Read this article for history of the issue.)
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "went" is not the common word usually translated as "went."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "God" is not shown in the English translation.
- IP - Inserted Phrase-- The phrase "the days of" doesn't exist in the source.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "the" before "high priest" doesn't exist in the source.
- WF -- Wrong Form - The "shew" is not an adjective but a noun.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "shew" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "but" is not the common word usually translated as "but."
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "them" is not the common word usually translated as "them."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "which" doesn't exist in the source.
- WF -- Wrong Form - The "were" is not an active verb but a participle, "being."
- WT --Wrong Tense - The English verb "were" is the past tense, but Greek is in the present tense "being."
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "with" is not the common word usually translated as "with."
- IP - Inserted Phrase-- The phrase "the days of" doesn't exist in the source.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "the" before "high priest" doesn't exist in the source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "God" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "consecrated" is not shown in the English translation.
- WF -- Wrong Form - The "consecrated" is not an adjective but a noun.
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "consecrated" should be something more like "public display."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "not" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "only" is not the common word usually translated as "only."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "some" doesn't exist in the source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "being" is not shown in the English translation
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "together with" is not shown in the English translation.
- WF -- Wrong Form - The "his" is not the possessive but the indirect object "him."
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "companions" should be something more like "those."
How -- "How" is the adverb that means "how," "by any means," and "I suppose." This is a common interrogatory pronoun used by Jesus. This word appears in some sources but not all.
he -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
went -- (CW) "Went" is a word that means "go or come into" and has the double meaning of "coming into one's mind." This is not a simple "go" but a word that means "enter." It begin with the prefix meaning "into."
into -- The word translated as "into" means "into" a place, "towards" as a direction, "as much as (of measure or limit)," "in regards to" a subject,"up to" limits in time and measure, and "for" a purpose or object.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article; without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
house -- The Greek word translated as "house," is any dwelling place but not exclusively a separate house. It means the household or clan that lives in the building as well.
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession.
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.
God -- The word translated as "God" means "God" and "deity." It is introduced with an article, so "the God," "the Divine" or "the divine one." Jesus often uses it this way perhaps to indicate the one God as opposed to the pagan gods.
in -- The word translated as "unto" means "on," "over," "upon," "against," "before," "after," "during," "by" "in the case of." The sense when referring to time is "during."
the days of -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as "the days of " in the Greek source.
Abiathar - - This "Abiathar" is the name of the high priest in David's time written in Greek letters.
the -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "the" in the Greek source.
high priest, - "High priests" is from a word that means "arch-priest," "high priest," and "chief priest."
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."
did -- This English helping verb is used to create questions, commands, negative statements, and smooth word flow in translation from Greek
eat -- The word translated as "eat" means "eat" but it also means "fret," as we say "something is eating me up."
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article; without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
shew - (WF) The word for "shew" is a word that means "placing in public," "public notice," or "offering." This is not an adjective but a noun.
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.
bread, -- The word translated as "bread" means "small loaf or cake of bread." It is more like a slice of bread today. It describes a thin 1/2 inch thick round or an oblong loaf of wheat bread, meant to be torn into pieces and not cut. It was closer to a flour tortilla or a piece of pan than a loaf of bread. "Bread" is one of Christ's most basic symbols, representing temporary physical nourishment as contrasted with permanent spiritual nourishment.
which -- The word translated as "which" is a demonstrative pronoun ("this" "that"), but it often acts as a pronoun "which," "what," "who," "whosoever," "where," "for which reason," and many similar meanings.
is -- This helping verb indicates the present tense of the verb. It is used here to form the present, progressive tense, which doesn't exist in Greek but which can smooth the flow of English sentences.
not -- The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It means "no," "not," or"no truly." It makes a negative statement of fact. Adding "really" to the sentence captures the same idea. When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words.
lawful -- "Lawful" is a verb, which means "it is possible" and "it is allowed." It generally refers to something within someone's power, or, in this case with the negative, something outside of someone's power. This word does not, as it might seem, refer directly to Biblical law.
to -- This "to" is added because the infinitive form of the verb requires a "to" in English.
eat -- The word translated as "ye shall eat" means "eat" but it also means "fret," as we say "something is eating me up."
but - (CW) Two Greek words are translated as "except." Literally, they mean "if not" but this phrase is used to mean "except," "instead," and "but." This is not the common word for "but" and generally means "except."
for -- There is nothing that can be translated as "for" in the Greek source but it is needed in English.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article; without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
priests, -- The Greek noun translated as "priest" means "priest," "sacrificer," and "diviner." -
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."
gave -- The verb translated as "given" means "to give," "to grant," "to hand over," "appoint," "establish," and "to describe." It is almost always translated as some form of "give."
also -- The Greek word translated as "also" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."
to -- This word "to" comes from the dative case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object. However, the translator can choose other prepositions: "with," "in," "of," "as," "by," "for," "at," or "on" depending on the context
them -- (CW) The word translated as "them" is the Greek definite article; without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. This is not the pronoun usually translated as "them."
which -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "which" in the Greek source. It was added because the next verb was translated as active rather than as a participle.
were -- (WF, WT) The verb "were" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics. The word also means "to exist" and where it doesn't connect to characteristics or conditions. With the genitive object, the sense is "belongs to." With an indirect object, it means "have" where the subject and object are reversed. -- When the verb "to be" appears early in the clause before the subject, the sense is more like "it is" or, in the plural, "there are."
with -- (CW) The word translated as "with" is also not from the word Christ uses to say "with." It is from a preposition that Christ rarely uses that means "along with" and, when referring to things "attached to" and "by means of."
him? -- The word translated as "him" or "to him" is the Greek adjective that acts like our third-person pronoun. The form is the third person, plural as an indirect object of the verb or the object of a preposition. A dative object of a preposition implies no movement but in a fixed position.
In -- The word translated as "unto" means "on," "over," "upon," "against," "before," "after," "during," "by" "in the case of." The sense when referring to time is "during."
the days of -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as "the days of " in the Greek source.
Abiathar - - This "Abiathar" is the name of the high priest in David's time written in Greek letters.
the -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "the" in the Greek source.
high priest, - "High priest" is from a word that means "arch-priest," "high priest," and "chief priest."
he -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
entered -- "Entered" is a word that means "go or come into" and has the double meaning of "coming into one's mind." This is not a simple "go" but a word that means "enter." It begin with the prefix meaning "into."
into -- The word translated as "into" means "into" a place, "towards" as a direction, "as much as (of measure or limit)," "in regards to" a subject,"up to" limits in time and measure, and "for" a purpose or object.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article; without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
house -- The Greek word translated as "house," is any dwelling place but not exclusively a separate house. It means the household or clan that lives in the building as well.
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession.
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.
God -- The word translated as "God" means "God" and "deity." It is introduced with an article, so "the God," "the Divine" or "the divine one." Jesus often uses it this way perhaps to indicate the one God as opposed to the pagan gods.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."
ate-- The word translated as "ate" means "eat" but it also means "fret," as we say "something is eating me up."
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article; without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
consecrated - (WW, WF) The word for "consecrated " is a word that means "placing in public," "public notice," or "offering." This is not an adjective but a noun.
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.
bread, -- The word translated as "bread" means "small loaf or cake of bread." It is more like a slice of bread today. It describes a thin 1/2 inch thick round or an oblong loaf of wheat bread, meant to be torn into pieces and not cut. It was closer to a flour tortilla or a piece of pan than a loaf of bread. "Bread" is one of Christ's most basic symbols, representing temporary physical nourishment as contrasted with permanent spiritual nourishment.
which -- The word translated as "which" is a demonstrative pronoun ("this" "that"), but it often acts as a pronoun "which," "what," "who," "whosoever," "where," "for which reason," and many similar meanings.
is -- This helping verb indicates the present tense of the verb. It is used here to form the present, progressive tense, which doesn't exist in Greek but which can smooth the flow of English sentences.
missing "not" -- (MW) The untranslated word "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It means "no," "not," or"no truly." It makes a negative statement of fact. Adding "really" to the sentence captures the same idea. When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words.
lawful -- "Lawful" is a verb, which means "it is possible" and "it is allowed." It generally refers to something within someone's power, or, in this case with the negative, something outside of someone's power. This word does not, as it might seem, refer directly to Biblical law.
only - (CW) Two Greek words are translated as "only." Literally, they mean "if not" but this phrase is used to mean "except," "instead," and "but." This is not the common word for "but" and generally means "except."
for -- There is nothing that can be translated as "for" in the Greek source but it is needed in English.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article; without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
priests, -- The Greek noun translated as "priest" means "priest," "sacrificer," and "diviner." -
to -- This "to" is added because the infinitive form of the verb requires a "to" in English.
eat -- The word translated as "ye shall eat" means "eat" but it also means "fret," as we say "something is eating me up."
And -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."
he -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
also -- The Greek word translated as "also" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."
gave -- The verb translated as "given" means "to give," "to grant," "to hand over," "appoint," "establish," and "to describe." It is almost always translated as some form of "give."
some -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "some" in the Greek source.
to -- This word "to" comes from the dative case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object. However, the translator can choose other prepositions: "with," "in," "of," "as," "by," "for," "at," or "on" depending on the context.
missing "being" -- (MW) The untranslated word . "being" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics.
missing "together with" -- (MW) The untranslated word "together with" is also not from the word Christ uses to say "with." It is from a preposition that Christ rarely uses that means "along with" and, when referring to things "attached to" and "by means of."
his -- (WF) The word translated as "him" or "to him" is the Greek adjective that acts like our third-person pronoun. The form is the third person, plural as an indirect object of the verb or the object of a preposition. A dative object of a preposition implies no movement but in a fixed position. This is not a possessive.
companions. -- (WW) The word translated as "companions" is the Greek definite article; without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. This is not the pronoun usually translated as "them."
[πῶς] 36 verses](pron indecl form) "How" is pos, which means "how," "how in the world," "how then," "in any way," "at all," "by any mean," "in a certain way,"and "I suppose."
εἰσῆλθεν [68 verses](verb 2nd sg aor imperat) "Enter" is eiserchomai which means both "to go into," "to come in," "to enter," "to enter an office," "to enter a charge," (as in court) and "to come into one's mind."
εἰς [325 verses](prep) "Into" is eis, which means "into (of place)," "up to (of time)," "until (of time)," "as much as (of measure or limit)," "as far as (of measure or limit)," "towards (to express relation)," "in regard to (to express relation)," "of an end or limit," and "for (of purpose or object)."
τὸν [821 verses](article sg masc acc) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
οἶκονv [29 verses](noun sg masc acc)"House" is oikos, which means "house," "dwelling place," "room," "home," "meeting hall," "household goods," "substance," and "ruling family." It is any dwelling place but not exclusively a separate house.
τοῦ [821 verses](article sg masc gen) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
θεοῦ [144 verses](noun sg masc gen) "God" is theos, which means "God," "divine," and "Deity."
ἐπὶ [138 verses](prep) "On" is from epi which means "on," "upon," "at," "by," "before," "across," and "against." With a noun in the possessive, genitive, it means "upon," "on" but not necessarily of Place, "by (of persons)," "deep (with numbers)," "in the presence of," "towards," "in the time of," and "over (referring to a person of authority)." With a noun indirect object, dative, it means of place: "upon," "on," or "over," of people: "against (in a hostile sense)," regarding a situation: "towards" or "in reference to," of an accumulation: "upon," "after," "addition to," and "besides," of position: "after," "behind," "in dependence upon," and "in the power of," of time: "by," and "after," and. in a causal sense: "of the occasion or cause," "of an end or purpose," "of the condition upon which a thing is done," "on condition that," and "of price." With the objective noun, an accusative, it means of place: "upon or on to a height," "up to," "as far as," "a little way," "a little," "towards," "to," in hostile sense: "against," of extension: "over," "over (a space)," of time: "for," "during," "up to" or "till," in a causal sense: "of (the object)," for (this purpose)," "as regards," "according to," and "by (this cause)." With verbs of perceiving, observing, judging, it means "in the case of."
Ἀβιάθαρ [1 verse](proper noun) "Abiathar" is the Greek spelling of a name. Abiathar was Ahimelech’s son.
ἀρχιερέως [4 verses](noun sg masc gen) "Unto the Chief priests" is archiereus, which means "arch-priest" and "chief priest."
καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
“τοὺς [821 verses](article pl masc acc) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
ἄρτους [32 verses](noun pl masc acc)"Bread" is artos, which means specifically a "cake of whole wheat bread," and generally "loaf," and "bread."
τῆς [821 verses](article sg fem gen) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). -
προθέσεως” [3 verses](noun sg fem gen ) "Shew..." is prothesis, which means "placing in public," "public notice," "offering," "purpose," "end proposed," "goodwill," "supposition," "calculation," "prefixing," "placing first," and, in grammar, "preposition."
ἔφαγεν, [30 verses](verb 3rd sg aor ind act) "Ate" is esthio, which means "to eat," "devour," "fret," "vex," and to "take in one's mouth." It is also a metaphor for decay and erosion.
οὓς [294 verses](pron pl masc acc) "Which" is hos, which means "this," "that," "he," "she," "which," "what," "who," "whosoever," "where," "for which reason," and many similar meanings.
οὐκ [269 verses](partic) "Not" is ou , the negative adverb for facts and statements, negating both single words and sentences. The other negative adverb, μή applies to will and thought; οὐ denies, μή rejects; οὐ is absolute, μή relative; οὐ objective, μή subjective.
ἔξεστιν [7 verses] (verb 3rd sg pres ind act) "It is lawful" is exesti, which means "to be allowed," "is possible," and "to be in one's power."
φαγεῖν [30 verses](verb aor inf act) "To eat" is esthio, which means "to eat," "devour," "fret," "vex," and to "take in one's mouth." It is also a metaphor for decay and erosion.
εἰ μὴ [14 verses](conj particle) "But" is ei me, which is the conjunction that means "if not," "but," and "except." εἰ is the particle use with the imperative usually to express conditions "if" or indirect questions, "whether." mê (me) is the negative used in prohibitions and expressions of doubt meaning "not" and "no."
τοὺς [821 verses](article pl masc acc) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
ἱερεῖς, [8 verses](noun pl masc acc) "Priest" is from hiereus, which means "priest," "sacrificer," and "diviner."
καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
ἔδωκεν [147 verses](verb 3rd sg aor ind act) "Gave" is didomi, which means "to give," "to grant," "to hand over," "appoint," "establish," and "to describe."
καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "Also" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
τοῖς [821 verses](article pl masc dat) "Those" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
σὺν [4 verses](prep) "With" is syn, which means "along with," "in company with," "together with," "together," of things "attached to," as an instrument "by means of,"
αὐτῷ [106 verses](pron/adj sg masc/neut dat) "Him" is the dative case of the third-person, singular adjective that is used as a pronoun. The word also means "the same,""one's true self," and "the soul" as opposed to the body. It also means "of one's own accord."
οὖσιν; .(part pl pres act masc dat) "Were" is eimi, which means "to be," "to exist," "to be the case," of circumstance and events "to happen," and "is possible." With the genitive object, the sense is "belongs to." With the dative, it means "have" where the subject and object are reversed.