Logos Bible Study

Matthew 12:5–7

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5Or haven’t you read in the law that on Sabbath days the priests in the temple violate the Sabbath and are innocent?w 6I tell you that something greater than the temple is here.x 7If you had known what this means, I desire mercy and not sacrifice,Ay you would not have condemned the innocent.

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Cross references

  1. wNm 28:9–10; 1Ch 9:32; Jn 7:22–23
  2. x2Ch 6:18; Mal 3:1; Mt 12:41–42
  3. AHs 6:6
  4. yHs 6:6; Mc 6:8; Mt 9:13

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

Or have you not read in the Law how on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath and are guiltless? I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. And if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

Or haven’t you read in the Law that the priests on Sabbath duty in the temple desecrate the Sabbath and yet are innocent? I tell you that something greater than the temple is here. If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.

NLTNew Living Translation

And haven’t you read in the law of Moses that the priests on duty in the Temple may work on the Sabbath? I tell you, there is one here who is even greater than the Temple! 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.’

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

Or have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple violate the sanctity of the Sabbath and are guiltless? But I tell you that something greater than the temple is here! And if you had known what it means, ‘I want mercy and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless.

KJV 1900King James Version

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? But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple. But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.