Matthew 12:7
BSB · Public Domain (CC0)“If only you had known the meaning of ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.”
A short, plain-language explanation of Matthew 12:7 goes here — the kind of answer a reader (or an AI assistant) can quote in one breath. Original meaning coming soon.
“If only you had known the meaning of ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.”
Berean Standard Bible · Public Domain (CC0)“But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.”
King James Version · Public Domain“But if ye had known what this meaneth, I desire mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.”
American Standard Version · Public Domain“and if ye had known what is: Kindness I will, and not sacrifice--ye had not condemned the blameless,”
Young's Literal Translation · Public DomainOther passages that echo Matthew 12:7 — 12 related verses from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Joshua 5:5Though all who had come out were circumcised, none of those born in the wilderness on the journey from Egypt had been circumcised.
- Job 32:3and he burned with anger against Job’s three friends because they had failed to refute Job, and yet had condemned him.
- Psalms 94:21They band together against the righteous and condemn the innocent to death.
- Psalms 109:31For He stands at the right hand of the needy one, to save him from the condemners of his soul.
- Proverbs 17:15Acquitting the guilty and condemning the righteous— both are detestable to the LORD.
- Isaiah 1:11“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.
- Hosea 6:6For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
- Micah 6:6With 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?
- Matthew 9:13But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
- Matthew 22:29Jesus answered, “You are mistaken because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.
- Acts 13:27The 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.
- James 5:6You have condemned and murdered the righteous, who did not resist you.
Cross-reference data: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (public domain) via OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0).