Parallel Verses

A Conservative Version

But after going, learn what this means, I desire mercy, and not sacrifice, for I came not to call the righteous, but sinners for repentance.

New American Standard Bible

But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire compassion, and not sacrifice,’ for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

King James Version

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.

Holman Bible

Go and learn what this means: I desire mercy and not sacrifice. For I didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

International Standard Version

Go and learn what this means: "I want mercy and not sacrifice,' because I did not come to call righteous people, but sinners."

American Standard Version

But go ye and learn what this meaneth, I desire mercy, and not sacrifice, for I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.

Amplified

Go and learn what this [Scripture] means: ‘I desire compassion [for those in distress], and not [animal] sacrifice,’ for I did not come to call [to repentance] the [self-proclaimed] righteous [who see no need to change], but sinners [those who recognize their sin and actively seek forgiveness].”

An Understandable Version

Go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy and not [only] sacrifice.' For I did not come to call righteous people [to be my followers] but sinners."

Anderson New Testament

But go and learn what this means: I desire mercy, and not sacrifice. For I came not to call righteous men, but sinners to repentance.

Bible in Basic English

But go and take to heart the sense of these words, My desire is for mercy, not offerings: for I have come not to get the upright, but sinners.

Common New Testament

But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

Daniel Mace New Testament

go then and learn the meaning of that expression, "I will have mercy and not sacrifice:" for I am not come to call saints, but sinners.

Darby Translation

But go and learn what that is I will have mercy and not sacrifice; for I have not come to call righteous men but sinners.

Godbey New Testament

But having gone, learned what this is, I wish mercy and not sacrifice: for I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Goodspeed New Testament

You must go and learn what the saying means, 'It is mercy, not sacrifice, that I care for.' I did not come to invite the pious but the irreligious."

John Wesley New Testament

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.

Julia Smith Translation

And having gone, learn what is this, I wish mercy, and not sacrifice: for I came not to call the just, but the sinful to repentance.

King James 2000

But go and learn what that means, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Lexham Expanded Bible

But go [and] learn what it means, "I want mercy and not sacrifice." For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

Modern King James verseion

But go and learn what this is, I will have mercy and not sacrifice. For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale

Go and learn, what that meaneth: 'I have pleasure in mercy, and not in offering.' For I am not come to call the righteous, but the sinners to repentance."

Moffatt New Testament

Go and learn the meaning of this word, I care for mercy not for sacrifice. For I have not come to call just men but sinners."

Montgomery New Testament

"But go and learn what this means, "It is mercy I desire, and not sacrifice; for I am come not to call just men, but sinners."

NET Bible

Go and learn what this saying means: 'I want mercy and not sacrifice.' For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

New Heart English Bible

But you go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,' for I came not to call the righteous, but sinners."

Noyes New Testament

But go ye and learn what this meaneth: "I desire mercy, and not sacrifice." For I came not to call righteous men, but sinners.

Sawyer New Testament

Go and learn what this means: I wish for mercy and not a sacrifice; for I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.

The Emphasized Bible

But go ye, and learn what this meaneth, - Mercy, I desire, and not, sacrifice; For I came, not to call the righteous, but sinners.

Thomas Haweis New Testament

Go then, and learn what is said, "I require mercy and not sacrifice:" for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Twentieth Century New Testament

Go and learn what this means--'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice'; for I did not come to call the religious, but the outcast."

Webster

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.

Weymouth New Testament

But go and learn what this means, 'It is mercy that I desire, not sacrifice'; for I did not come to appeal to the righteous, but to sinners."

Williams New Testament

Go, learn what this means, 'It is mercy and not sacrifice that I want.' It is not upright but sinful people that I have come to invite."

World English Bible

But you go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,' for I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

Worrell New Testament

But, going, learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice;' for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

Worsley New Testament

"I desire mercy rather than sacrifice:" for I came not to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.

Youngs Literal Translation

but having gone, learn ye what is, Kindness I will, and not sacrifice, for I did not come to call righteous men, but sinners, to reformation.'

Interlinear

English(KJV)
Strong's
Root Form
Definition
Usage
But
δέ 
De 
but, and, now, then, also, yet, yea, so, moreover, nevertheless, for, even, , not tr
Usage: 2184

go ye and
πορεύομαι 
Poreuomai 
go, depart, walk, go way,
Usage: 101

μανθάνω 
manthano 
Usage: 20

τίς 
Tis 
Usage: 344

ἐστί 
Esti 
is, are, was, be, have, not tr, , vr is
Usage: 585

I will have
θέλω ἐθέλω 
thelo 
will/would, will/would have, desire, desirous, list, to will,
Usage: 136

ἔλεος 
Eleos 
Usage: 25

and

and, also, even, both, then, so, likewise, not tr., , vr and
Usage: 0

not
οὐ 
Ou 
οὐ 
Ou 
not, no, cannot ,
not, no, cannot ,
Usage: 1032
Usage: 1032

θυσία 
Thusia 
Usage: 26

for
γάρ 
Gar 
for, , not tr
Usage: 825

I am
ἔρχομαι 
Erchomai 
come, go, , vr come
Usage: 424

ἔρχομαι 
Erchomai 
come, go, , vr come
Usage: 424

to call
καλέω 
Kaleo 
call, bid, be so named, named ,
Usage: 106

the righteous
δίκαιος 
Dikaios 
Usage: 57

but
ἀλλά 
Alla 
but, yea, yet, nevertheless, howbeit, nay, therefore, save, not tr,
Usage: 461

ἁμαρτωλός 
Hamartolos 
Usage: 31

to
εἰς 
Eis 
into, to, unto, for, in, on, toward, against,
Usage: 1267

Context Readings

Matthew Called To Follow Jesus

12 But Jesus having heard it, he said to them, Those who are strong have no need of a physician, but those who fare badly. 13 But after going, learn what this means, I desire mercy, and not sacrifice, for I came not to call the righteous, but sinners for repentance. 14 Then the disciples of John come to him, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast much, but thy disciples fast not?


Cross References

Hosea 6:6

For I desire mercy, and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt-offerings.

Matthew 12:7

But if ye had known what this means, I desire mercy and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the innocent.

Mark 2:17

And when Jesus heard it he says to them, Those who are strong have no need of a physician, but those faring badly. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners for repentance.

Micah 6:6-8

Why shall I come before LORD, and bow myself before the high God? Shall I come before him with burnt-offerings, with calves a year old?

Matthew 3:2

Repent ye, for the kingdom of the heavens has approached.

Luke 5:32

I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.

Proverbs 21:3

To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to LORD than sacrifice.

Isaiah 55:6-7

Seek ye LORD while he may be found. Call ye upon him while he is near.

Matthew 3:8

Therefore produce fruit worthy of repentance.

Matthew 4:17

From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent ye, for the kingdom of the heavens has approached.

Matthew 11:20-21

Then he began to upbraid the cities in which most of his mighty works occurred, because they did not repent.

Matthew 12:3

But he said to them, Have ye not read what David did when he was hungry, he and those with him,

Matthew 12:5

Or have ye not read in the law, that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are guiltless?

Matthew 18:10-13

See that ye not disparage one of these little ones, for I say to you, that in the heavens their agents do always behold the face of my Father in the heavens.

Matthew 19:4

And having answered, he said to them, Have ye not read that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female,

Matthew 21:28-32

But what does it seem to you? A man had two children. And having come to the first, he said, Child, go work today in my vineyard.

Matthew 21:42

Jesus says to them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone that those who build rejected, this came to be in the head of the corner. This happened from Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes?

Matthew 22:31-32

But concerning the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken to you by God, saying,

Mark 12:26

But about the dead, that they rise, have ye not read in the book of Moses, how God spoke to him at the bush, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?

Luke 10:26

And he said to him, What is written in the law? How read thou?

Luke 15:3-10

And he spoke this parable to them, saying,

Luke 19:10

For the Son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost.

Luke 24:47

and to proclaim in his name repentance and remission of sins for all the nations, having begun from Jerusalem.

John 10:34

Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, ye are gods?

Acts 2:38

And Peter said to them, Repent ye, and be immersed each of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 3:19

Repent ye therefore, and be converted in order to wipe away your sins, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.

Acts 5:31

God exalted this man with his right hand, a Pathfinder and a Savior to give repentance to Israel and remission of sins.

Acts 11:18

And when they heard these things, they relaxed and glorified God, saying, Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.

Acts 17:30-31

Indeed therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God now commands for all men everywhere to repent.

Acts 20:21

testifying both to Jews and to Greeks repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus.

Acts 26:18-20

to open their eyes to turn about from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, for them to receive remission of sins and a lot among those who have been sanctified by faith in me.

Romans 2:4-6

Or do thou despise the wealth of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God guides thee to repentance?

Romans 3:10-24

as it is written, There is no righteous man, not even one.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Or know ye not that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not led astray. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate men, nor homosexuals,

1 Timothy 1:13-16

the man who was formerly blasphemous, and a persecutor, and an aggressor. But I obtained mercy because I did it being ignorant in unbelief.

2 Timothy 2:25-26

in mildness correcting those who oppose. Perhaps God may grant them repentance for recognition of the truth,

2 Peter 3:9

The Lord is not slack about his promise, as some regard slackness, but is patient toward us, not wanting any to perish, but all to go forward to repentance.

King James Version Public Domain

Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers.

International Standard Version Copyright © 1996-2008 by the ISV Foundation.

New American Standard Bible Copyright ©1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org

American Standard Version Public Domain

NET Bible copyright © 1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. NetBible

Basic English, produced by Mr C. K. Ogden of the Orthological Institute - public domain