Understanding Luke 11:42

Verse: 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."

Summary of the Verse

This verse depicts Jesus' condemnation of the Pharisees for their focus on minute religious duties while neglecting the more significant aspects of the law, particularly justice and love. The emphasis on tithing even small herbs illustrates their meticulousness but ultimately highlights their failure to embody the spirit of the law.

Commentary Insights

• Matthew Henry:

  Henry emphasizes that the Pharisees took pride in their outward acts of piety, such as tithing, but were void of genuine love and justice. He warns that religious practices, if not rooted in love and righteousness, become hollow ceremonies. True spirituality is not in rituals but in the heart's disposition towards God and humanity.

• Albert Barnes:

  Barnes points out that the Pharisees' scrupulous attention to minor details like tithing herbs illustrates their legalistic mindset. He clarifies that while adherence to the law is essential, it should not come at the expense of justice and love, which are foundational to the moral law. He suggests that neglecting these aspects can render one's religious observance hypocritical.

• Adam Clarke:

  Clarke interprets this passage as a critique of excessive legalism that disregards essential moral principles. He suggests that Jesus calls attention to their inconsistencies; while they are diligent in minor rituals, they overlook greater virtues that should characterize God’s people, such as mercy and kindness. Clarke also notes the contrast between the ceremonial and moral law.

Cross-References for Luke 11:42

• 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." This parallel emphasizes the same theme of focusing on minor details while ignoring crucial moral responsibilities.
• Micah 6:8: "He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" This verse encapsulates the essence of obedience, focusing on justice and mercy over ritual.
• Romans 2:27: "And shalt not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?" This highlights the connection between outward compliance and genuine legal observance, reinforcing the theme of inner versus outer obedience.
• 1 Samuel 15:22: "And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams." This reaffirms that God values obedience over ritualistic observance.
• James 1:27: "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world." This points to the importance of practical love and care as integral to true religion.
• Luke 18:12: “I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.” This reflects a similar attitude of reliance on self-righteousness through religious practices without true worship or love.
• Isaiah 1:11-17: God expresses disdain for empty rituals without true repentance and social justice, reinforcing Jesus’ call towards a heart of love and justice over ritual.

Thematic Connections to Other Bible Verses

• The Importance of Justice and Mercy:
  • Isaiah 58:6-7
  • Matthew 5:7 - “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.”
• Hypocrisy in Religion:
  • Luke 12:1
  • Mark 7:6-9
• True Worship and Obedience:
  • John 4:24 - “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”

Conclusion

In summary, Luke 11:42 serves as a profound reminder of the balance required in our religious practices: that outward expressions of faith should be accompanied by genuine justice and love. Jesus challenges legalistic attitudes that neglect the heart of God's commandments.