# Matthew 12:7

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**Matthew 12:7** is the seventh [verse](/source/Chapters_and_verses_of_the_Bible) in [the twelfth chapter](/source/Matthew_12) of the [Gospel of Matthew](/source/Gospel_of_Matthew) in the [New Testament](/source/New_Testament).

## Content

In the original Greek according to [Westcott-Hort](/source/Westcott-Hort), this verse is:

- Εἰ δὲ ἐγνώκειτε τί ἐστιν, Ἔλεον θέλω καὶ οὐ θυσίαν, οὐκ ἂν κατεδικάσατε τοὺς ἀναιτίους.

In the [King James Version](/source/King_James_Version) of the [Bible](/source/Bible), the text reads:

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

The [New International Version](/source/New_International_Version) translates the passage as:

- If you had known what these words mean, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice', you would not have condemned the innocent.

## Analysis

Jesus here cites [Hosea 6:6](/source/Hosea_6#Verse_6), where [the prophet](/source/Hosea) proclaims that God desires [mercy](/source/Mercy), and not sacrifice, or that God prefers mercy to sacrifice.[1] The [Pharisees](/source/Pharisees) have not properly understood the words of God. John MacEvilly refers to the disciples' "mere material violation of the letter of the law" as excused by their "exercise of mercy to the souls of their brethren, whom they wished to rescue from eternal perdition", and also to the Pharisees' "excessive zeal for the law", which renders them "devoid of all feelings of humanity and benevolence".[1] Thus it is lawful to violate the [Sabbath rest](/source/Sabbath_rest). In his comments on this verse, [Cornelius Cornelii a Lapide](/source/Cornelius_Cornelii_a_Lapide) refers to a saying attributed to [Simeon the Just](/source/Simeon_the_Just), in *[Pirke Aboth](/source/Pirke_Aboth)*, i.e., The sentences of the Fathers, "The world rests upon, and is supported by three things, 1. by the law, 2. by Divine worship, and 3. by mercy."[2]

## Commentary from the Church Fathers

[Chrysostom](/source/Chrysostom): "And because what He had said seemed hard to those that heard it, He again exhorts to mercy, introducing His discourse with emphasis, saying, But had ye known what that meaneth, I will have mercy and not sacrifice, ye would never have condemned the innocent."[3]

[Jerome](/source/Jerome): "What *I will have mercy, and not sacrifice* signifies, we have explained above. The words *Ye would never have condemned the innocent* are to be referred to the Apostles, and the meaning is, If ye allow the mercy of [Achimelech](/source/Ahimelech), in that he refreshed [David](/source/David) when in danger of famishing, why do ye condemn My disciples?"[3]

## References

1. [John MacEvilly](/source/John_McEvilly), [An Exposition of the Gospel of St. Matthew consisting of an analysis of each chapter and of a Commentary critical, exegetical, doctrinal and moral](https://www.ecatholic2000.com/macevilly2/untitled-20.shtml#_Toc385606496), Chapter 12, Dublin, Gill & Son 1879, accessed on 17 July 2024

1. Cornelius Cornelii a Lapide, [The great commentary of Cornelius à Lapide](https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/clc/matthew-12.html) on Matthew 12, Thomas Wimberly Mossman, London: J. Hodges, 1889-1896, accessed on 17 July 2024

1. Thomas Aquinas (ed.). ["Catena aurea: commentary on the four Gospels, collected out of the works of the Fathers: St Matthew, Volume 2, Oxford: Parker, 1874"](https://archive.org/details/CatenaAureaNewEdV2/page/435/mode/2up). p. 435.

## External links

- [Other translations of Matthew 12:7 at BibleHub](http://biblehub.com/matthew/12-7.htm)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Matthew 12:7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_12%3A7) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_12%3A7?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.