Luke 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.”

Context:In Luke 11, Jesus is addressing the Pharisees, who were known for their strict adherence to religious rituals and traditions. In this particular verse, Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for their emphasis on tithing small herbs while neglecting justice and the love of God.

Importance of tithing:Tithing was a practice in the Old Testament where people gave a tenth of their income or produce to support the Levites and the temple. Jesus acknowledges the importance of tithing and affirms that the Pharisees were right in doing so. However, He emphasizes that they should not neglect other essential aspects of the faith.

Outward religiosity vs. inward transformation:Jesus’ rebuke of the Pharisees highlights the danger of focusing solely on external religious observance while neglecting matters of the heart. Tithing was a visible act of religious duty, but Jesus teaches that it should be accompanied by justice and love for God.

Neglecting justice:Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for their failure to administer justice and uphold righteousness. They were meticulous in their tithing, but they overlooked their responsibility to bring about justice and fairness in society. True obedience to God’s commandments involves not only religious rituals but also a commitment to justice and righteousness.

Neglecting the love of God:In addition to justice, Jesus also highlights the Pharisees’ neglect of the love of God. Love for God is at the core of a genuine relationship with Him. The Pharisees’ religious practices were void of a genuine love for God, as their focus was primarily on outward appearances and self-righteousness.

The call for balance:Jesus concludes the verse by saying, “these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.” He does not discount the importance of tithing but emphasizes that justice and the love of God should not be neglected in the process. Jesus calls for a balanced approach to faith, where both external actions and internal attitudes align with God’s desires.