The phrase For I desire mercy, not sacrifice
(Hosea 6:6a, NKJV) is a rebuke of the Lord to his people who are sick because of their sins (Hosea 5:12–14; Hosea 6:1, Hosea 6:5), aimed at cultivating a sense of guilt among them (Hosea 5:15, Hosea 6:1) so that they will seek his mercy (Hosea 6:2–3, Hosea 6:5b). The steadfast love (ESV) / mercy mentioned in the verse is what the people need to seek from God and to demonstrate themselves.
Jesus’ reference to Hosea 6:6 is found only in Matthew. The Greek word eleos used here means compassion, mercy, or pity, while the original Hebrew word chesed (the word translated into Greek as eleos) also includes love, kindness, and grace. This is the second time that Hosea is cited in Matthew (see Matthew 2:15), but the first citation by Jesus himself.
Through Hosea, God laments that he cannot respond with mercy to the people’s vain sacrifices because they do not see their own guilt. Similarly, the Pharisees do not see that Jesus came to call sinners to God (Matthew 9:13b) and to bring them forgiveness (Matthew 9:2,Matthew 9:6), because they do not acknowledge their own sin.
This phrase that Jesus quotes from Hosea 6:6 (For I desire mercy, not sacrifice
—NKJV) is a proclamation of the Lord concerning his people who are sick because of their sins (Hosea 5:12–14; Hosea 6:1, Hosea 6:5), aimed at cultivating a sense of guilt among them (Hosea 5:15, Hosea 6:1) so that they can proceed to implore him for his mercy (Hosea 6:2–3, Hosea 6:5b). This whole process is a necessary part of the revelation of the Lord’s mercy upon Israel, who thereby come to know God’s goodness. Because the people had been solely focused on adhering to strict sacrifices, the Israelites disregarded both God’s punishing hand as well as his mercy. Yahweh desires to give (mercy) rather than to receive (sacrifices), and wants them to know him for who he is rather than just focusing on learning all the guidelines pertaining to burnt offerings (Hosea 6:6b).1
Jesus’ reference to Hosea 6:6 is found only in the Gospel of Matthew. The Greek word eleos used here means compassion, mercy, or pity, while the original Hebrew word chesed (the word translated into Greek as eleos) also conveys the concepts of love, kindness, and grace. This is the second time that the prophet Hosea is cited in the Gospel of Matthew (see also Matthew 2:15), but the first time he is cited by Jesus himself.2
The Lord himself laments that he will not be able to show mercy to a people who bring sacrifices as long as they fail to realize their own guilt. This is why the Pharisees were blinded to the fact that Jesus came from God to call sinners unto him (Matthew 9:13b) and forgive their sins (Matthew 9:2, Matthew 9:6). They consider themselves to be well-off because they strictly adhere to the sacrifices and the related dietary laws—a misguided self-confidence which alienates them from Jesus and those who eat with him. As such he cannot bestow his mercy on them. They now have to learn that, in accordance with Hosea’s prophecy, they are being judged by God, for strangers are ruling over them, in order to come and seek healing and forgiveness. John the Baptist had prepared people for this, for Jesus came down from heaven to bring forgiveness to a penitent people.3
13 Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”