· Translation: KJV

Mark 2:25He said to them, "Did you never read what David did, when he had need, and was hungry--he, and those who were with him?

The setting

Galilee, ~30 AD. A grainfield on the Sabbath. Pharisees confront Jesus about his hungry disciples picking grain, violating their oral law...

The emotion here: patient but firm, defending his disciples

The original word

anegnōte (ἀνέγνωτε) — have you read/recognized, implying they missed the meaning

Why it matters

David's showbread incident happened at Nob, where 85 priests were later massacred because they helped him

Read with care

What most readers miss in Mark 2:25

Jesus calls David's action lawbreaking too — but justified by human need

Common misconceptionPeople think Jesus is dismissing Old Testament law, but he's actually using it to show that human compassion was always the higher principle.

Bible Genome reading

Mark 2:25 — Bible Genome reading

SpeakerJesus
Eragospel
Primary emotiongrowing
Literary typenarrative

Emotional genome

Comfort power45%
Quotability60%
Memorability70%
Crisis relevance55%
Standalone50%
Themes:precedentnecessity

In context

No verse stands alone.

Read the conversation around it.

Open Mark 2

Mark 2:25 comes from the book of Mark, written during the gospel period. These words are attributed to Jesus. The dominant emotion in this verse is growing, with a comfort power of 45% and a tone that is reflective. It belongs to the narrative genre of biblical literature. Key themes include precedent, necessity. Notable phrases: what David did; when he had need.

Your reflection

What does Mark 2:25 mean to you, today?

A short note. A question. A prayer. Saved privately to your Soul Garden, dated, and tied to this verse forever.

Speak your heart →

Get 3 verses for "growing"

Delivered to your inbox right now. Free.