mateo-12:7-rvr1960

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 12:1-45

(1) Opposition from his enemies. (a) Conscious and wilful opposition ( Matthew 12:1-37 ). ( α ) As regards the sabbath ( Matthew 12:1-14 ). ( β ) An interlude. The evangelist sees in our Lord's behaviour the fulfilment of Isaiah's prophecy (verses 15-21). ( γ ) The opposition carried to the extreme of accusing him of alliance with Beelzebub. Christ shows the monstrous character of such an accusation, and the absence which it discloses of all spirituality of mind... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 12:1-50

The opposition that our Lord met with read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 12:7

Matthew only. But if ye had known what this meaneth, I wilt have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless (on the quotation, see Matthew 9:13 , note). Had you learned the simple Bible truth that God places the exercise of your moral faculties, particularly those of kindness, above merely external observances, you would not have committed this sin of taking up the position of wrong judges. He traces their error up to its true source, ignorance of the first... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 12:6-7

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... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 12:7-8

Matthew 12:7-8. But if ye had known what that meaneth If ye had known the intent of that scripture, Hosea 6:6, I will have mercy, &c. That is, I always prefer acts of mercy before matters of positive institution, when in any instance they interfere with each other; and even before all ceremonial institutions whatever; because these being only means of religion, are suspended, of course, if circumstances occur wherein they clash with love, which is the end of it: ye would not have... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 12:1-8

34. Picking corn on the Sabbath (Matthew 12:1-8; Mark 2:23-28; Luke 6:1-5)When the Pharisees criticized Jesus’ disciples for picking a few pieces of corn to eat on the Sabbath, Jesus defended his disciples by referring to two examples from the Old Testament. First, when David and his men were very hungry and urgently needed food, they were rightly allowed to eat the holy bread of the tabernacle, which normally only priests were allowed to eat (Matthew 12:1-4; cf. 1 Samuel 21:1-6). Second, even... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 12:7

if, &c. Implying that it was not the fact. See App-118 . Not the same condition as in verses: Matthew 12:11 , Matthew 12:26 , Matthew 12:27 , Matthew 11:28 . had known = were aware of. Gr . ginosko. . meaneth = is. I will = I desire. Greek. thelo. App-102 . Quoted from Hosea 6:6 . mercy = lovingkindness, or grace. guiltless. Greek. anaitios. See note on blameless, Matthew 12:5 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 12:7

But if ye had known what this meaneth, I desire mercy and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.Christ said the disciples were guiltless. Therefore, he was not attempting to justify their conduct on the basis that David had also been guilty of sabbath breaking. Christ's quotation from Hosea 6:6 (See more on this under Matthew 9:13) was a plain reference to the corruption and guilt of the Pharisees, and suggests that a proper attitude of mercy in their hearts would have... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Matthew 12:7

Matthew 12:7. I will have mercy, &c.— I delight in mercy (so θελειν signifies, ch. Matthew 27:43.), more than sacrifice; for this is the Hebrew form of comparison. See the note on ch. Matthew 9:13. Works of mercy, acts of kindness and beneficence, are essential duties, and preferable to all the ceremonial law, named here (from its principal act) sacrifice, when that comes in competition with them. As the sense of so many important scriptures depends upon it, it may be proper to observe,... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Matthew 12:7

7. But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice— (Hosea 6:6; Micah 6:6-8, &c.). See on Matthew 9:13. ye would not have condemned the guiltless—that is, Had ye understood the great principle of all religion, which the Scripture everywhere recognizes—that ceremonial observances must give way before moral duties, and particularly the necessities of nature—ye would have refrained from these captious complaints against men who in this matter are blameless. But our... read more