Matthew 12:7

7 Scripture says, 'I want mercy and not sacrifice.'(Hosea 6:6) You don't know what those words mean. If you did, you would not bring charges against those who are not guilty.

Matthew 12:7 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 12:7

But if ye had known what this meaneth,
&c,] The passage of Scripture in ( 6:6 )

I will have mercy, and not sacrifice;
of the sense of which, (See Gill on Matthew 9:13)

ye would not have condemned the guiltless.
Our Lord taxes the Pharisees both with ignorance of the Scriptures, in which they pretended to be very knowing, and took upon them to be the interpreters of; and with inhumanity, for condemning innocent persons, the apostles, for rubbing a few ears of corn, for the refreshment of nature; which they would never have done, had they understood the word, and will of God; who prefers acts of humanity, compassion, and mercy, to the observance of rites and ceremonies; or had they the common affections of human nature, and those bowels of compassion which one man ought to show to another.

Matthew 12:7 In-Context

5 Haven't you read the Law? It tells how every Sabbath day the priests in the temple have to do their work on that day. But they are not considered guilty.

6 "I tell you that one who is more important than the temple is here.

7 Scripture says, 'I want mercy and not sacrifice.'(Hosea 6:6) You don't know what those words mean. If you did, you would not bring charges against those who are not guilty.

8 The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath day."

9 Going on from that place, Jesus went into their synagogue.