When the Pharisees condemn his affiliation with "sinners", Jesus quotes the verse from Hosea to show that he is doing exactly what God desires of him, and that they should indeed do the same if they were to obey the Father's laws as literally as they claim (Matthew 9:13). Jesus applies the words of the prophet to the commandments, showing that they should be obeyed from the viewpoint of mercy rather than sacrifice alone. .

             The same issue arises when the Pharisees criticize Jesus for letting the disciples pluck grain on the Sabbath, while this was against the law of rest on the Sabbath day. Jesus once again views this law as one of mercy rather than oppression. The day of rest, according to God's intention, was implemented to give the people rest after their week's work. This does not mean that all other needs should be ignored. Christ's disciples have the need for food, which takes precedence over their need for rest. The son of God however does not use his own authority to validate this position, but demonstrates the rule of mercy in times of need by using the example of David, who also breaks the law in his time of need. Jesus here shows that God loves people to the extent that he will not allow his law to lead to hardship, even if this means breaking it at times in favor of mercy. In this way, Jesus shows God to be filled with mercy rather than wrath when it comes to fulfilling ritual law. While ritual law is a way to come closer to God, it is not its intention to at the same time drive people away with a rigid and forbidding attitude towards human needs (Mark 2:23-27). .

             Indeed, the Sabbath is a frequent point of conflict between Christ and the religious leaders of his time. On occasion it escalates to include rather major religious issues rather than minor problems such as hunger. Jesus then also uses this as an opportunity to drive home his point about the Sabbath.