en_tn_condensed/mat/12/03.md

Connecting Statement:

Jesus responds to the Pharisees' criticism.

to them

"to the Pharisees"

Have you never read ... with him?

Jesus uses a question to respond to the criticism of the Pharisees. Jesus is challenging them to think about the meaning of the scriptures they have read. AT: "I know you have read about ... with him" (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion)

the house of God

During the time of David there was no temple yet. AT: "the tabernacle" or "the place for worshiping God"

bread of the presence

This is sacred bread that priests placed before God in the tabernacle. AT: "bread that the priest placed before God" or "the sacred bread" (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit)

those who were with him

"the men who were with David"

but lawful only for the priests

"but, according to the law, only the priest could eat it"