Matthew 12:7

“But if yee had knowen what this meaneth, I will haue mercy, and not sacrifice, yee would not haue condemned the guiltlesse.”

1611 King James Version (KJV)




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Other Translations

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

"But if you had known what this means, 'I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT A SACRIFICE,' you would not have condemned the innocent.
- New American Standard Version (1995)

But if ye had known what this meaneth, I desire mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.
- American Standard Version (1901)

But if these words had been in your minds, My desire is for mercy and not for offerings, you would not have been judging those who have done no wrong.
- Basic English Bible

But if ye had known what is: I will have mercy and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.
- Darby Bible

But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.
- Webster's Bible

And if you knew what this means, `It is mercy I desire, not sacrifice', you would not have condemned those who are without guilt.
- Weymouth Bible

But if you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless.
- World English Bible

And if ye wisten, what it is, Y wole merci, and not sacrifice, ye schulden neuer haue condempned innocentis.
- Wycliffe Bible

and if ye had known what is: Kindness I will, and not sacrifice -- ye had not condemned the blameless,
- Youngs Literal Bible

Bible commentary

Wesley's Notes for Matthew 12:7


12:7 I will have mercy and not sacrifice - That is, when they interfere with each other, I always prefer acts of mercy, before matters of positive institution: yea, before all ceremonial institutions whatever; because these being only means of religion, are suspended of course, if circumstances occur, wherein they clash with love, which is the end of it. #Matt 9:13|.


People's Bible Notes for Matthew 12:7


Mt 12:7 But if ye had known what [this] meaneth. They ought to have known, for they professed to be interpreters of the law. I will have mercy, and not sacrifice. The argument is that mercy toward these hungering disciples was more acceptable to God than sacrifices at the altar, though sacrifice was the crown of the Jewish rites. The quotation is from Ho 6:6, and is also quoted in Mt 9:13. It shows that all our forms, rites and ceremonies are worthless before God unless we have kind and merciful hearts.

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