Matthew 12:7
Had you learned the meaning of the words – ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned those who are not guilty.
Open English Bible (US)
In The King James Version
In Context
6Here, however, I tell you, there is something greater than the Temple!
8For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.”
Cross References
Joshua 5:5These who had left Egypt were circumcised, but none of the people who had been born in the desert after leaving Egypt had been circumcised.
Psalms 94:21They assail the life of the righteous, and innocent blood condemn.
Hosea 6:6for it is love that I delight in and not sacrifice, and knowledge of God and not burnt offerings.
Matthew 9:13Go and learn what this means – ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice’; for I did not come to call the religious, but the outcast.”
Acts 13:27The people of Jerusalem and their leaders, failing to recognize Jesus, and not understanding the utterances of the prophets that are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them 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 →