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Matthew 12:7

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But if ye had known what [this] meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.

But {G1161} if {G1487} ye had known {G1097} what {G5101} this meaneth {G2076}, I will have {G2309} mercy {G1656}, and {G2532} not {G3756} sacrifice {G2378}, ye would {G302} not {G3756} have condemned {G2613} the guiltless {G338}.

If you knew what `I want compassion rather than animal-sacrifice' meant, you would not condemn the innocent.

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

But if ye had known what this meaneth, I desire mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.

Commentary

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Hosea 6:6 (29 votes)

    For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

  • Matthew 9:13 (21 votes)

    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.

  • Micah 6:6 (15 votes)

    ¶ 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?

  • Micah 6:8 (15 votes)

    He hath shewed thee, O man, what [is] good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

  • Isaiah 1:11 (10 votes)

    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.

  • Isaiah 1:17 (10 votes)

    Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.

  • Proverbs 17:15 (9 votes)

    ¶ He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both [are] abomination to the LORD.