King James Version

What Does Luke 11:42 Mean?

Luke 11:42 in the King James Version says “But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of G... — study this verse from Luke chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

Luke 11:42 · KJV


Context

40

Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also?

41

But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you. of: or, as you are able

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.

43

Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets.

44

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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 (ἀποδεκατοῦτε τὸ ἡδύοσμον καὶ τὸ πήγανον...καὶ παρέρχεσθε τὴν κρίσιν καὶ τὴν ἀγάπην τοῦ θεοῦ)—the first 'woe' (ouai) condemns misplaced priorities. Pharisees meticulously tithed garden herbs (mint, rue, cumin) not required by Torah while parerchomai (bypassing) justice (krisis) and love of God (agapē tou theou). These ought ye to have done—Jesus doesn't abolish tithing but establishes priorities: justice and love are 'weightier matters' (Matthew 23:23).

Scrupulous religious performance without justice and compassion is worthless. This echoes Micah 6:8: 'do justly, love mercy, walk humbly with thy God.' The Pharisees' error wasn't diligence but distortion—majoring in minors while ignoring essentials.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Pharisaic tithe expansion extended Levitical requirements (Leviticus 27:30) to include every garden herb, creating burdensome regulations. This meticulous observance garnered public admiration but obscured Scripture's central commands: justice for the oppressed, mercy toward the poor, and love for God. Their religious system became performance art divorced from righteousness.

Reflection Questions

  1. What religious minutiae consume your energy while you neglect weightier matters of justice, mercy, and love?
  2. How do you determine which biblical commands are central versus peripheral?
  3. In what ways might religious scrupulosity distract from costly obedience in relationships and social justice?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 30 words
ἀλλ'1 of 30

But

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

οὐαὶ2 of 30

woe

G3759

woe

ὑμῖν3 of 30

unto you

G5213

to (with or by) you

τοῖς4 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Φαρισαίοις5 of 30

Pharisees

G5330

a separatist, i.e., exclusively religious; a pharisean, i.e., jewish sectary

ὅτι6 of 30

! for

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

ἀποδεκατοῦτε7 of 30

ye tithe

G586

to tithe (as debtor or creditor)

τὸ8 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἡδύοσμον9 of 30

mint

G2238

a sweet-scented plant, i.e., mint

καὶ10 of 30

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τὸ11 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πήγανον12 of 30

rue

G4076

rue (from its thick or fleshy leaves)

καὶ13 of 30

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

πᾶν14 of 30

all manner

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

λάχανον15 of 30

of herbs

G3001

a vegetable

καὶ16 of 30

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

παρέρχεσθε17 of 30

pass over

G3928

to come near or aside, i.e., to approach (arrive), go by (or away), (figuratively) perish or neglect, (causative) avert

τὴν18 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κρίσιν19 of 30

judgment

G2920

decision (subjectively or objectively, for or against); by extension, a tribunal; by implication, justice (especially, divine law)

καὶ20 of 30

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τὴν21 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀγάπην22 of 30

the love

G26

love, i.e., affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast

τοῦ23 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεοῦ·24 of 30

of God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

ταῦτα25 of 30

these

G5023

these things

ἔδει26 of 30

ought ye

G1163

also deon deh-on'; neuter active participle of the same; both used impersonally; it is (was, etc.) necessary (as binding)

ποιῆσαι27 of 30

to have done

G4160

to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)

κἀκεῖνα28 of 30

the other

G2548

likewise that (or those)

μὴ29 of 30

and not

G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

ἀφιέναι30 of 30

to leave

G863

to send forth, in various applications (as follow)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 11:42 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 11:42 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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