Lectionary Calendar
Saturday, June 7th, 2025
Eve of Pentacost
Eve of Pentacost
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Read the Bible
Geneva Bible
Matthew 12:7
Wherefore if ye knewe what this is, I will haue mercie, and not sacrifice, ye would not haue condemned the innocents.
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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.
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.
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 Iesus went on a Sabbath day through ye corne, & his disciples were an hungred, & bega to plucke ye eares of corne & to eate. 2 And when the Pharises sawe it, they saide vnto him, Beholde, thy disciples doe that which is not lawfull to doe vpon the Sabbath. 3 But he said vnto them, Haue ye not read what Dauid did when he was an hungred, & they that were with him? 4 Howe he entred into ye house of God, and did eate the shewe bread, which was not lawfull for him to eate, neither for them which were with him, but onely for the Priestes? 5 Or haue ye not read in the Lawe, how that on the Sabbath dayes the Priestes in the Temple breake the Sabbath, and are blameles? 6 But I say vnto you, that here is one greater then the Temple. 7 Wherefore if ye knewe what this is, I will haue mercie, and not sacrifice, ye would not haue condemned the innocents. 8 For the sonne of man is Lord, euen of the Sabbath. 9 And he departed thence, and went into their Synagoue: 10 And beholde, there was a man which had his hand dried vp. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawfull to heale vpon a Sabbath day? 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
Then Noah built an altar to the Lord & tooke of euery cleane beast, & of euery cleane foule, and offered burnt offerings vpon the altar.
Then Noah built an altar to the Lord & tooke of euery cleane beast, & of euery cleane foule, and offered burnt offerings vpon the altar.
Genesis 12:8
Afterward remouing thence vnto a moutaine Eastward from Beth-el, he pitched his tent hauing Beth-el on the Westside, & Haai on the East: and there he built an altar vnto the Lord, and called on the Name of the Lord.
Afterward remouing thence vnto a moutaine Eastward from Beth-el, he pitched his tent hauing Beth-el on the Westside, & Haai on the East: and there he built an altar vnto the Lord, and called on the Name of the Lord.
Genesis 12:9
Againe Abram went forth going & iourneying toward the South.
Againe Abram went forth going & iourneying toward the South.
Genesis 12:12
Therefore it will come to passe, that when the Egyptians see thee, they will say, She is his wife: so will they kill me, but they will keepe thee aliue.
Therefore it will come to passe, that when the Egyptians see thee, they will say, She is his wife: so will they kill me, but they will keepe thee aliue.
Genesis 13:4
Vnto the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first: and there Abram called on the Name of the Lord.
Vnto the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first: and there Abram called on the Name of the Lord.
Genesis 13:15
For all the land, which thou seest, will I giue vnto thee and to thy seede for euer,
For all the land, which thou seest, will I giue vnto thee and to thy seede for euer,
Genesis 13:18
Then Abram remoued his tent, and came and dwelled in the plaine of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and builded there an altar vnto ye Lorde.
Then Abram remoued his tent, and came and dwelled in the plaine of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and builded there an altar vnto ye Lorde.
Genesis 15:18
In that same day the Lord made a couenant with Abram, saying, Vnto thy seede haue I giuen this lande, from the riuer of Egypt vnto the great riuer, the riuer Euphrates.
In that same day the Lord made a couenant with Abram, saying, Vnto thy seede haue I giuen this lande, from the riuer of Egypt vnto the great riuer, the riuer Euphrates.
Genesis 17:1
When Abram was ninetie yeere olde and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said vnto him, I am God all sufficient. walke before me, and be thou vpright,
When Abram was ninetie yeere olde and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said vnto him, I am God all sufficient. walke before me, and be thou vpright,
Genesis 17:3
Then Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him, saying,
Then 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.
