Luke 11:42
“But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jesus isn't just saying the Pharisees were too focused on tiny details; he's highlighting their dangerous tendency to prioritize meticulous external rules over the heart of God's law. They were so consumed with counting every tiny herb for their tithes that they completely missed the essence of justice and genuine love for God.
Jesus is dining at a Pharisee's home, and after a meal where he's observed the host's lack of basic hospitality and cleanliness, he begins to pronounce woes on the Pharisees and lawyers. This verse is part of a longer critique where Jesus exposes their hypocrisy, highlighting how they meticulously follow minor laws while ignoring the core commands of justice, mercy, and love for God. He isn't saying they shouldn't practice these outward religious acts, but that their focus is dangerously misplaced.
Jesus calls out the Pharisees for meticulously tithing even the smallest garden herbs. Why such intense focus on tiny details?
The Pharisees had developed an incredibly detailed system of religious observance, extending tithing to even the smallest garden plants like mint and rue. This wasn't necessarily wrong in itself; the Old Testament law did require tithing of produce. However, their obsession with these minute regulations created a warped sense of obedience.
Their error wasn't in the doing of these small acts of tithing, but in the neglecting of far weightier matters. It was a superficial spirituality that could meticulously count herbs while ignoring the core of God's commands.
What did Jesus mean by 'justice' and 'the love of God,' and why were they so crucial?
Jesus contrasts the scrupulous tithing of herbs with two vital, yet neglected, commands: justice and the love of God. These represent the very heart of God's moral law.
Jesus emphasizes that these core principles ought to have been done, implying they are the primary focus, the 'weightier matters' that give context and meaning to all other observances.
Understand the original words
ouai · Greek Interjection
An exclamation of distress, grief, or impending judgment upon those who persist in sinful behavior or hypocrisy.
Pharisaios · Greek Noun
A Jewish religious movement focused on strict adherence to the Law of Moses, including oral traditions and ritual purity.
apodekatoō · Greek Verb
The practice of giving a tenth of one's income or produce to God, prescribed in the Old Testament for the support of the Levites and the poor.
krisis · Greek Noun
The moral obligation to treat others fairly and rightly, reflecting God's own character and requirement for His people.
c. 450 BC
Malachi's Prophecy
The prophet Malachi condemns religious hypocrisy and calls for a return to faithfulness, setting a backdrop for later prophetic critiques of religious leaders.
c. 400 BC - 1 BC
Development of Oral Law
Jewish scribes and rabbis meticulously developed and debated interpretations of the Torah, leading to a complex system of religious observance and legalistic interpretations.
c. 175 BC
Hellenistic Influence
Increased Greek influence and attempts by rulers like Antiochus IV to suppress Jewish religious practices created a context where strict adherence to the Law became a symbol of identity for some groups.
c. 150 BC - AD 70
Rise of the Pharisees
The Pharisee movement gained prominence, emphasizing meticulous observance of both the written and oral Law, and influencing popular piety and religious understanding.
c. AD 28-30— this verse
Jesus' Public Ministry
This passage directly parallels Luke 11:42, also highlighting Jesus' denunciation of the Pharisees for their overemphasis on tithing minor herbs while neglecting the 'weightier matters of the law' like justice, mercy, and faithfulness.
Deuteronomy 14:22This Old Testament passage outlines the original commandment to tithe agricultural produce, providing the foundational law that the Pharisees were exaggerating and misapplying to the smallest herbs.
Micah 6:8This verse powerfully contrasts outward religious observance with true righteousness, echoing Jesus' condemnation of the Pharisees by calling for justice, mercy, and humble walking with God, which were the very things they neglected.
1 Samuel 15:22Samuel's rebuke to Saul for sacrificing animals instead of obeying God emphasizes that obedience and spiritual devotion are far more pleasing to God than mere ritualistic acts, a principle Jesus applies to the Pharisees' tithing.
vincentLuke 11:42: "But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone."
Ye tithe (ἀποδεκατοῦτε)Tithe is tenth. See on Matthew 23:23.Rue (τήγανον)Probably from πήγνυμι, to make fast; because of its thick, fleshy leaves. Matthew has anise. See on Matthew 23:23.Herb (λάχανον)See on Mark 4:32. Wyc. has wort, originally the general term for a plant. Hence colewort, l…
jfbLuke 11:37-54: "And as he spake, a certain Pharisee besought him to dine with him: and he went in, and sat down to meat."
Lu 11:37-54. Denunciation of the Pharisees.
Jesus isn't just saying the Pharisees were too focused on tiny details; he's highlighting their dangerous tendency to prioritize meticulous external rules over the heart of God's law. They were so consumed with counting every tiny herb for their tithes that they completely missed the essence of justice and genuine love for God.
Jesus is dining at a Pharisee's home, and after a meal where he's observed the host's lack of basic hospitality and cleanliness, he begins to pronounce woes on the Pharisees and lawyers. This verse is part of a longer critique where Jesus exposes their hypocrisy, highlighting how they meticulously follow minor laws while ignoring the core commands of justice, mercy, and love for God. He isn't saying they shouldn't practice these outward religious acts, but that their focus is dangerously misplaced.
Jesus is dining at a Pharisee's home, and after a meal where he's observed the host's lack of basic hospitality and cleanliness, he begins to pronounce woes on the Pharisees and lawyers. This verse is part of a longer critique where Jesus exposes their hypocrisy, highlighting how they meticulously follow minor laws while ignoring the core commands of justice, mercy, and love for God. He isn't saying they shouldn't practice these outward religious acts, but that their focus is dangerously misplaced.
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agapē · Greek Noun
The committed, sacrificial affection and loyalty toward God, which is the foundational commandment for all human duty.
Jesus publicly taught, debated, and denounced the religious hypocrisy of the Pharisees and other leaders, particularly regarding their outward show versus inner commitment.
AD 70
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
The Roman destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple marked a major turning point for Judaism, leading to a re-evaluation of religious practices and leadership.
"“But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others." — Jesus isn't just saying the Pharisees were too focused on tiny details; he's highlighting their dangerous tendency to prioritize meticulous external rules over the heart of God's law. They were so…
