Matthew 23:23
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jesus isn't saying that tithing small herbs is bad, but that this scrupulous attention to tiny details highlights their neglect of the truly weighty matters like justice, mercy, and faithfulness. This careful observance of the minutiae was actually a way to avoid dealing with the more challenging, heart-level commands of God.
Jesus continues his intense critique of the scribes and Pharisees, calling them hypocrites as he denounces their outward religiosity. He highlights their meticulous tithing of tiny garden herbs while completely ignoring the core principles of justice, mercy, and faithfulness that the Law demands. He asserts that these weightier matters should have been their priority, though not at the expense of neglecting the smaller commands.
Jesus calls out the Pharisees for being incredibly meticulous about tithing tiny herbs like mint and cumin. What does this say about their approach to faith?
The scribes and Pharisees were known for their extreme attention to detail in religious observance. In this case, they meticulously tithed even the smallest garden herbs—mint, dill, and cumin. This wasn't necessarily commanded in the same way as tithing grain or livestock, but they took it upon themselves to be hyper-vigilant.
This practice, while appearing devout on the surface, revealed a deep-seated problem: a focus on the appearance of righteousness rather than its substance. They were so concerned with fulfilling every minute aspect of the law, especially those they could control and display, that they missed the heart of God's commands.
While obsessing over herbs, what crucial aspects of God's law did these leaders completely overlook?
Jesus contrasts their scrupulous tithing of herbs with the 'weightier matters of the law': justice, mercy, and faithfulness.
These were the core ethical and relational components of the law, the very heart of what it means to love God and love your neighbor. The Pharisees, however, had bypassed these fundamental principles.
Understand the original words
Ouai · Greek Interjection
An expression of intense grief, sorrow, or a pronouncement of divine judgment upon those whose conduct is contrary to God's will. It signals impending doom or severe rebuke for spiritual failure.
grammateis · Greek Noun
Expert scholars and interpreters of the Mosaic Law in ancient Israel. They were responsible for the preservation and teaching of the Scriptures, but often became legalistic in their application.
Pharisaioi · Greek Noun
A religious and political group in first-century Judaism known for their strict adherence to the Law and the traditions of the elders. They often prioritized external ritual observance over internal spiritual transformation.
hypokritai · Greek Noun
Jesus' condemnation of the Pharisees for tithing herbs while neglecting justice and mercy highlights a historical tension between outward ritual observance and inward ethical conduct that has echoed through religious traditions for centuries.
c. 150 BC - AD 70
Pharisaic Interpretation of the Law
During this period, the Pharisees developed extensive oral traditions and interpretations of Jewish law, emphasizing strict adherence to rituals and outward observances. Their interpretations often extended the letter of the law to minute details, including tithing small herbs.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus' Public Ministry
Jesus traveled throughout Galilee and Judea, teaching, healing, and confronting religious authorities. His ministry often involved challenging the established religious norms and hypocrisy he observed.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Jesus' Confrontation with Pharisees
In the final years of his ministry, Jesus engaged in direct confrontations with the scribes and Pharisees in Jerusalem, culminating in his public pronouncements of 'woe' against their hypocrisy.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Teaching on the Weightier Matters
Jesus delivered teachings, including the woes in Matthew 23, criticizing the Pharisees for their outward displays of piety while neglecting core ethical principles like justice, mercy, and faithfulness.
This passage is a parallel account where Jesus also pronounces a woe on the Pharisees for tithing herbs while neglecting justice and the love of God, highlighting the consistent theme of external observance over internal righteousness.
Micah 6:8This Old Testament prophet calls for justice, mercy, and faithfulness, directly mirroring the 'weightier matters' Jesus emphasizes, showing that this ethical core of God's law was a long-standing emphasis.
James 2:14-17This New Testament passage argues that faith without works is dead, connecting to the Matthew 23:23 theme by showing that genuine faith must manifest in tangible actions of justice and mercy, not just outward rituals.
Matthew 23:25-26Immediately following this verse, Jesus compares the Pharisees to cups cleaned on the outside but full of greed within, reinforcing the critique of their hypocrisy and outward focus versus inner corruption.
Romans 12:1-2This passage calls believers to a 'living sacrifice' of their bodies and to be transformed by the renewing of their minds, presenting a New Testament parallel to prioritizing inner spiritual reality over external performance.
vincentMatthew 23:23: "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone."
Ye Tithe (ἀποδεκατοῦτε)ἀπί, from, δεκατόω, to take a tenth. Tithe is tenth; also in older English, tethe, as tethe hest, the tenth commandment. A tething was a district containing ten families.Mint (ἡδύοσμον)ἡδύς, sweet, ὀσμή, smell…
calvinMatthew 23:23-28: "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone."
- Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you pay tithe of mint, and anise, and cumin and have omitted the more important points of the law, judgment, and mercy, and faith. The latter you ought to have done, and not to have omi…
Jesus isn't saying that tithing small herbs is bad, but that this scrupulous attention to tiny details highlights their neglect of the truly weighty matters like justice, mercy, and faithfulness. This careful observance of the minutiae was actually a way to avoid dealing with the more challenging, heart-level commands of God.
Jesus continues his intense critique of the scribes and Pharisees, calling them hypocrites as he denounces their outward religiosity. He highlights their meticulous tithing of tiny garden herbs while completely ignoring the core principles of justice, mercy, and faithfulness that the Law demands. He asserts that these weightier matters should have been their priority, though not at the expense of neglecting the smaller commands.
Jesus continues his intense critique of the scribes and Pharisees, calling them hypocrites as he denounces their outward religiosity. He highlights their meticulous tithing of tiny garden herbs while completely ignoring the core principles of justice, mercy, and faithfulness that the Law demands. He asserts that these weightier matters should have been their priority, though not at the expense of neglecting the smaller commands.
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Jesus doesn't say to stop tithing herbs altogether. So, what's the real takeaway about how we should live out our faith?
Jesus’ concluding statement is crucial: 'These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.' This isn't a dismissal of the smaller observances, but a powerful reordering of priorities.
The 'weightier matters'—justice, mercy, faithfulness—are not optional extras; they are the essential foundation of true righteousness. They are what God fundamentally requires.
However, Jesus acknowledges that the meticulous observance of the law, even in small things, has its place. The problem arose when the trivial replaced the essential. The scribes and Pharisees had inverted the order, giving their energy to the insignificant while abandoning the profound.
True faith involves a holistic commitment. We are called to honor God in all things, but with a clear understanding of what holds the most weight in His eyes. It's about integrating our outward actions with our inner disposition, letting our pursuit of justice, mercy, and faithfulness shape our entire lives, including our attention to details.
Literally 'actors' who play a part. In the New Testament, it refers to those who pretend to be godly or righteous while their inward reality is hypocritical, deceptive, or lacking true faith.
apodekatoute · Greek Verb
The practice of giving a tenth part of one's produce or income to God. It was a required act of worship and gratitude under the Old Covenant, acknowledging God's ownership of all resources.
krisin · Greek Noun
The standard of righteousness that God requires of His people in their interpersonal relationships. It involves integrity, fairness, and upholding the rights of others according to God's standard.
eleos · Greek Noun
An active compassion, kindness, and 'loving-kindness' (hesed) that extends to others, especially those in need. It reflects the heart of God, who is gracious and compassionate toward His people.
pistin · Greek Noun
Often translated as 'faith' or 'fidelity.' It denotes reliability, trustworthiness, and steadfast loyalty in one's relationship with God and commitment to His Word.
"“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others." — Jesus isn't saying that tithing small herbs is bad, but that this scrupulous attention to tiny details highlights their neglect of the truly weighty matters like justice, mercy, and faithfulness. Thi…
