Matthew 12:4
Matthew 12:4 is the fourth verse in the twelfth chapter of the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament. Content. In the original Greek according to Westcott-Hort for this verse is: In the King James Version of the Bible the text reads: The New International Version translates the passage as: Analysis. According to Lapide the show-bread were loaves which were always placed before the Holy of Holies. There were twelve of them to represent the twelve tribes of Israel, and these loaves, God commanded to be renewed every Sabbath. According to Lev. 24:8 these loaves were  only eaten by the priests, and that only in the Tabernacle. However, in the case of David like the apostles, the requirements of people being fed surpassed the normal rules. Commentary from the Church Fathers. Jerome: " Observe that neither David nor his servants received the loaves of show-bread, before they had made answer that they were pure from women." Chrysostom: " But some one will say, How is this instance applicable to the question in hand? For David did not transgress the sabbath. Herein is shown the wisdom of Christ, that He brings forward an instance stronger than the sabbath . For it is by no means the same thing to violate the sabbath, and to touch that sacred table, which is lawful for none. And again, He adds yet another answer, saying, Or have ye not read in the Law, that on the sabbath days the Priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless?"