Matthew 12:7 - An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

If you had [fully] understood what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not [only] sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned someone who was not guilty [of wrongdoing].

More versions

King James Version (Oxford) 1769

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

Amplified Bible - Classic Edition

And if you had only known what this saying means, I desire mercy [readiness to help, to spare, to forgive] rather than sacrifice and sacrificial victims, you would not have condemned the guiltless. [Hos. 6:6; Matt. 9:13.]

American Standard Version (1901)

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

Common English Bible

If you had known what this means, I want mercy and not sacrifice, you wouldn’t have condemned the innocent.

Catholic Public Domain Version

And if you knew what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,' you would never have condemned the innocent.

Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version

And if you knew what this meaneth: I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: you would never have condemned the innocent.

Matthew 12:7 Cross References

Matthew 22:29

But Jesus answered them, “You are mistaken [in your reasoning], not knowing [what] the Scriptures [teach] or [how much] power God has.

Matthew 9:13

Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not [only] sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call righteous people [to be my followers] but sinners.”

Mark 12:33

And that to love Him with all one’s heart, with all one’s understanding, and with all one’s strength, and to love one’s neighbor the same way he loves himself, are far more [important] than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices [in the world].”

Acts 13:27

For the people living in Jerusalem, together with their ruling officials, did not understand [that Jesus was the Messiah] or what the message of the prophets, which is read every Sabbath day, really meant. So, [because of this] they [actually] made these Scripture predictions come true by condemning Jesus.

James 5:6

You have condemned and murdered the righteous man [i.e., the innocent person, See verse 4] and he does not [even] resist you.