Texts in Conversation
In Matthew 9, Jesus cites Hosea 6 using the specific Rabbinic phrase “go and learn what this means,” portraying the discussion as a common internal Jewish debate over interpretation and practice.
Share:
2500 BCE
1000+ CE
LXX Hosea 6:6
Septuagint
4 What shall I do to you, Ephraim? What shall I do to you, Judah? whereas your mercy is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew that goes away. 5 Therefore I have mown down your prophets; I have killed them with the word of my mouth: and my judgment shall go forth as the light. 6 For I will have mercy rather than sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than whole burnt offerings.
Date: 100–1 BCE (based on scholarly estimates)
Matthew 9:13
New Testament
10 As Jesus was having a meal in Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with Jesus and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 When Jesus heard this he said, “Those who are healthy don’t need a physician, but those who are sick do. 13 Go and learn what this saying means: ‘I want mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” 14 Then John’s disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples don’t fast?”
Date: 70–90 CE (based on scholarly estimates)
Search:
Notes and References
"... In both instances, Jesus introduces the quotation of Hosea 6:6 with a typical rabbinical formula πορευθέντες δὲ µάθετε τί ἐστιν (Go and learn what this is) (Matthew 9:13) and εἰ δὲ ἐγνώκειτε τί ἐστιν (But if you had known what this is) (Matthew 12:7). The irony of the Pharisees pointing out to Jesus' lack of knowledge or practice of the Law resides in this formula, as Jesus reverses their accusations, suggesting the teachers of the Law's inability to interpret Hosea 6:6 ..."
Irene E. Soquier, Jesus' Midrash of Hosea 6:6a "I Desire Hesed, Not Sacrifice" in the Gospel of Matthew (Alliance Theological Seminary, 2017), 1–35.
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
Your Feedback:
Leave a Comment
Anonymous comments are welcome. All comments are subject to moderation.
User Comments
,