Luke 11:42

42 "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!

Luke 11:42 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 11:42

But woe unto you Pharisees
Though these words, with several other passages in this chapter, are much alike with those in Matthew 23 yet it is clear that they were spoken at different times, these in the house of a Pharisee, and they in the temple at Jerusalem:

for ye tithe mint and rue; (See Gill on Matthew 23:23) the Persic version here reads, "mint and anise", as there; and the Ethiopic version only "hyssop":

and all manner of herbs;
or "every herb"; that is, all sorts of herbs that grow in the garden, and were not common to all;

and pass over judgment, and the love of God:
by "judgment" may be meant justice, or doing that which is right between man and man, both publicly and privately, which was greatly neglected by these extortioners and unjust men: and by "the love of God" may be intended, both love to God, which shows itself in the observance of the first table of the law, and love to the neighbour, which God requires, and regards the second table:

these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone;
(See Gill on Matthew 23:23).

Luke 11:42 In-Context

40 Fools! Didn't the One who made the outside make the inside too?
41 Rather, give as alms what is inside, and then everything will be clean for you!
42 "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!
43 "Woe to you P'rushim, because you love the best seat in the synagogues and being greeted deferentially in the marketplaces!
44 "Woe to you, because you are like unmarked graves, which people walk over without knowing it."
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.