Matthew 9:13 Meaning and Explanation
“But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jesus sends his critics to learn that God desires mercy over ritual, for he came to call sinners to repentance.
What Does Matthew 9:13 Mean?
Jesus quotes the prophet Hosea, "I will have mercy, and not sacrifice," and tells the Pharisees, the very teachers of Scripture, to go and learn what it means. The words rebuke a religion of careful ritual emptied of compassion for people. He then states his mission with utter clarity: he has come to call sinners to repentance, to a real turning of the heart.
Mercy stands at the very center of what God desires, set above all outward observance, however correct. Jesus came not for those who imagine themselves already righteous and in no need of change, but for those willing to turn and be made new. His table crowded with sinners is therefore no scandal at all; it is the very shape and aim of his saving purpose, mercy seeking out the ones who need it most.
Matthew 9:13 in the Original Language
eleos (ἔλεος), 'mercy' -- compassion that moves to relieve another's misery.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 9:13
What does Matthew 9:13 mean?
Jesus sends his critics to learn that God desires mercy over ritual, for he came to call sinners to repentance.