King James Version

Matthew 12:7

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

Study

Greek

Tap a word to see its meaning.

The KJV’s Greek text (Textus Receptus) does not include “mercy” (ἔλεος) before I desire here. The KJV’s Greek text (Textus Receptus) adds “mercy” (Ἔλεον) before I desire here.

εἰeiifεἰconjunction — “if”G1487if.ifδὲdebutδέconjunction — “but”G1161a weak adversative particle, generally placed second in its clause; but, on the other hand, and.This verse uses “but”.ἐγνώκειτεegnōkeiteye had knownγινώσκω (ginōskō)verb, pluperfect active indicative, 2nd person plural — “ye had known”, a completed action before another past momentG1097I am taking in knowledge, come to know, learn; aor: I ascertained, realized.ye had knownτίtiwhatτίς (tis)interrogative or indefinite pronoun, nominative, singular, neuter — “what”, the subject formG5101who, which, what, why.This verse uses “what”.whatἐστινestinthis meanethεἰμί (eimi)verb, present active indicative, 3rd person singular — “this meaneth”, an ongoing or repeated actionG1510I am, exist.this meanethἜλεοςeleosmercyἔλεοςnoun, accusative, singular, neuter — “mercy”, the object formG1656pity, mercy, compassion.This verse uses “mercy”.mercyθέλωthelōto willθέλωverb, present active indicative, 1st person singular — “to will”, an ongoing or repeated actionG2309I will, wish, desire, am willing, intend, design.This verse uses “will”.καὶkaiandκαίconjunction — “and”G2532and, even, also, namely.This verse uses “and”.andοὐounotοὐadverb — “not”G3756no, not.notθυσίανthusiansacrificeθυσία (thusia)noun, accusative, singular, feminine — “sacrifice”, the object formG2378abstr. and concr: sacrifice; a sacrifice, offering.sacrificeοὐκouknotοὐ (ou)adverb — “not”G3756no, not.notἂνanifἄνparticle — “if”G302an untranslatable word (under the circumstances, in that case, anyhow), the general effect of which is to make a statement contingent, which would otherwise be definite: it is thus regularly used with the subjunctive mood.κατεδικάσατεkatedikasatehave condemnedκαταδικάζω (katadikazō)verb, aorist active indicative, 2nd person plural — “have condemned”, a single actionG2613I condemn, pass sentence upon.have condemnedτοὺςtoustheὁ (ho)article, accusative, plural, masculine — “the”, the object formG3588the, the definite article.ἀναιτίουςanaitiousguiltlessἀναίτιος (anaitios)adjective, accusative, plural, masculine — “guiltless”, the object formG338guiltless, innocent.the guiltless

Textus Receptus Words Not in the SBL Text

Ἔλεονeleonmercyἔλεος (eleos)noun, accusative, singular, neuter — “mercy”, the object formG1656pity, mercy, compassion.This verse uses “mercy”.

Literal (Young’s Literal Translation)

and if ye had known what is: Kindness I will, and not sacrifice — ye had not condemned the blameless,

Compare Public-Domain Translations

The King James Version remains the text of this page and the canonical URL.

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.

Young’s Literal Translation

and if ye had known what is: Kindness I will, and not sacrifice — ye had not condemned the blameless,

World English Bible

But if you had known what this means , ‘ I desire mercy , and not sacrifice ,’ you wouldn’ t have condemned the guiltless.

Darby Translation

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

Douay-Rheims

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

Quotes

Hosea 6:6 Hosea 6:6 · King James VersionFor I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.Hosea 6:6 · King James VersionOpen the Source
have ye not read
For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.