Matthew 9:13 - Exposition

The first half of the verse comes in Matthew only . But go ye and learn . A common rabbinic phrase based on the fact that the disputants would not always have the cumbrous rolls of Scripture actually with them. These Pharisees pro-reseed to be students of Scripture, but had not yet learned the principle taught in this passage . What that meaneth, I will have (I desire , Revised Version) mercy, and not sacrifice . Mercy ( ἔλεος ). In the original connexion of this quotation ( Hosea 6:6 ) the words are without doubt an expression of God's desire that his people should show mercy rather than only perform external sacrifices, and this meaning is probably intended by our Lord here also. The connexion will then be either