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New Life Version
Matthew 12:7
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.
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Concordances:
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- CondensedDevotionals:
- 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.
King James Version
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.
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 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 walked through the grain-fields on the Day of Rest. His followers were hungry and began to pick off grain to eat. 2 The proud religious law-keepers saw this. They said to Jesus, "See! Your followers do what the Law says not to do on the Day of Rest." 3 He said to them, "Have you not read what David did when he and his men were hungry? 4 He went into the house of God and ate the special bread used in worship which was against the Law for him or those with him to eat! Only the Jewish religious leaders were to eat that special bread. 5 Have you not read in the Law how the religious leaders do that which is not right to do on the Day of Rest, and yet they are not guilty? 6 I tell you that Someone greater than the house of God is here. 7 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. 8 For the Son of Man is Lord of the Day of Rest." 9 From there Jesus went into their place of worship. 10 A man was there with a dried-up hand. The proud religious law-keepers asked Jesus, "Does the Law say it is right to heal on the Day of Rest?" They wanted something to say against 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
Then Noah built an altar to the Lord. He took of every clean animal and every clean bird, and gave burnt gifts in worship on the altar.
Then Noah built an altar to the Lord. He took of every clean animal and every clean bird, and gave burnt gifts in worship on the altar.
Genesis 12:8
Then he went from there to the mountain east of Bethel. He put up his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. There he built an altar to the Lord and called upon the name of the Lord.
Then he went from there to the mountain east of Bethel. He put up his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. There he built an altar to the Lord and called upon the name of the Lord.
Genesis 12:9
Then Abram traveled on, still going toward the Negev.
Then Abram traveled on, still going toward the Negev.
Genesis 12:12
When the men of Egypt see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.' And they will kill me, but they will let you live.
When the men of Egypt see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.' And they will kill me, but they will let you live.
Genesis 13:4
where he had made an altar. And there Abram called on the name of the Lord.
where he had made an altar. And there Abram called on the name of the Lord.
Genesis 13:15
For I will give all the land that you see to you and to your children and to your children's children forever.
For I will give all the land that you see to you and to your children and to your children's children forever.
Genesis 13:18
Then Abram moved his tent and came to live among the oaks of Mamre in Hebron. There he built an altar to the Lord.
Then Abram moved his tent and came to live among the oaks of Mamre in Hebron. There he built an altar to the Lord.
Genesis 15:18
The Lord made an agreement with Abram on that day. He said, "I have given this land to your children and to their children's children, from the river of Egypt as far as the big Euphrates River,
The Lord made an agreement with Abram on that day. He said, "I have given this land to your children and to their children's children, from the river of Egypt as far as the big Euphrates River,
Genesis 17:1
When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord came to him and said, "I am God All-powerful. Obey Me, and be without blame.
When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord came to him and said, "I am God All-powerful. Obey Me, and be without blame.
Genesis 17:3
Then Abram fell on his face. God said to him,
Then Abram fell on his face. God said to him,
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.
