Matthew 12:7
And if ye had known what that is, I desire mercy, and not sacrifice; ye would not have criminated them who are without fault.
James Murdock's Translation of the Syriac Peshitta
In The King James Version
In Context
6But I say to you, that a greater than the temple is here.
8For the Son of man, is lord of the sabbath.
Cross References
Matthew 9:13Go and learn what that is: I require compassion, and not a sacrifice! For I did not come to call the righteous, but the sinful.
Acts 13:27For, those inhabitants of Jerusalem and their chiefs, did not apprehend it; neither did they apprehend also the writings of the prophets, which are read every sabbath; but they condemned him, and fulfilled all the things written.
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 →