7 But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.
7 If you had known what these words mean, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice,'
7 And if you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless.
7 If you had any idea what this Scripture meant - 'I prefer a flexible heart to an inflexible ritual' - you wouldn't be nitpicking like this.
7 But if you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless.
7 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.'
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Matthew 12:7
Commentary on Matthew 12:1-8
(Read Matthew 12:1-8)
Being in the corn-fields, the disciples began to pluck the ears of corn: the law of God allowed it, Deuteronomy 5:14. No law must be understood so as to contradict its own end. And as Christ is the Lord of the sabbath, it is fit the day and the work of it should be dedicated to him.