No. The wording “to obey is better than sacrifice” is not in the New Testament.
It comes from the Old Testament—1 Samuel 15:22—spoken by the prophet Samuel to King Saul.
Where it appears
The well-known line is an Old Testament statement, recorded in 1 Samuel. It is spoken by the prophet Samuel in response to Saul’s disobedience to God’s command.
1 Samuel 15:22 — “Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.”
What it means
In its setting, Samuel’s words highlight a central priority: God values wholehearted obedience above outward religious offerings. The contrast in the verse (“to obey” and “to listen” versus “sacrifice” and “the fat of rams”) points to the idea that external acts of worship are not a substitute for genuine obedience.
Common confusion
This saying is sometimes assumed to be a New Testament line, but the verse itself is not from the New Testament. It is explicitly from the Old Testament book of 1 Samuel. The important correction is simple: the principle may be echoed elsewhere, yet the quoted sentence belongs to 1 Samuel 15:22.
Echoed elsewhere
Although the exact verse is from 1 Samuel, the same truth is echoed by the prophets and by Jesus: God’s concern is not limited to outward religious offerings, but includes (and prioritizes) wholehearted obedience. Christians commonly recognize this continuity of emphasis, while still locating the specific wording in Samuel’s statement to Saul.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “obedience is better than sacrifice” in the New Testament?
No. The statement commonly quoted as “obedience is better than sacrifice” is an Old Testament saying from 1 Samuel 15:22.
What is the exact verse and wording?
The relevant verse is 1 Samuel 15:22: “Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.”
Who said it, and to whom?
It was spoken by the prophet Samuel to King Saul, after Saul disobeyed God’s command.
What does the saying teach?
It teaches that God values wholehearted obedience above outward religious offerings. In other words, sacrifice is not presented as a replacement for obeying and listening to God.
If it’s not New Testament, why do people connect it with Jesus?
Because the same truth is echoed by the prophets and by Jesus. Even so, the verse itself—with this wording—comes from 1 Samuel in the Old Testament.