Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Matthew 12:3

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

How then doth Jesus defend His disciples? "Have ye not read," saith He, "what David did in the temple, when he was an hungered, himself and all they that were with him? how he entered into the house of God, and did eat the show-bread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests?" Thus, whereas in pleading for His disciples, He brings forward David; for Himself, it is the Father. …

Homily on the Gospel of Matthew 39 ↗

Western Saints

Augustine of Hippo

It should be observed, that one example is taken from royal persons, as David, the other from priestly, as those who profane the sabbath for the service of the Temple, so that much less can the charge concerning the rubbing the ears of corn attach to Him who is indeed King and Priest.

Catena Aurea by Aquinas ↗

Jerome

But he said to them: Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, and those who were with him: how he entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him to eat, nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? To refute the slander of the Pharisees, he recalls an old story, when David, fleeing from Saul, came to Nob and was received by the priest Ahimelech. …

Commentary on Matthew ↗

Thomas Aquinas

He said to them... Here the justification is given: first, with certain examples; secondly, with a text of Scripture (v. 7). In regard to the first he does two things: first, he gives an example, in which some were excused on account of necessity; secondly, in which some were excused on account of holiness (v. 5). He says, therefore, He said to them... …

Commentary on Matthew ↗