1. Matthieu 12:3–4 (NEG79)
  2. Explication du texte

Why does Jesus remind the Pharisees of the law with the phrase have you not read?

Matthieu 12:3–4 (NEG79)

3 Mais Jésus leur répondit: N'avez-vous pas lu ce que fit David, lorsqu'il eut faim, lui et ceux qui étaient avec lui;

En bref

The words have you not read stress that the Pharisees should have known what he is explaining from Scripture. The scribes had read the passage, but not well; they did not apply it.

Jesus uses the phrase have you not read in Matthew 12:3 and elsewhere in order to highlight that the Pharisees should have already been familiar with the principle he is explaining from Scripture. One may observe that Jesus knew very well that the scribes had, of course, read the relevant Scriptural passage. Yet they had not read it well; they did not apply it.