Matthew 12:7
If you'd known the meaning of this Scripture, ‘I want mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you wouldn't have condemned those who are innocent.
Free Bible Version
In The King James Version
In Context
6However, I tell you that someone is here who is greater than the Temple!
8For the Son of man is Lord of the Sabbath.”
Cross References
Joshua 5:5They had all been circumcised when they left Egypt, but those born on the journey since then had not.
Psalms 94:21They work together to destroy good people; they condemn those who are innocent to death.
Proverbs 17:15The Lord hates it when the wicked are acquitted and the innocent condemned.
Hosea 6:6I want your true love, not your sacrifices; I want you to know me, not your burnt offerings.
Matthew 9:13Go and discover what this means: ‘I want mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I didn't come to call those who do what's right—I came to call sinners.”
Acts 13:27The people living in Jerusalem and their leaders didn't recognize Jesus or understand the words spoken by the prophets that are read every Sabbath. In fact they fulfilled the prophetic words by condemning him!
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 →