Matthew 9:13
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.
Matthew 9:13
Jesus quotes Hosea: “I will have mercy, and not sacrifice,” and states His mission: “for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” He critiques superficial religiosity that prioritizes ritual above mercy. The call to repentance is central to the gospel; it is not merely moral reform but turning toward God’s mercy demonstrated in Jesus. The phrase “not come to call the righteous” is not a denial of righteousness but a critique of self-righteousness that relies on a show of piety rather than transformation. The reference to mercy over sacrifice echoes the prophetic critique in the Old Testament and signals the continuity of God’s plan—grace precedes and enables obedience.
The verse foregrounds mercy as the organizing principle of God’s kingdom, reshaping how we understand worship. True worship flows from a heart that has encountered mercy and responds with repentance. It ties forgiveness, reconciliation, and mission together: God’s mercy creates a people who live in response to grace by inviting others into repentance and mercy.
Today, examine whether your religious life prioritizes external rituals over internal mercy. If you’re involved in ministry, model mercy over accusation; welcome those who are far from God and invite them into spaces of repentance and renewal. Personal practice might include confessing sins, seeking reconciliation in strained relationships, and cultivating a lifestyle of mercy—as God has shown you.
Cross-References: Hosea 6:6; Micah 6:6–8; Isaiah 58:6–7; Luke 10:25–37; James 2:13