Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 6:4

"how he entered into the house of God, and took and ate the showbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat save for the priests alone?" — Luke 6:4 (ASV)

Jesus’ response (v.3) centers in an analogy from Scripture (1 Samuel 21:1–6). He calls to mind an instance in which the infringement of a rule to meet human need received no condemnation. Note too that the Scriptural analogy and the present incident involve a Davidic figure and his companions. The point is that ceremonial rites must give way to a higher moral law.