SEV Biblia, Chapter 12:7
Mas si supieseis qué es: Misericordia quiero y no sacrificio, no condenarías a los inocentes:
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Matthew 12:7
Verse 7. I will have mercy, &c.] See this explained, Matthew ix. 13. There are four ways in which positive laws may cease to oblige.
First, by the natural law of necessity.
Secondly, by a particular law, which is superior.
Thirdly, by the law of charity and mercy.
Fourthly, by the dispensation and authority of the Lawgiver.
These cases are all exemplified from ver. 4-8.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 7. But if ye had known what this meaneth , etc.,] The passage of Scripture in (Hos 6:6) I will have mercy, and not sacrifice ; of the sense of which, see Gill “Matthew 9:13” ye would not have condemned the guiltless . Our Lord taxes the Pharisees both with ignorance of the Scriptures, in which they pretended to be very knowing, and took upon them to be the interpreters of; and with inhumanity, for condemning innocent persons, the apostles, for rubbing a few ears of corn, for the refreshment of nature; which they would never have done, had they understood the word, and will of God; who prefers acts of humanity, compassion, and mercy, to the observance of rites and ceremonies; or had they the common affections of human nature, and those bowels of compassion which one man ought to show to another.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-8 - Being in the corn-fields, the disciples began to pluck the ears of corn: the law of God allowed it, De 23:25. This was slender provisio for Christ and his disciples; but they were content with it. The Pharisees did not quarrel with them for taking another man's corn, but for doing it on the sabbath day. Christ came to free his followers, no only from the corruptions of the Pharisees, but from their unscriptura rules, and justified what they did. The greatest shall not have their lusts indulged, but the meanest shall have their wants considered Those labours are lawful on the sabbath day which are necessary, an sabbath rest is to froward, not to hinder sabbath worship. Needfu provision for health and food is to be made; but when servants are kep at home, and families become a scene of hurry and confusion on the Lord's day, to furnish a feast for visitors, or for indulgence, the case is very different. Such things as these, and many others commo among professors, are to be blamed. The resting on the sabbath wa ordained for man's good, De 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.
Greek Textus Receptus
ει 1487 COND δε 1161 CONJ εγνωκειτε 1097 5715 V-LAI-2P τι 5101 I-NSN εστιν 2076 5748 V-PXI-3S ελεον 1656 N-ASM θελω 2309 5719 V-PAI-1S και 2532 CONJ ου 3756 PRT-N θυσιαν 2378 N-ASF ουκ 3756 PRT-N αν 302 PRT κατεδικασατε 2613 5656 V-AAI-2P τους 3588 T-APM αναιτιους 338 A-APM
Robertson's NT Word Studies
12:7 {The guiltless} (tous anaitious). So in verse #5. Common in ancient Greek. No real ground against, it means an + aitios. Jesus quotes #Ho 6:6 here as he did in #Mt 9:13. A pertinent prophecy that had escaped the notice of the sticklers for ceremonial literalness and the letter of the law.
