Jesus isn't just pointing out their misplaced priorities; he's highlighting a dangerous twist where meticulous external practices become a substitute for inner transformation. The Pharisees were so focused on tithing tiny herbs – a detail never explicitly commanded in that way – that they completely missed the heart of God's law: justice and genuine love for God.
“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. Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seat in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces. Woe to you! For you are like unmarked graves, and people walk over them without knowing it.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is speaking directly to the Pharisees, calling out their hypocrisy after a Pharisee invited him to dinner. He's already condemned their outward show of piety that masks inner corruption, and this verse continues that intense critique. He’s showing them that their meticulous adherence to minor rules, like tithing tiny herbs, completely overshadows their neglect of the weightier matters of God's law.
Jesus calls out the Pharisees for being meticulous about the small stuff while completely missing the big picture. Ever felt caught in the weeds, forgetting what truly matters?
Jesus highlights a critical imbalance in the Pharisees' spiritual lives.
Obsessed with the Small:
They were so focused on tithing every tiny herb – mint, rue, and every other garden plant – that they treated even the smallest of commands with exaggerated care. The commentaries show this detail-oriented approach had reached extreme levels, with discussions on whether to tithe the seeds and the stalks of herbs! It was a hyper-literal observance of the ceremonial law.
Neglecting the Weighty:
But in their scrupulous attention to herbs, they completely overlooked "justice" and "the love of God." These weren't minor points; they were the heart of the law. "Justice" refers to right dealings between people, fairness, and integrity. "Love of God" encompasses devotion and obedience to God's will, which naturally flows into loving others.
The Right Order:
Jesus doesn't say they should stop tithing herbs. He says, "These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others." The problem wasn't the small obedience, but the neglect of the foundational commands that should have guided all their obedience.
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Jesus pronounces a strong "Woe!" This isn't just a scolding; it's a declaration of severe spiritual consequence. What makes a religious life lead to sorrow instead of salvation?
The "woe" (ouai) Jesus uses is a powerful prophetic cry, signaling a declaration of judgment or deep sorrow over a state of being.
A Judgment on Priorities:
For the Pharisees, their "woe" stemmed from a fundamental misordering of their spiritual lives. By prioritizing the external, the visible, and the meticulously measurable (like tithing herbs), over the internal and relational (justice and love of God), they revealed a hollow faith. Their outward actions were a performance that masked an inner emptiness.
The Danger of Self-Deception:
The commentaries point out that the Pharisees were often filled with "immoral contempt" for others, seeing themselves as more righteous. This self-deception is a hallmark of the hypocrisy Jesus condemns. They were so convinced of their own righteousness based on their strict observance of minor laws that they couldn't see their profound failure in the core demands of God's character.
A Warning for Us:
This "woe" serves as a stark warning. A faith that is all about outward show, meticulous rule-following without a transformed heart, and a neglect of genuine love for God and neighbor, leads not to blessing, but to spiritual ruin. True righteousness isn't about performing rituals perfectly; it's about cultivating a heart that loves God and reflects His justice and mercy in all dealings.
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.
agapē · Greek Noun
The committed, sacrificial affection and loyalty toward God, which is the foundational commandment for all human duty.
synagōgē · Greek Noun
Places of Jewish assembly for prayer, reading of the Scriptures, and teaching, central to community life.
agora · Greek Noun
A place of public meeting, commerce, and social gathering, representing the center of societal interaction.
mnēmeion · Greek Noun
A place of burial; symbolically, a source of ritual impurity or a place of spiritual death hidden beneath a deceptive exterior.
Jesus' sharp rebuke of the Pharisees' overemphasis on minor rules while ignoring justice and God's love directly addresses a tension present in the development of Jewish law, where meticulous observance of the Law had, for some, overshadowed its spirit.
c. 150 BC - AD 70
Pharisaic Movement Flourishes
During this period, the Pharisees gained significant influence in Judean society. They emphasized strict adherence to both the written Law and oral traditions, including meticulous tithing practices.
c. 30-33 AD— this verse
Jesus' Ministry and Teachings
Jesus traveled throughout Galilee and Judea, teaching, healing, and engaging in public debates, particularly with the Pharisees and other religious leaders. His interactions often highlighted perceived hypocrisy and misinterpretations of God's law.
c. 30-33 AD
Jesus Denounces Pharisees' Hypocrisy
In various encounters, including a meal at a Pharisee's house, Jesus directly confronts the Pharisees' outward piety and their neglect of core ethical and spiritual principles like justice and love for God.
c. 70 AD
Destruction of the Second Temple
The Roman destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem marked a pivotal moment, leading to the demise of the Sadducees and a shift in Jewish religious leadership, further solidifying the influence of Rabbinic Judaism, which had roots in Pharisaic thought.
This passage directly parallels Jesus' condemnation, contrasting the Pharisees' meticulous tithing of small herbs with their neglect of the 'weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness.'
Deuteronomy 14:22This Old Testament law established the practice of tithing, providing the foundation for the Pharisees' meticulous, though ultimately misplaced, observance with herbs.
Micah 6:8This verse beautifully summarizes what the Pharisees neglected: 'to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God,' highlighting the heart of true righteousness over outward ritual.
1 Samuel 15:22Similar to Saul's misguided sacrifice, the Pharisees' exaggerated focus on minor rules demonstrated a failure to grasp that obedience and love for God are far more significant than ritualistic details.
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 pointing out their misplaced priorities; he's highlighting a dangerous twist where meticulous external practices become a substitute for inner transformation. The Pharisees were so focused on tithing tiny herbs – a detail never explicitly commanded in that way – that they completely missed the heart of God's law: justice and genuine love for God.
Jesus is speaking directly to the Pharisees, calling out their hypocrisy after a Pharisee invited him to dinner. He's already condemned their outward show of piety that masks inner corruption, and this verse continues that intense critique. He’s showing them that their meticulous adherence to minor rules, like tithing tiny herbs, completely overshadows their neglect of the weightier matters of God's law.
Jesus is speaking directly to the Pharisees, calling out their hypocrisy after a Pharisee invited him to dinner. He's already condemned their outward show of piety that masks inner corruption, and this verse continues that intense critique. He’s showing them that their meticulous adherence to minor rules, like tithing tiny herbs, completely overshadows their neglect of the weightier matters of God's law.
"“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. Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seat in the synagogues…" — Jesus isn't just pointing out their misplaced priorities; he's highlighting a dangerous twist where meticulous external practices become a substitute for inner transformation. The Pharisees were so f…
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Last reviewed October 2026
