Matthew 12:7

5 Or haven’t you read in the Law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple break the Sabbath and yet are innocent?

6 But I tell you that something greater than the temple is here.

If only you had known the meaning of ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.

8 For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”

9 Moving on from there, Jesus entered their synagogue,

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
If only you had known the meaning of ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.
KJV
But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.
WEB
But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you wouldn’t have condemned the guiltless.
ASV
But if ye had known what this meaneth, I desire mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.
DARBY
But if ye had known what is: I will have mercy and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.
BLB
But if you⁺ had known what is ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice,’ then you⁺ would not have condemned the guiltless.
ÅB
Og dersom dere hadde visst hva dette betyr: ‘Jeg vil ha barmhjertighet og ikke offer’, så hadde dere ikke fordømt uskyldige.
OTB
Hadde dere forstått hva dette betyr: ‘Jeg ønsker barmhjertighet, ikke offer,’ ville dere ikke ha fordømt de uskyldige.
B1930
Og dersom I hadde visst hvad det er: Jeg har lyst til barmhjertighet og ikke til offer, da hadde I ikke fordømt de uskyldige.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Hosea 6:6

    For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

    Read in context
  • Matthew 9:13

    But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

    Read in context
  • Micah 6:6–8

    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?

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 1:11–17

    “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.

    Read in context
  • Proverbs 17:15

    Acquitting the guilty and condemning the righteous— both are detestable to the LORD.

    Read in context
  • Matthew 22:29

    Jesus answered, “You are mistaken because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.

    Read in context
  • Acts 13:27

    The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning Him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 109:31

    For He stands at the right hand of the needy one, to save him from the condemners of his soul.

    Read in context