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cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad7.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/matthew/12-6.htm" title="Matthew 12:6">◄</a> Matthew 12:7 <a href="/matthew/12-8.htm" title="Matthew 12:8">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/matthew/12.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/matthew/12.htm">New International Version</a> If you had known what these words mean, &#8216I desire mercy, not sacrifice,&#8217 you would not have condemned the innocent. <a href="/nlt/matthew/12.htm">New Living Translation</a> But you would not have condemned my innocent disciples if you knew the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ <a href="/esv/matthew/12.htm">English Standard Version</a> And if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless. <a href="/bsb/matthew/12.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> If only you had known the meaning of ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent. <a href="/blb/matthew/12.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> But if you had known what this is, 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice,' then you would not have condemned the guiltless. <a href="/kjv/matthew/12.htm">King James Bible</a> But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless. <a href="/nkjv/matthew/12.htm">New King James Version</a> But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless. <a href="/nasb_/matthew/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> But if you had known what this means: ‘I DESIRE COMPASSION, RATHER THAN SACRIFICE,’ you would not have condemned the innocent. <a href="/nasb/matthew/12.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220But if you had known what this means, &#8216I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT A SACRIFICE,&#8217 you would not have condemned the innocent. <a href="/nasb77/matthew/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “But if you had known what this means, ‘I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT A SACRIFICE,’ you would not have condemned the innocent. <a href="/lsb/matthew/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> But if you had known what this means, ‘I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT A SACRIFICE,’ you would not have condemned the innocent. <a href="/amp/matthew/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a> And if you had only known what this statement means, ‘I DESIRE COMPASSION [for those in distress], AND NOT [animal] SACRIFICE,’ you would not have condemned the innocent. <a href="/csb/matthew/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> If you had known what this means, I desire mercy and not sacrifice, you would not have condemned the innocent. <a href="/hcsb/matthew/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> If you had known what this means: I desire mercy and not sacrifice, you would not have condemned the innocent. <a href="/asv/matthew/12.htm">American Standard Version</a> But if ye had known what this meaneth, I desire mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless. <a href="/cev/matthew/12.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Don't you know what the Scriptures mean when they say, "Instead of offering sacrifices to me, I want you to be merciful to others?" If you knew what this means, you would not condemn these innocent disciples of mine. <a href="/erv/matthew/12.htm">English Revised Version</a> But if ye had known what this meaneth, I desire mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless. <a href="/gwt/matthew/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> If you had known what 'I want mercy, not sacrifices' means, you would not have condemned innocent people. <a href="/gnt/matthew/12.htm">Good News Translation</a> The scripture says, 'It is kindness that I want, not animal sacrifices.' If you really knew what this means, you would not condemn people who are not guilty; <a href="/isv/matthew/12.htm">International Standard Version</a> If you had known what 'I want mercy and not sacrifice' means, you would not have condemned the innocent, <a href="/msb/matthew/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> If only you had known the meaning of ?I desire mercy, not sacrifice,? you would not have condemned the innocent. <a href="/net/matthew/12.htm">NET Bible</a> If you had known what this means: 'I want mercy and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the innocent. <a href="/nheb/matthew/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> But if you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the innocent. <a href="/wbt/matthew/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless. <a href="/wey/matthew/12.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> And if you knew what this means, 'It is mercy I desire, not sacrifice', you would not have condemned those who are without guilt. <a href="/web/matthew/12.htm">World English Bible</a> But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you wouldn’t have condemned the guiltless. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/matthew/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and if you had known what [this] is: Kindness I will, and not sacrifice—you had not condemned the blameless, <a href="/blb/matthew/12.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> But if you had known what this is, 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice,' then you would not have condemned the guiltless. <a href="/ylt/matthew/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and if ye had known what is: Kindness I will, and not sacrifice -- ye had not condemned the blameless, <a href="/slt/matthew/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And if ye knew what it is, I will mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the innocent.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/matthew/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And if you knew what this meaneth: I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: you would never have condemned the innocent. <a href="/cpdv/matthew/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And if you knew what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would never have condemned the innocent. <a href="/nabre/matthew/12.htm">New American Bible</a> If you knew what this meant, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned these innocent men. <a href="/nrsvce/matthew/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/matthew/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> But if you only knew what it means, I want mercy and not sacrifice, you would not condemn those who are blameless. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/12.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> But if you had known what this is, 'I want mercy and not a sacrifice', you would not have condemned those who are blameless.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/matthew/12.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> But if you had known what this means?I desire mercy, and not sacrifice?you would not have condemned the blameless. <a href="/godbey/matthew/12.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>But if ye had known what this is, I wish mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the innocent.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/matthew/12.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> But if ye had known what that meant, I desire mercy and not sacrifice; ye would not have condemned the innocent. <a href="/mace/matthew/12.htm">Mace New Testament</a> if ye had known the meaning of that expression, "I will have mercy and not sacrifice," ye would not have condemned the guiltless. <a href="/wey/matthew/12.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> And if you knew what this means, 'It is mercy I desire, not sacrifice', you would not have condemned those who are without guilt. <a href="/worrell/matthew/12.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>And, if ye had known what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,' ye would not have condemned the guiltless;<Fr> <a href="/worsley/matthew/12.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>and if ye had known what that <Fr>scripture<FR> means, "I desire mercy rather than sacrifice," ye would not have condemned the guiltless.<Fr> <a href="/parallel/matthew/12-7.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=3052" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/matthew/12.htm">The Lord of the Sabbath</a> …6But I tell you that something greater than the temple is here. 7<a href="/greek/1487.htm" title="1487: Ei (Conj) -- If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.">If</a> <a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">only</a> <a href="/greek/1097.htm" title="1097: egnōkeite (V-LIA-2P) -- A prolonged form of a primary verb; to know in a great variety of applications and with many implications.">you had known</a> <a href="/greek/5101.htm" title="5101: ti (IPro-NNS) -- Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what."></a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estin (V-PIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">the meaning of</a> <a href="/greek/2309.htm" title="2309: thelō (V-PIA-1S) -- To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design. ">‘I desire</a> <a href="/greek/1656.htm" title="1656: Eleos (N-ANS) -- Pity, mercy, compassion. Of uncertain affinity; compassion.">mercy,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ou (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.">not</a> <a href="/greek/2378.htm" title="2378: thysian (N-AFS) -- Abstr. and concr: sacrifice; a sacrifice, offering. From thuo; sacrifice.">sacrifice,’</a> <a href="/greek/302.htm" title="302: an (Prtcl) -- A primary particle, denoting a supposition, wish, possibility or uncertainty."></a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ouk (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not."></a> <a href="/greek/2613.htm" title="2613: katedikasate (V-AIA-2P) -- To condemn, pass sentence upon. From kata and a derivative of dike; to adjudge against, i.e. Pronounce guilty.">you would not have condemned</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tous (Art-AMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/338.htm" title="338: anaitious (Adj-AMP) -- Guiltless, innocent. Innocent.">innocent.</a> 8For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/hosea/6-6.htm">Hosea 6:6</a> For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. <a href="/matthew/9-13.htm">Matthew 9:13</a> But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” <a href="/1_samuel/15-22.htm">1 Samuel 15:22</a> But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams. <a href="/micah/6-6.htm">Micah 6:6-8</a> With what shall I come before the LORD when I bow before the God on high? Should I come to Him with burnt offerings, with year-old calves? / Would the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? / He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? <a href="/psalms/51-16.htm">Psalm 51:16-17</a> For You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; You take no pleasure in burnt offerings. / The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise. <a href="/isaiah/1-11.htm">Isaiah 1:11-17</a> “What good to Me is your multitude of sacrifices?” says the LORD. “I am full from the burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed cattle; I take no delight in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. / When you come to appear before Me, who has required this of you—this trampling of My courts? / Bring your worthless offerings no more; your incense is detestable to Me. New Moons, Sabbaths, and convocations—I cannot endure iniquity in a solemn assembly. ... <a href="/proverbs/21-3.htm">Proverbs 21:3</a> To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice. <a href="/mark/12-33.htm">Mark 12:33</a> and to love Him with all your heart and with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself. This is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” <a href="/luke/11-42.htm">Luke 11:42</a> Woe to you Pharisees! For you pay tithes of mint, rue, and every herb, but you disregard justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without neglecting the former. <a href="/matthew/23-23.htm">Matthew 23:23</a> Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin. But you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. <a href="/hebrews/10-5.htm">Hebrews 10:5-8</a> Therefore, when Christ came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You prepared for Me. / In burnt offerings and sin offerings You took no delight. / Then I said, ‘Here I am, it is written about Me in the scroll: I have come to do Your will, O God.’” ... <a href="/jeremiah/7-22.htm">Jeremiah 7:22-23</a> For when I brought your fathers out of the land of Egypt, I did not merely command them about burnt offerings and sacrifices, / but this is what I commanded them: Obey Me, and I will be your God, and you will be My people. You must walk in all the ways I have commanded you, so that it may go well with you. <a href="/amos/5-21.htm">Amos 5:21-24</a> “I hate, I despise your feasts! I cannot stand the stench of your solemn assemblies. / Even though you offer Me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; for your peace offerings of fattened cattle I will have no regard. / Take away from Me the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. ... <a href="/matthew/5-7.htm">Matthew 5:7</a> Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. <a href="/james/2-13.htm">James 2:13</a> For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>But if you had known what this means, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, you would not have condemned the guiltless.if.<a href="/matthew/9-13.htm">Matthew 9:13</a> But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.<a href="/matthew/22-29.htm">Matthew 22:29</a> Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.<a href="/acts/13-27.htm">Acts 13:27</a> For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him.I will.<a href="/isaiah/1-11.htm">Isaiah 1:11-17</a> To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats… <a href="/hosea/6-6.htm">Hosea 6:6</a> For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.<a href="/micah/6-6.htm">Micah 6:6-8</a> Wherewith shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? … condemned.<a href="/job/32-3.htm">Job 32:3</a> Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.<a href="/psalms/94-21.htm">Psalm 94:21</a> They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous, and condemn the innocent blood.<a href="/psalms/109-31.htm">Psalm 109:31</a> For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor, to save him from those that condemn his soul.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/12-5.htm">Blameless</a> <a href="/matthew/9-36.htm">Compassion</a> <a href="/amos/2-8.htm">Condemned</a> <a href="/matthew/10-39.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/matthew/12-5.htm">Guilt</a> <a href="/matthew/12-5.htm">Guiltless</a> <a href="/matthew/12-5.htm">Innocent</a> <a href="/matthew/11-24.htm">Judging</a> <a href="/matthew/9-13.htm">Kindness</a> <a href="/jonah/1-6.htm">Mean</a> <a href="/matthew/9-13.htm">Meaneth</a> <a href="/matthew/9-13.htm">Means</a> <a href="/matthew/9-27.htm">Mercy</a> <a href="/matthew/9-4.htm">Minds</a> <a href="/matthew/9-13.htm">Offerings</a> <a href="/matthew/9-13.htm">Sacrifice</a> <a href="/matthew/10-20.htm">Words</a> <a href="/matthew/12-5.htm">Wrong</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/luke/1-6.htm">Blameless</a> <a href="/matthew/14-14.htm">Compassion</a> <a href="/matthew/12-37.htm">Condemned</a> <a href="/matthew/12-38.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/matthew/23-32.htm">Guilt</a> <a href="/matthew/27-4.htm">Guiltless</a> <a href="/matthew/23-35.htm">Innocent</a> <a href="/matthew/12-41.htm">Judging</a> <a href="/mark/14-7.htm">Kindness</a> <a href="/matthew/26-70.htm">Mean</a> <a href="/acts/2-12.htm">Meaneth</a> <a href="/matthew/13-14.htm">Means</a> <a href="/matthew/15-22.htm">Mercy</a> <a href="/matthew/13-15.htm">Minds</a> <a href="/mark/1-44.htm">Offerings</a> <a href="/mark/9-49.htm">Sacrifice</a> <a href="/matthew/12-17.htm">Words</a> <a href="/matthew/13-41.htm">Wrong</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 12</div>1. <a href="/matthew/12-1.htm">Jesus reproves the blindness of the Pharisees concerning the Sabbath,</a> 3. <a href="/matthew/12-3.htm">by scripture,</a> 9. <a href="/matthew/12-9.htm">by reason,</a> 13. <a href="/matthew/12-13.htm">and by a miracle.</a> 22. <a href="/matthew/12-22.htm">He heals a man possessed that was blind and mute;</a> 24. <a href="/matthew/12-24.htm">and confronting the absurd charge of casting out demons by Beelzebub, </a> 32. <a href="/matthew/12-32.htm">he shows that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit shall never be forgiven.</a> 36. <a href="/matthew/12-36.htm">Account shall be made of idle words.</a> 38. <a href="/matthew/12-38.htm">He rebukes the unfaithful, who seek after a sign,</a> 46. <a href="/matthew/12-46.htm">and shows who is his brother, sister, and mother.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/12.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/12.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>If only you had known the meaning of This phrase indicates a lack of understanding among the Pharisees, who were well-versed in the Law but often missed its deeper spiritual significance. Jesus is addressing their failure to grasp the heart of God's commandments. This echoes <a href="/hosea/6-6.htm">Hosea 6:6</a>, where God emphasizes the importance of mercy over ritualistic sacrifice. The Pharisees' focus on legalism blinded them to the true intent of the Law, which is love and compassion.‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ This quote from <a href="/hosea/6-6.htm">Hosea 6:6</a> highlights God's preference for mercy over ritualistic observance. In the historical context, sacrifices were a central part of Jewish worship, but they were meant to be expressions of a heart aligned with God's will. The prophets often criticized Israel for offering sacrifices without genuine repentance or love for others. This statement underscores the priority of ethical behavior and compassion over mere ceremonial compliance. It also foreshadows the New Covenant, where Jesus fulfills the Law and emphasizes love as the greatest commandment (<a href="/matthew/22-37.htm">Matthew 22:37-40</a>).you would not have condemned the innocent. Here, Jesus points out the Pharisees' error in judging His disciples for plucking grain on the Sabbath. The disciples were innocent, yet the Pharisees' rigid interpretation of the Law led them to condemn them. This reflects a broader theme in the Gospels where Jesus challenges the religious leaders' understanding of righteousness. The "innocent" can also be seen as a type of Christ, who was ultimately condemned despite His innocence. This phrase calls believers to exercise discernment and compassion, aligning with God's heart rather than adhering to a legalistic mindset.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> The central figure in this passage, teaching about the true nature of God's desires. 2. <a href="/topical/p/pharisees.htm">Pharisees</a> Religious leaders who often emphasized strict adherence to the law over the spirit of the law. 3. <a href="/topical/d/disciples.htm">Disciples</a> Followers of Jesus who were accused by the Pharisees of breaking the Sabbath. 4. <a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a> Mentioned earlier in the chapter as an example of someone who acted out of necessity, breaking ceremonial law. 5. <a href="/topical/t/temple.htm">Temple</a> Represents the place of sacrifice and religious observance, which Jesus references to highlight the difference between ritual and mercy.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_god's_heart.htm">Understanding God's Heart</a> God values mercy and compassion over ritualistic observance. This challenges us to prioritize love and kindness in our daily interactions. <a href="/topical/a/avoiding_legalism.htm">Avoiding Legalism</a> The Pharisees' focus on the letter of the law led them to miss its spirit. We must be careful not to let legalism overshadow the core of our faith. <a href="/topical/m/mercy_in_action.htm">Mercy in Action</a> True faith is demonstrated through acts of mercy. Consider how you can show compassion in your community. <a href="/topical/e/evaluating_traditions.htm">Evaluating Traditions</a> Reflect on religious traditions and practices. Are they serving their intended purpose of drawing us closer to God and others? <a href="/topical/i/innocence_and_judgment.htm">Innocence and Judgment</a> Be cautious in judging others. Jesus warns against condemning the innocent, urging us to seek understanding and grace.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_12.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 12</a> <a href="/q/why_do_i_do_what_i_don't_want_to.htm">What does 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice' mean?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_'mercy,_not_sacrifice'_mean.htm">What does "Mercy, Not Sacrifice" mean?</a> <a href="/q/why_is_grain-picking_on_sabbath_blameless.htm">Matthew 12:1–8: How can picking grain on the Sabbath be considered “blameless” when it appears to contradict strict Old Testament Sabbath laws? </a> <a href="/q/did_jesus_violate_the_sabbath_laws.htm">Did Jesus violate the Sabbath laws?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/12.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(7) I will have mercy, and not sacrifice.--Yet a third argument follows from the Old Testament (<a href="/hosea/6-6.htm" title="For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.">Hosea 6:6</a>). The teachers or interpreters of the Law had failed to catch the meaning of the simplest utterances of the prophets. "Mercy and not sacrifice," moral and not positive duties, these made up the true life of religion, and were alone acceptable to God. It was because they had inverted the right relation of the two that they had, in this instance, condemned those whom our Lord now declares to have been in this respect absolutely guiltless.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/12.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 7. - Matthew only. But if ye had known what this meaneth, I wilt have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless (on the quotation, see <a href="/matthew/9-13.htm">Matthew 9:13</a>, note). Had you learned the simple Bible truth that God places the exercise of your moral faculties, particularly those of kindness, above merely external observances, you would not have committed this sin of taking up the position of wrong judges. He traces their error up to its true source, ignorance of the first principles of religion, ignorance of what God really desires. Condemned. Formally and officially (καταδικάζω). The guiltless. As were the very priests (ver. 5). <a href="/commentaries/matthew/12-7.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>If Εἰ (Ei) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1487.htm">Strong's 1487: </a> If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc. only δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. you had known ἐγνώκειτε (egnōkeite) Verb - Pluperfect Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1097.htm">Strong's 1097: </a> A prolonged form of a primary verb; to 'know' in a great variety of applications and with many implications. the meaning of ἐστιν (estin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. ‘I desire θέλω (thelō) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2309.htm">Strong's 2309: </a> To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design. mercy, Ἔλεος (Eleos) Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1656.htm">Strong's 1656: </a> Pity, mercy, compassion. Of uncertain affinity; compassion. not οὐ (ou) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3756.htm">Strong's 3756: </a> No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not. sacrifice,’ θυσίαν (thysian) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2378.htm">Strong's 2378: </a> Abstr. and concr: sacrifice; a sacrifice, offering. From thuo; sacrifice. you would not have condemned κατεδικάσατε (katedikasate) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2613.htm">Strong's 2613: </a> To condemn, pass sentence upon. From kata and a derivative of dike; to adjudge against, i.e. Pronounce guilty. the τοὺς (tous) Article - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. innocent. ἀναιτίους (anaitious) Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_338.htm">Strong's 338: </a> Guiltless, innocent. Innocent. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/12-7.htm">Matthew 12:7 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/matthew/12-7.htm">Matthew 12:7 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/matthew/12-7.htm">Matthew 12:7 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/matthew/12-7.htm">Matthew 12:7 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/matthew/12-7.htm">Matthew 12:7 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/12-7.htm">Matthew 12:7 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/12-7.htm">Matthew 12:7 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/12-7.htm">Matthew 12:7 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/12-7.htm">Matthew 12:7 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/matthew/12-7.htm">Matthew 12:7 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/matthew/12-7.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 12:7 But if you had known what this (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/12-6.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 12:6"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 12:6" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/12-8.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 12:8"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 12:8" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>