Matthew 12:7
If only you had known the meaning of ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.
Berean Standard Bible
In The King James Version
In Context
6But I tell you that something greater than the temple is here.
8For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”
Cross References
Joshua 5:5Though all who had come out were circumcised, none of those born in the wilderness on the journey from Egypt had been circumcised.
Psalms 94:21They band together against the righteous and condemn the innocent to death.
Proverbs 17:15Acquitting the guilty and condemning the righteous— both are detestable to the LORD.
Hosea 6:6For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
Matthew 9:13But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Acts 13:27The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning Him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath.
Matthew Henry on Matthew 12:2-14
Christ Vindicates His Disciples. 1 At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat. 2 But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day. 3 But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him; 4 How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the showbread, which was not lawful for him… Read the whole commentary →