⭐WEB · Matthew 12:7

What does Matthew 12:7 mean?

"But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you wouldn’t have condemned the guiltless."

— Matthew 12:7 (World English Bible)

Surrounding context

4

how he entered into God’s house, and ate the show bread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for those who were with him, but only for the priests?

5

Or have you not read in the law, that on the Sabbath day, the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are guiltless?

6

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

7

But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you wouldn’t have condemned the guiltless.

8

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

9

He departed there, and went into their synagogue.

10

And behold there was a man with a withered hand. They asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath day?” that they might accuse him.

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