2:25–26

In these verses Jesus responded to the Pharisees’ accusation by referring to a story about King David, who had lived long ago. (When Jewish leaders debated, they often referred to teachings and stories from the Bible to support their statements.) This story is found in 1 Samuel 21:1–6.

In order for readers to understand this story, they need to know certain background information about Jewish history and culture. It may be necessary to include footnotes in your translation to explain some of this background information. You may also need to make some of the implied information explicit in the text. The notes on these verses will give suggestions.

In Greek, 2:25–26 are one long question. In many languages, it will be necessary to express this in shorter sentences. It may also be necessary to change the order of some information in these verses. In some languages it may be most natural to combine the verses and number them together as 25–26. See the General Comment on 2:25–26 at the end of the notes on 2:26d for an example.

2:25a

Jesus replied: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Jesus replied is literally “and he said to them.” Refer to both Jesus and the Pharisees in a natural way in your language for this context. In some languages you may need to use a more specific verb than “said.” Introduce Jesus’ speech in the most appropriate way in your language.

Have you never read what David did…?: The clause Have you never read what David did is the beginning of a rhetorical question.

Jesus used this clause in two ways:

(a) He used it to introduce his answer to the Pharisees. In this question Jesus reminded them about a story of David in the Old Testament.

(b) He used it to rebuke the Pharisees because they should have realized that the story about David indicated that God was concerned for his people. Jesus knew that the Pharisees had read this story, but their actions showed that they were ignoring it.

There are two ways to translate this rhetorical question:

• As a question. For example:

Haven’t you ever read what David did…? (God’s Word)
-or-
Didn’t you understand what you read about the time when David…?

• As a statement. For example:

Surely you have read what David did…
-or-
You speak as if you have never read what David did…

Translate the rhetorical question in an appropriate way in your language for this context.

read: Jesus referred to something the Pharisees would have read in the Scriptures. If your readers would not understand that this story is in the Scriptures, you may need to supply this information. For example, the New Living Translation has:

Haven’t you ever read in the Scriptures what David did…?

David: David was a king of Israel who lived many years before Jesus and the Pharisees. The Pharisees and the other Jewish people had great respect for David. This story happened in David’s early life before he became king. If your readers would not be familiar with the life of David, you should include some information about him in a footnote.

2:25b

This clause introduces a particular situation in David’s life. Jesus wanted the Pharisees to compare that situation with his disciples picking grain on the Sabbath.

when he and his companions were hungry and in need: In Greek this part of the verse is literally “when he had need and was hungry, he and those with him.” The order of these words expresses a focus on David as the one who asked for the consecrated bread. The Berean Standard Bible has used a different order because of English style. You should translate this clause in a way that is natural in your language.

he: The pronounhe refers to David.

his companions: David’s companions were the men who were with him at the time that Jesus told about.

were hungry and in need: The phrases hungry and in need refer to the same situation. David and his companions needed food because they were hungry. Using both phrases emphasizes the situation. In some languages it may be more natural to emphasize it in a different way. For example:

when he and his companions were very hungry
-or-
when he and his men were hungry and had nothing to eat (Revised English Bible)

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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
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