Matthew 12:3

Amharic Tigrinya 2011

ንሱ ኸኣ በሎም፡ ዳዊት ዝገበሮ፡ ንሱን እቶም ምስኡ ዝነበሩን ምስ ጠመዩ፡

What Does This Mean?

Jesus is speaking here and he's talking about David from the Old Testament. He’s asking why people didn’t read what David did when he was hungry and needed to eat bread that wasn't his.

Explained for Children

Imagine you're playing hide-and-seek, and you’re really hungry but can only find some snacks in a friend’s house. Jesus is saying it's okay sometimes to do things that might seem not right if you have a good reason, like being really hungry!

Historical Background

Matthew wrote this gospel likely around 80-90 AD for a Jewish-Christian audience. The cultural setting was one where the Pharisees strictly adhered to the law and questioned Jesus' interpretation of it.

Living It Out Today

When you find yourself in an emergency situation, like needing help during a crisis, sometimes taking actions that might seem against the rules can be justified if they are done out of necessity. For example, borrowing a neighbor’s car without asking because you need to rush someone to the hospital.

Topics

• law and grace
• necessity
• biblical interpretation
• Jesus' teachings
• Old Testament references
• Pharisees

Related Verses

• 1 Samuel 21:1-6
• Mark 2:25-26
• Luke 6:3-4
• Matthew 9:13
• John 7:23

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Jesus refer to David’s story?

Jesus used the example of David to show that sometimes, out of necessity, one might have to do things that are not ideal or strictly lawful. He was arguing against the Pharisees who criticized his disciples for picking grain on the Sabbath.

What does this tell us about Jesus' view on the law?

Jesus viewed the law with a sense of flexibility and grace, suggesting that certain rules can be set aside when there is an urgent need or necessity, as in David’s case.

How did the Pharisees respond to this story?

The Pharisees likely challenged Jesus' interpretation because they strictly adhered to the law without making exceptions. They saw Jesus’ disciples breaking Sabbath rules and expected him to follow those laws as well.

What can we learn from David's situation in Matthew 12:3?

We can understand that while it’s important to respect laws and guidelines, there are times when circumstances demand flexibility. It teaches us the importance of discernment in applying rules with mercy.