Matthew 9:13

“But go ye and learn what that meaneth, etc.] dmlw ax, “go and learn”, is a phrase used by the Jews f559, when they are about to explain a passage of Scripture, and fetch an argument from the connection of the text. So the phrase ti estin, “what that is”, or “what that meaneth”, is Talmudic, as, yhm, “what is it?” bytkd yam, “what is that which is written?” arq yam, “what is the Scripture?” that is, what is the meaning of it? Our Lord speaks in their own dialect, and tacitly reproves their ignorance of the Scriptures; and instead of finding fault with him, and his conduct, he intimates, it would better become them to endeavour to find out the meaning of that passage in (<280606>Hosea 6:6) “I…”

“But go ye and learn what that meaneth-- (Hos 6:6), I will have mercy, and not sacrifice--that is, the one rather than the other. "Sacrifice," the chief part of the ceremonial law, is here put for a religion of literal adherence to mere rules; while "mercy" expresses such compassion for the fallen as seeks to lift them up. The duty of keeping aloof from the polluted, in the sense of "having no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness," is obvious enough; but to understand this as prohibiting such intercourse with them as is necessary to their recovery, is to abuse it. This was what these pharisaical religionists did, and this is what our Lord here exposes. for I am not come to call…”

“But go ye and learn ... - To reprove them, and to vindicate his own conduct, he appealed to a passage of Scripture with which they ought to have been acquainted: “I will have mercy, and not sacrifice,” Hosea 6:6. This is not a declaration on the part of God that he was opposed to “sacrifices” or “offerings for sin;” for he had appointed and commanded many, and had therefore expressed his approbation of them. It is a Hebrew mode of speaking, and means, “I prefer mercy to sacrifice;” or, “I am more pleased with acts of benevolence and kindness than with a mere external compliance with the duties of religion.” Mercy here means benevolence or kindness toward others. “Sacrifices” were offerings…”

“Go ye and learn - Ye that take upon you to teach others. I will have mercy and not sacrifice - That is, I will have mercy rather than sacrifice. I love acts of mercy better than sacrifice itself. Hos 6:6. Matthew 9:14”

“9:13 I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices: God’s desire is applied to the question of table fellowship with sinners; Jesus’ mercy in eating with sinners contrasts with the Pharisees’ separation from sinners (symbolized as sacrifices). • Jesus revealed the true spiritual condition of the Pharisees, who think they are righteous; they failed to recognize that they were in fact unrighteous and in need of the Messiah’s salvation. See 7:1-5; 8:11-12; 19:30; 20:16; 21:43.”

“go: Mat 12:3, Mat 12:5, Mat 12:7, Mat 19:4, Mat 21:42, Mat 22:31, Mat 22:32; Mar 12:26; Luk 10:26; Joh 10:34 I will: Pro 21:3; Hos 6:6; Mic 6:6-8 to call: Mat 18:11-13; Mar 2:17; Luk 5:32, Luk 15:3-10, Luk 19:10; Rom 3:10-24; Co1 6:9-11; Ti1 1:13-16 but: Mat 3:2, Mat 3:8, Mat 4:17, Mat 11:20, Mat 11:21, Mat 21:28-32; Isa 55:6, Isa 55:7; Luk 15:7, Luk 24:47; Act 2:38, Act 3:19, Act 5:31, Act 11:18, Act 17:30, Act 17:31, Act 20:21, Act 26:18-20; Rom 2:4-6; Ti1 1:15; Ti2 2:25, Ti2 2:26; Pe2 3:9 Matthew 9:14”