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Tuesday, April 29th, 2025
the Second Week after Easter
the Second Week after Easter
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King James Version
Matthew 12:7
But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.
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Concordances:
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- EveryParallel Translations
Christian Standard Bible®
If you had known what this means, I desire mercy and not sacrifice,
If you had known what this means, I desire mercy and not sacrifice,
King James Version (1611)
But if yee had knowen what this meaneth, I will haue mercy, and not sacrifice, yee would not haue condemned the guiltlesse.
But if yee had knowen what this meaneth, I will haue mercy, and not sacrifice, yee would not haue condemned the guiltlesse.
English Standard Version
And if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless.
And if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless.
New American Standard Bible
"But if you had known what this means: 'I DESIRE COMPASSION, RATHER THAN SACRIFICE,' you would not have condemned the innocent.
"But if you had known what this means: 'I DESIRE COMPASSION, RATHER THAN SACRIFICE,' you would not have condemned the innocent.
New Century Version
The Scripture says, ‘I want kindness more than I want animal sacrifices.' You don't really know what those words mean. If you understood them, you would not judge those who have done nothing wrong.
The Scripture says, ‘I want kindness more than I want animal sacrifices.' You don't really know what those words mean. If you understood them, you would not judge those who have done nothing wrong.
Amplified Bible
"And if you had only known what this statement means, 'I DESIRE COMPASSION [for those in distress], AND NOT [animal] SACRIFICE,' you would not have condemned the innocent.
"And if you had only known what this statement means, 'I DESIRE COMPASSION [for those in distress], AND NOT [animal] SACRIFICE,' you would not have condemned the innocent.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Wherefore if ye knewe what this is, I will haue mercie, and not sacrifice, ye would not haue condemned the innocents.
Wherefore if ye knewe what this is, I will haue mercie, and not sacrifice, ye would not haue condemned the innocents.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
"But if you had known what this means, 'I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT A SACRIFICE,' you would not have condemned the innocent.
"But if you had known what this means, 'I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT A SACRIFICE,' you would not have condemned the innocent.
Legacy Standard Bible
But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire compassion, and not a sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the innocent.
But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire compassion, and not a sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the innocent.
Berean Standard Bible
If only you had known the meaning of 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the innocent.
If only you had known the meaning of 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the innocent.
Contemporary English Version
Don't you know what the Scriptures mean when they say, "Instead of offering sacrifices to me, I want you to be merciful to others?" If you knew what this means, you would not condemn these innocent disciples of mine.
Don't you know what the Scriptures mean when they say, "Instead of offering sacrifices to me, I want you to be merciful to others?" If you knew what this means, you would not condemn these innocent disciples of mine.
Complete Jewish Bible
If you knew what ‘I want compassion rather than animal-sacrifice' meant, you would not condemn the innocent.
If you knew what ‘I want compassion rather than animal-sacrifice' meant, you would not condemn the innocent.
Darby Translation
But if ye had known what is: I will have mercy and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.
But if ye had known what is: I will have mercy and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.
Easy-to-Read Version
The Scriptures say, ‘I don't want animal sacrifices; I want you to show kindness to people.' You don't really know what that means. If you understood it, you would not judge those who have done nothing wrong.
The Scriptures say, ‘I don't want animal sacrifices; I want you to show kindness to people.' You don't really know what that means. If you understood it, you would not judge those who have done nothing wrong.
George Lamsa Translation
But if you only knew what it means, I want mercy and not sacrifice, you would not condemn those who are blameless.
But if you only knew what it means, I want mercy and not sacrifice, you would not condemn those who are blameless.
Good News Translation
The scripture says, ‘It is kindness that I want, not animal sacrifices.' If you really knew what this means, you would not condemn people who are not guilty;
The scripture says, ‘It is kindness that I want, not animal sacrifices.' If you really knew what this means, you would not condemn people who are not guilty;
Lexham English Bible
And if you had known what it means, ‘I want mercy and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless.
And if you had known what it means, ‘I want mercy and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless.
Literal Translation
But if you had known what this is, "I desire mercy and not sacrifice," you would not have condemned the guiltless. Hos. 6:6
But if you had known what this is, "I desire mercy and not sacrifice," you would not have condemned the guiltless. Hos. 6:6
American Standard Version
But if ye had known what this meaneth, I desire mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.
But if ye had known what this meaneth, I desire mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.
Bible in Basic English
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.
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.
Hebrew Names Version
But if you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless.
But if you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless.
International Standard Version
If you had known what 'I want mercy and not sacrifice'Hosea 6:6">[fn] means, you would not have condemned the innocent.Hosea 6:6; Micah 6:6-8; Matthew 9:13;">[xr]
If you had known what 'I want mercy and not sacrifice'Hosea 6:6">[fn] means, you would not have condemned the innocent.Hosea 6:6; Micah 6:6-8; Matthew 9:13;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
Moreover, if you knew what that (meaneth), " I desire mercy and not a sacrifice," you would not have condemned them who are not faulty.
Moreover, if you knew what that (meaneth), " I desire mercy and not a sacrifice," you would not have condemned them who are not faulty.
Murdock Translation
And if ye had known what that is, I desire mercy, and not sacrifice; ye would not have criminated them who are without fault.
And if ye had known what that is, I desire mercy, and not sacrifice; ye would not have criminated them who are without fault.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Wherfore if ye wist what this meaneth, I will mercie & not sacrifice: ye woulde not haue condempned the giltlesse.
Wherfore if ye wist what this meaneth, I will mercie & not sacrifice: ye woulde not haue condempned the giltlesse.
English Revised Version
But if ye had known what this meaneth, I desire mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.
But if ye had known what this meaneth, I desire mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.
World English Bible
But if you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless.
But if you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
I will have mercy and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.
I will have mercy and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.
Weymouth's New Testament
And if you knew what this means, `It is mercy I desire, not sacrifice', you would not have condemned those who are without guilt.
And if you knew what this means, `It is mercy I desire, not sacrifice', you would not have condemned those who are without guilt.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And if ye wisten, what it is, Y wole merci, and not sacrifice, ye schulden neuer haue condempned innocentis.
And if ye wisten, what it is, Y wole merci, and not sacrifice, ye schulden neuer haue condempned innocentis.
Update Bible Version
But if you had known what this means, I desire mercy, and not sacrifice, you would not have condemned the innocent.
But if you had known what this means, I desire mercy, and not sacrifice, you would not have condemned the innocent.
Webster's Bible Translation
But if ye had known what [this] meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.
But if ye had known what [this] meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.
New English Translation
If you had known what this means: ‘ I want mercy and not sacrifice ,' you would not have condemned the innocent.
If you had known what this means: ‘ I want mercy and not sacrifice ,' you would not have condemned the innocent.
New King James Version
But if you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice,' Hosea 6:6 ">[fn] you would not have condemned the guiltless.
But if you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice,' Hosea 6:6 ">[fn] you would not have condemned the guiltless.
New Living Translation
But you would not have condemned my innocent disciples if you knew the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.'
But you would not have condemned my innocent disciples if you knew the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.'
New Life Bible
If you had understood what the words mean, ‘I want loving-kindness and not a gift to be given,' you would not say a person is guilty who has done no wrong.
If you had understood what the words mean, ‘I want loving-kindness and not a gift to be given,' you would not say a person is guilty who has done no wrong.
New Revised Standard
But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless.
But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
If, however, ye had known what this meaneth - Mercy, I desire, and not, sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the blameless;
If, however, ye had known what this meaneth - Mercy, I desire, and not, sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the blameless;
Douay-Rheims Bible
And if you knew what this meaneth: I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: you would never have condemned the innocent.
And if you knew what this meaneth: I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: you would never have condemned the innocent.
Revised Standard Version
And if you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless.
And if you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Wherfore yf ye had wist what this sayinge meneth: I require mercy and not sacrifice: ye wold never have condened innocetes.
Wherfore yf ye had wist what this sayinge meneth: I require mercy and not sacrifice: ye wold never have condened innocetes.
Young's Literal Translation
and if ye had known what is: Kindness I will, and not sacrifice -- ye had not condemned the blameless,
and if ye had known what is: Kindness I will, and not sacrifice -- ye had not condemned the blameless,
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
But yf ye wyst what this were (I haue pleasure in mercy, and not in offeringe) ye wolde not haue condemned innocentes:
But yf ye wyst what this were (I haue pleasure in mercy, and not in offeringe) ye wolde not haue condemned innocentes:
Mace New Testament (1729)
if ye had known the meaning of that expression, "I will have mercy and not sacrifice," ye would not have condemned the guiltless.
if ye had known the meaning of that expression, "I will have mercy and not sacrifice," ye would not have condemned the guiltless.
Simplified Cowboy Version
Religious hypocrites don't ever understand these words, 'I want a relationship, not a religion'.
Religious hypocrites don't ever understand these words, 'I want a relationship, not a religion'.
Contextual Overview
1 At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn and to eat. 2 But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day. 3 But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him; 4 How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests? 5 Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless? 6 But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple. 7 But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless. 8 For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day. 9 And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue: 10 And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
if: Matthew 9:13, Matthew 22:29, Acts 13:27
I will: That is, I desire, or require mercy, or acts of humanity, rather than sacrifice. Isaiah 1:11-17, Hosea 6:6, Micah 6:6-8
condemned: Job 32:3, Psalms 94:21, Psalms 109:31, Proverbs 17:15, James 5:6
Reciprocal: Joshua 5:5 - they had not 1 Samuel 15:22 - Hath the Lord Psalms 40:6 - Sacrifice Matthew 22:31 - have Matthew 23:23 - the weightier Mark 12:33 - is more
Cross-References
Genesis 8:20
And Noah builded an altar unto the Lord ; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.
And Noah builded an altar unto the Lord ; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.
Genesis 12:8
And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the Lord , and called upon the name of the Lord .
And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the Lord , and called upon the name of the Lord .
Genesis 12:9
And Abram journeyed, going on still toward the south.
And Abram journeyed, going on still toward the south.
Genesis 12:12
Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they shall say, This is his wife: and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive.
Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they shall say, This is his wife: and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive.
Genesis 13:4
Unto the place of the altar, which he had make there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the Lord .
Unto the place of the altar, which he had make there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the Lord .
Genesis 13:15
For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.
For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.
Genesis 13:18
Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the Lord .
Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the Lord .
Genesis 15:18
In the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:
In the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:
Genesis 17:1
And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.
And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.
Genesis 17:3
And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,
And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,
Gill's Notes on the Bible
But if ye had known what this meaneth, c,] The passage of Scripture in Hosea 6:6
I will have mercy, and not sacrifice of the sense of which,
see Gill "Mt 9:13"
ye would not have condemned the guiltless. Our Lord taxes the Pharisees both with ignorance of the Scriptures, in which they pretended to be very knowing, and took upon them to be the interpreters of; and with inhumanity, for condemning innocent persons, the apostles, for rubbing a few ears of corn, for the refreshment of nature; which they would never have done, had they understood the word, and will of God; who prefers acts of humanity, compassion, and mercy, to the observance of rites and ceremonies; or had they the common affections of human nature, and those bowels of compassion which one man ought to show to another.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
One greater than the temple - Here the Saviour refers to himself, and to his own dignity and power. “I have power over the laws; I can grant to my disciples a dispensation from those laws. An act which I command or permit them to do is therefore right.” This proves that he was divine. None but God can authorize people to do a thing contrary to the divine laws. He refers them again Matthew 12:7 to a passage he had before quoted (See the notes at Matthew 9:13), showing that God preferred acts of righteousness, rather than a precise observance of a ceremonial law.
Mark adds Mark 2:27 “the Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.” That is, the Sabbath was intended for the welfare of man; it was designed to promote his happiness, and not to produce misery by harsh, unfeeling requirements. It is not to be so interpreted as to produce suffering by making the necessary supply of wants unlawful. Man was not made for the Sabbath. Man was created first, and then the Sabbath was appointed for his happiness, Genesis 2:1-3. His necessities, his real comforts and needs, are not to be made to bend to that which was made “for him.” The laws are to be interpreted favorably to his real wants and comforts. This authorizes works only of real necessity, not of imaginary wants, or amusements, or common business and worldly employments.
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse Matthew 12:7. I will have mercy, &c. — See this explained, Matthew 9:13. There are four ways in which positive laws may cease to oblige.
First, by the natural law of necessity.
Secondly, by a particular law, which is superior.
Thirdly, by the law of charity and mercy.
Fourthly, by the dispensation and authority of the Lawgiver.
These cases are all exemplified from Matthew 12:4-8.
