ISB ~ Matthew 12 v7

I desire mercy:Quoted from Hos 6:6. Earlier Jesus challenged the Pharisees to study and learn the meaning of this oracle (9:13), and Hosea’s words here complete Jesus’ apologetic against the Pharisees.

His logic proceeds:(1) Mercy is more important than Temple regulations (12:3-4); (2) the Temple laws themselves take precedence over the Sabbath (12:5); (3) therefore, mercy is more important than the Sabbath (CCC 2100).