Luke 11:42 – “Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone.”
Extended Explanation
In this verse, Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for their misplaced priorities. The Pharisees were strict about tithing even the smallest herbs from their gardens, meticulously giving a tenth of everything to follow religious law. But while they were focused on these small details, they neglected the bigger issues—justice and the love of God. Jesus doesn’t condemn them for tithing; in fact, He affirms that it is good to do so. However, He makes it clear that their outward acts of obedience are meaningless if they ignore the weightier matters of the law, such as showing mercy, acting justly, and loving God sincerely.
The “woe” statement is a warning of judgment. It highlights the Pharisees’ hypocrisy—they were so obsessed with the external appearances of righteousness that they failed to address their lack of compassion and love. Jesus is calling them to align their religious practices with the heart of God’s commands, emphasizing that true obedience comes from a life devoted to justice, mercy, and love.
Historical Context
Tithing was an important part of Jewish religious life, commanded in the Law of Moses (Leviticus 27:30-32, Deuteronomy 14:22-29). The Israelites were required to give a tenth of their crops, livestock, and other resources to support the Levites, priests, and those in need. However, by Jesus’ time, the Pharisees had extended this practice to include even the smallest plants and herbs, going beyond what the Law explicitly required.
The Pharisees’ meticulous tithing was meant to show their devotion to God, but it had become more about religious performance than true faithfulness. Meanwhile, they neglected the core values of the Law: treating others justly and loving God wholeheartedly. This imbalance between external practices and internal devotion is what Jesus confronts.
In Jewish thought, justice and love for God were central to living a righteous life. The prophets, particularly Micah and Isaiah, repeatedly warned Israel that external religious rituals were meaningless without genuine obedience to God’s moral commands (Micah 6:8, Isaiah 1:11-17).
Theological Implications
- God values internal devotion over external ritual. Tithing and other religious practices are important, but they are meaningless if they aren’t accompanied by a heart devoted to God’s justice, mercy, and love.
- Obedience to God is holistic. Jesus affirms that the Pharisees were right to tithe but wrong to neglect justice and love. True obedience involves both the small details and the larger moral responsibilities of faith.
- Justice and love are central to God’s character. When believers act justly and love God, they reflect His nature. Neglecting these core values while performing outward rituals is a form of hypocrisy.
- Religious legalism leads to spiritual blindness. The Pharisees were so focused on performing religious duties that they failed to see their lack of compassion and love for others.
This verse warns against the dangers of legalism while emphasizing the importance of a heart that is fully aligned with God’s purposes.
Literary Analysis
The structure of this verse contrasts the Pharisees’ meticulous attention to tithing with their neglect of weightier matters like justice and love. The phrase “you should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone” demonstrates balance—Jesus isn’t rejecting the practice of tithing, but He is prioritizing what matters most.
The “woe” statement carries a tone of warning and sorrow. It’s not just a condemnation; it’s an invitation to repentance. Jesus wants the Pharisees to recognize their spiritual blindness and turn back to God’s true purpose for His people.
The mention of specific herbs (mint, rue, and others) highlights the Pharisees’ extreme focus on minor details. By listing these small items, Jesus emphasizes how they were missing the bigger picture of God’s commands.
Biblical Cross-References
- Micah 6:8 – “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
- Isaiah 1:17 – “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.”
- Matthew 23:23 – A parallel passage where Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for tithing while neglecting justice, mercy, and faithfulness.
- Hosea 6:6 – “For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.”
- James 2:14-17 – Faith without works, particularly works of justice and compassion, is dead.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, this verse is a reminder to examine their priorities. It’s easy to get caught up in religious routines—attending church, reading the Bible, or serving in ministries—without addressing the deeper issues of the heart. While these practices are important, they must be accompanied by a genuine commitment to justice, mercy, and love for God.
This verse challenges believers to live out their faith in practical ways, especially by caring for the poor, the oppressed, and those in need. True discipleship involves both worshiping God and reflecting His love through acts of justice and compassion.
Additionally, this verse warns against legalism. Christians should avoid the trap of thinking that following religious rules automatically makes them righteous. Instead, they should focus on cultivating a heart that loves God and seeks to do His will in every area of life.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God’s love is shown in His concern for justice and mercy. He doesn’t just want people to follow rules—He wants them to reflect His heart by loving others and promoting justice. God’s commands to care for the poor, defend the oppressed, and act justly are rooted in His love for humanity.
God’s love is also evident in Jesus’ rebuke. Although His words may seem harsh, they are meant to lead the Pharisees to repentance. Jesus doesn’t want them to continue in spiritual blindness; He wants them to experience the fullness of life that comes from knowing and loving God.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Jesus is the perfect example of someone who lived out both obedience to God and love for others. He fulfilled every aspect of God’s law, but His obedience was never just about outward appearances. His life was marked by compassion, justice, and sacrificial love.
In John 15:13, Jesus says, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” His ultimate act of love—dying on the cross—demonstrates the heart of God’s commands. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus provides the means for believers to be transformed from the inside out, enabling them to live lives of true righteousness.
Additionally, Jesus’ teaching on justice and love points to His role as the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. He didn’t come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it by embodying its true purpose—love for God and neighbor.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- Are there any areas in your life where you are focusing on religious practices while neglecting justice, mercy, or love?
- How can you balance outward obedience to God’s commands with the inward transformation of the heart?
- In what ways can you show justice and mercy in your daily life, especially toward those in need?
- How does understanding that God prioritizes love and justice change the way you approach your faith?
- How can you follow Jesus’ example of living out both obedience to God and compassion for others?