Matthew 12:7

7. ἔλεος for ἔλεον; in these instances the textus receptus represents an unauthorised change to an easier construction or a more usual grammatical form.

7. εἰ δὲ ἐγνώκειτε. This form of the conditional sentence implies that the action of the protasis did not take place. The Pharisees did not recognise the true meaning of the prophet.

Ἔλεος θέλω καὶ οὐ θυσίαν. Quoted a second time, see ch. Matthew 9:13. There is something more binding than the Law, and that is the principle which underlies the Law. The law rightly understood is the expression of God’s love to man. That love allowed the act of David, and the labour of the priests; ‘Shall it not permit my disciples to satisfy their hunger?’

The MSS. vary between ἔλεος and ἔλεον. In the classics ἔλεος is always masc., in Hellenistic Greek generally neuter, similar instances are πλοῦτος neut. 2 Corinthians 8:2; Philippians 4:19 alibi, and ζῆλος neut. Philippians 3:6 (Lachmann and Tischendorf).