Luke 11:42

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G235} woe {G3759} unto you {G5213}, Pharisees {G5330}! for {G3754} ye tithe {G586} mint {G2238} and {G2532} rue {G4076} and {G2532} all manner {G3956} of herbs {G3001}, and {G2532} pass over {G3928} judgment {G2920} and {G2532} the love {G26} of God {G2316}: these {G5023} ought ye {G1163} to have done {G4160}, and not {G3361} to leave {G863} the other {G2548} undone {G863}.

Complete Jewish Bible

“But woe to you P’rushim! You pay your tithes of mint and rue and every garden herb, but you ignore justice and the love of God. You have an obligation to do these things — but without disregarding the others!

Berean Standard Bible

Woe to you Pharisees! You pay tithes of mint, rue, and every herb, but you disregard justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without neglecting the former.

American Standard Version

But woe unto you Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and every herb, and pass over justice and the love of God: but these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Luke 11:42, Jesus delivers a powerful "woe" to the Pharisees, exposing their profound spiritual hypocrisy. While meticulously observing the minor details of tithing on garden herbs, they flagrantly neglected the foundational principles of God's Law: justice and the selfless love for God. Jesus's condemnation underscores the critical importance of spiritual priorities, asserting that while external observances have their place, they must never overshadow the weightier matters of the heart and character that truly reflect divine righteousness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is part of a series of "woes" (Luke 11:37-54) pronounced by Jesus against the Pharisees and legal experts during a meal at a Pharisee's house. Following a dispute about ritual handwashing (Luke 11:37-38) and Jesus's initial rebuke concerning their outward cleanliness versus inward corruption (Luke 11:39-41), this specific woe directly addresses their tithing practices. It sets the stage for further condemnations of their love for prominence, their burdening of others with legalistic demands, and their rejection of God's prophets, culminating in a stark warning of judgment. This section highlights Jesus's consistent challenge to the superficial religiosity of the religious elite, contrasting it with the true spirit of the Kingdom of God.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Pharisees were a prominent Jewish religious and political party in first-century Judea, known for their strict adherence to the Mosaic Law and the extensive oral traditions that had developed around it. Tithing was a biblical command (e.g., [Leviticus 27:30](/leviticus/27-30 "Leviticus 27:30 - Tithing Command")), requiring a tenth of agricultural produce to be given to the Levites and priests. The Pharisees, in their zeal for purity and obedience, extended this practice to even the smallest garden herbs like mint and rue, which were not explicitly mentioned in the Torah as titheable. This meticulousness, while seemingly pious, became a symbol of their legalism. Rue (Greek: _pḗganon_) was a common garden herb, often used for medicinal purposes, while mint (Greek: _hēdýosmon_) was used for seasoning and fragrance. Jesus's critique was not against tithing itself, but against the misplaced emphasis that allowed such minor observances to overshadow the profound ethical and spiritual demands of the Law.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 11:42 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Luke's Gospel. Foremost is the theme of **Hypocrisy**, as Jesus unmasks the Pharisees' outward show of piety that conceals an inward spiritual emptiness. Their meticulous tithing of trifles stands in stark contrast to their neglect of "judgment and the love of God," revealing a profound **Misplaced Priorities**. This echoes Jesus's similar teaching in [Matthew 23:23](/matthew/23-23 "Matthew 23:23 - Woe to the Scribes and Pharisees"), emphasizing that while "these ought ye to have done," the "weightier matters of the law" are paramount. The verse also underscores the theme of **True Righteousness**, which, for Jesus, is not merely about external adherence to rules but about an internal transformation that produces justice, mercy, and genuine love for God and neighbor. This holistic righteousness is a recurring demand throughout Jesus's ministry, as seen in His teaching on the [Sermon on the Plain](/luke/6-17-49 "Luke 6:17-49 - The Sermon on the Plain").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Woe (Greek, _ouaí'_):** This is a powerful exclamation of grief, sorrow, and impending judgment. It is not merely an expression of pity, but a prophetic declaration of the dire consequences awaiting those who persist in spiritual rebellion or hypocrisy. In this context, it signals divine disapproval and a warning of the spiritual bankruptcy that results from their actions.
* **Love (Greek, _agápē'_):** This term denotes a selfless, unconditional, and benevolent love, distinct from mere affection or desire. In the phrase "love of God," it refers both to humanity's love for God and, by extension, the love that flows from God and is to be demonstrated towards others. It represents the very essence of God's character and the foundational principle of the Law, encompassing compassion, mercy, and self-sacrifice.
* **Ought (Greek, _deî'_):** Used impersonally, this verb conveys a sense of necessity, obligation, or what is fitting and proper. It indicates a divine imperative—something that is morally binding and required. When Jesus states "these ought ye to have done," He is not merely suggesting a preference but declaring a fundamental spiritual and ethical requirement that the Pharisees had failed to meet.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But woe unto you, Pharisees!"**: Jesus begins with a stark declaration of judgment, directly addressing the Pharisees. The "woe" (Greek: _ouaí_) signifies deep sorrow, condemnation, and a pronouncement of divine displeasure and impending spiritual consequences for their actions and attitudes. It highlights their spiritual blindness and misdirection.
* **"for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs,"**: This clause describes the Pharisees' meticulous, even excessive, adherence to the letter of the law regarding tithing. Mint and rue were small, common garden herbs, not typically considered significant agricultural produce for tithing. Their scrupulous tithing of these minor items demonstrates their extreme legalism and their focus on external, visible acts of piety, often beyond what was explicitly required by the Mosaic Law.
* **"and pass over judgment and the love of God:"**: This is the core of Jesus's indictment. The phrase "pass over" (Greek: _parérchomai_) implies neglecting, overlooking, or failing to uphold. The Pharisees, while fastidious in minor observances, entirely bypassed the "weightier matters" of the Law: "judgment" (justice, righteousness, fairness in dealing with others) and "the love of God" (the supreme command to love God with all one's being, which naturally extends to loving one's neighbor). This reveals their profound spiritual imbalance and hypocrisy.
* **"these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone."**: Jesus clarifies that He is not condemning tithing or other forms of obedience in themselves. Rather, He emphasizes that both the "weightier matters" (justice and love) and the "other" (the minor observances like tithing) are important. However, the former are paramount and must not be neglected for the sake of the latter. True righteousness encompasses both the spirit and the letter of the Law, with the internal principles of love and justice taking precedence.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 11:42 is rich with **Contrast**, serving as the primary literary device. Jesus starkly contrasts the Pharisees' meticulous attention to trivial religious duties ("tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs") with their egregious neglect of fundamental moral and spiritual imperatives ("pass over judgment and the love of God"). This **Antithesis** highlights their spiritual distortion and misplaced priorities. The use of "woe" (Greek: _ouaí_) functions as a **Woe Oracle** or **Prophetic Denunciation**, a common biblical form of expressing divine judgment and sorrow over sin. Furthermore, there is an element of **Irony** in the Pharisees' actions: in their zealous pursuit of righteousness, they ironically demonstrate their unrighteousness by missing the very heart of God's Law. The mention of specific, small herbs like "mint and rue" also serves as **Specific Detail** or **Synecdoche**, representing the entire realm of minor legalistic observances that the Pharisees elevated above true piety.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly articulates the New Testament emphasis on the spirit of the law over its mere letter, and the priority of internal transformation over external ritualism. Jesus consistently taught that true righteousness flows from a heart devoted to God, manifesting in love for God and neighbor, and a commitment to justice. The Pharisees' error was not in their obedience to tithing, but in allowing the form to eclipse the substance, thus missing the very heart of God's commands. This principle resonates throughout Scripture, calling believers to a holistic faith that integrates outward actions with inward character, ensuring that love and justice remain the supreme expressions of devotion.

* [Matthew 23:23](/matthew/23-23 "Matthew 23:23 - The Weightier Matters of the Law")
* [Micah 6:8](/micah/6-8 "Micah 6:8 - What the Lord Requires")
* [Deuteronomy 10:12-13](/deuteronomy/10-12-13 "Deuteronomy 10:12-13 - Fear, Love, and Obey God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 11:42 serves as a timeless mirror for all who claim to follow God, urging a profound self-examination of our spiritual priorities. It challenges us to honestly assess whether our religious practices, church attendance, or doctrinal adherence are truly rooted in a genuine love for God and a fervent pursuit of justice and compassion for others, or if they have become ends in themselves, overshadowing the "weightier matters" of faith. Are we meticulously tithing our "mint and rue" – perhaps in areas of minor spiritual disciplines or outward appearances – while neglecting the "judgment and the love of God" in our relationships, our communities, or our personal character? This verse reminds us that while obedience to God's commands is vital, it must always be animated by a heart transformed by divine love, seeking to embody His character in all aspects of life. True devotion is not a checklist of external behaviors but a holistic commitment that prioritizes love, justice, and mercy above all else, ensuring that our actions flow from a genuine, Spirit-filled heart.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my spiritual life might I be focusing on external observances while neglecting the deeper principles of love and justice?**
* **How can I ensure that my religious practices are an overflow of genuine love for God and neighbor, rather than a performance or a legalistic duty?**
* **What practical steps can I take this week to prioritize "judgment and the love of God" in my daily interactions and decisions?**

### FAQ
**Was Jesus condemning tithing itself in Luke 11:42?**

Answer: No, Jesus was not condemning tithing itself. Tithing was a commanded practice in the Old Testament, designed to support the Levites and the temple worship (e.g., [Numbers 18:21](/numbers/18-21 "Numbers 18:21 - The Priests' Portion")). Jesus explicitly states, "these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone." His condemnation was directed at the Pharisees' misplaced priorities. They meticulously observed the minor details of tithing, even on insignificant garden herbs, while neglecting the far more crucial ethical and spiritual demands of the Law: justice and the love of God. The issue was their hypocrisy and spiritual imbalance, not the act of tithing.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 11:42 finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in the person and ministry of Jesus Christ. He is the embodiment of the very "judgment and the love of God" that the Pharisees neglected. Jesus perfectly fulfilled the Law, not by meticulously observing its external minutiae while ignoring its spirit, but by living a life entirely defined by selfless love for God and humanity, and by embodying perfect justice. His teachings, like the [Sermon on the Mount](/matthew/5 "Matthew 5 - The Sermon on the Mount"), consistently elevated the internal disposition of the heart above mere outward conformity, demonstrating that true righteousness originates from within. Furthermore, Jesus's ultimate act of love and justice was His atoning sacrifice on the cross, where He, the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), bore the judgment for humanity's sin, demonstrating God's profound love and righteous demand for justice. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Christ provides the means for believers to truly live out "judgment and the love of God," not by legalistic striving, but by the power of the Holy Spirit who enables us to walk in His ways and reflect His character, as seen in the call to love one another in [John 13:34-35](/john/13-34-35 "John 13:34-35 - A New Commandment").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 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.

Luke 18:12

I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

Proverbs 21:3

¶ To do justice and judgment [is] more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

Malachi 3:8

Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

1 John 4:20

If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

Deuteronomy 10:12

¶ And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,

Deuteronomy 10:13

To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?