Luke 11:42 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Woe to the Pharisees who tithe garden herbs but pass over justice and the love of God; both should be done.
What Does Luke 11:42 Mean?
The first woe. The Pharisees tithed with heroic precision -- down to mint, rue, and kitchen herbs -- yet stepped past the law's great matters: justice toward neighbor and love toward God.
Jesus does not mock the tithing; these ought ye to have done. He restores proportion: small faithfulness is good, and it is no substitute for the weightier commands. It is possible to be exact in what costs little and negligent in what costs the heart. The verse asks where our scruples are most alive -- and whether justice and the love of God stand first.
Luke 11:42 in the Original Language
krisis (κρίσις), 'judgment' -- justice; right dealing between persons.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 11:42
What does Luke 11:42 mean?
Woe to the Pharisees who tithe garden herbs but pass over justice and the love of God; both should be done.