Matthew 23:23-24
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Jesus isn't just telling them to prioritize the big things over the small things; he's correcting their entire framework by saying they ought to have done the weightier matters, implying they had a duty that was completely unmet. This isn't about adding a task, but about fulfilling a fundamental obligation they were missing, while still acknowledging the smaller actions shouldn't be abandoned.
“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. You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel!
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is in the midst of a fierce denunciation of the scribes and Pharisees, calling them hypocrites. He's been exposing their outward piety that masks inner corruption, highlighting their focus on minor regulations while ignoring the heart of God's law. This verse continues that condemnation by pointing out their meticulous tithing of tiny herbs, a practice they'd magnified, while neglecting the core principles of justice, mercy, and faithfulness.
Jesus unleashes a 'woe' on the scribes and Pharisees. It's not just a curse, but a declaration of severe grief and divine warning. What makes their actions so deserving of such a strong rebuke?
The 'woe' here isn't just an angry outburst; it's a prophetic judgment. Jesus uses it to highlight a critical spiritual imbalance. The religious leaders were meticulously tithing tiny herbs like mint and cumin – small, almost insignificant things. But in doing so, they were completely missing the heart of God's law. They were neglecting the 'weightier matters':
The Core of the Law:
Jesus isn't saying tithing is bad. He's saying that focusing intensely on these small, external practices while ignoring the internal, character-shaping principles is a dangerous spiritual distortion.
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Jesus says, 'These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.' This sounds like a balancing act. How can we possibly keep everything in perspective?
This phrase is key: 'These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.' Jesus isn't abolishing the smaller commands; he's reordering priorities.
Divine Order:
It's about having the right perspective – not abandoning the details, but ensuring they serve the greater purpose of love for God and neighbor.
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
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.
typhloi hodēgoi · Greek Noun/Adjective phrase
Refers to those who claim to lead others in spiritual matters but are themselves spiritually ignorant or lack true insight into the character and will of God.
The Pharisees' meticulous tithing of even the smallest herbs, while seemingly pious, was a product of intense post-exilic interpretation of the Law. Jesus highlights how this focus on minute details, often for show, led them to neglect the core ethical demands of justice, mercy, and faithfulness, which were central to the Law's purpose.
c. 450 BC
Ezra and Nehemiah return to Jerusalem
Following the Babylonian exile, Ezra and Nehemiah lead efforts to re-establish Jewish law and religious practice in Jerusalem. This period saw a renewed emphasis on meticulous adherence to the Law, including tithing.
c. 200 BC - AD 100
Development of Pharisaic interpretation of the Law
During the Second Temple period, the Pharisees emerged as a prominent religious group, emphasizing strict adherence to the written Law and its oral interpretations. This era saw the development of detailed rules for everyday observance, including tithing of produce.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus' public ministry begins
Jesus begins teaching, healing, and challenging the religious establishment, including the scribes and Pharisees, in Galilee and Judea.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Jesus confronts the Pharisees in Jerusalem
In the final week of His earthly ministry, Jesus directly confronts the scribes and Pharisees in Jerusalem, delivering a series of 'woes' that highlight their hypocrisy and misapplication of the Law.
This parallel passage in Luke records a similar rebuke, emphasizing the Pharisees' neglect of justice and the love of God while meticulously tithing herbs, highlighting the consistent theme of misplaced priorities.
Micah 6:8This Old Testament prophet calls for the same core values Jesus emphasizes: to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God, directly contrasting with the Pharisees' outward religiosity and inner neglect.
1 Samuel 15:22Samuel's rebuke to Saul about obedience being better than sacrifice echoes Jesus' critique; the Pharisees' detailed tithing is like Saul's sacrifice, performed without the heart of obedience and rightful priorities.
Romans 2:21-22Paul's condemnation of those who steal and commit adultery while outwardly appearing religious mirrors the Pharisees' hypocrisy; they meticulously follow some laws while violating others, especially the weightier ones.
Matthew 7:15-20Jesus' warning about false prophets who are known by their fruits connects here; the Pharisees' 'fruits' were not justice, mercy, and faithfulness, revealing their inner corruption despite their outward religious show.
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 just telling them to prioritize the big things over the small things; he's correcting their entire framework by saying they ought to have done the weightier matters, implying they had a duty that was completely unmet. This isn't about adding a task, but about fulfilling a fundamental obligation they were missing, while still acknowledging the smaller actions shouldn't be abandoned.
Jesus is in the midst of a fierce denunciation of the scribes and Pharisees, calling them hypocrites. He's been exposing their outward piety that masks inner corruption, highlighting their focus on minor regulations while ignoring the heart of God's law. This verse continues that condemnation by pointing out their meticulous tithing of tiny herbs, a practice they'd magnified, while neglecting the core principles of justice, mercy, and faithfulness.
Jesus is in the midst of a fierce denunciation of the scribes and Pharisees, calling them hypocrites. He's been exposing their outward piety that masks inner corruption, highlighting their focus on minor regulations while ignoring the heart of God's law. This verse continues that condemnation by pointing out their meticulous tithing of tiny herbs, a practice they'd magnified, while neglecting the core principles of justice, mercy, and faithfulness.
"“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. Yo…" — Jesus isn't just telling them to prioritize the big things over the small things; he's correcting their entire framework by saying they ought to have done the weightier matters, implying they had a…
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Last reviewed October 2026
