Matthew 12:7

he principle of human need stated in terms of a favourite prophetic oracle (Matthew 9:13). εἰ δὲ ἐγνώκειτε … οὐκ ἂν κατεδικάσατε : the form of expression, a past indicative in protasis, with a past indicative with ἂν in apodosis, implies that the supposition is contrary to fact (Burton, N. T. Moods and Tenses, § 248). The Pharisees did not know what the oracle meant; hence on a previous occasion Jesus bade them go and learn (Matthew 9:13). If their pedantry blinded them to distinctions of higher and lower in institutions, or rather made them reckon the least the greatest command, minutiæ testing obedience, it still more deadened their hearts to the claims of mercy and humanity. Of course this idolatry went on from bad to worse. For the Jews of a later, templeless time, the law was greater than the temple (Holtz., in H.C., quoting Weber). ἀναιτίους : doubly guiltless: as David was through imperious hunger, as the priests were when subordinating Sabbath, to temple, requirements.