Luke 11:42Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The Pharisees, in their effort to adhere strictly to the law, meticulously tithed even the smallest of items. When criticized for their triviality, they cited the law which mandated that the priests should receive a tithe from everything. Thus, the Lord proclaimed, “As you do not neglect these things, so you ought to do the judgment and the love of God.” Because the Pharisees practiced injustice, oppressing widows and orphans, the Lord emphasized the necessity of “judgment,” meaning justice. They also demonstrated scorn towards God, improperly extending their hands toward sacred obligations. Therefore, the Lord instructs them to embody “the love of God.” For one who truly loves God does not approach their actions carelessly.

Those who diligently uphold the divine commandments never take the risk of offending the Almighty Creator. They understand the essence of the scripture that states, “Whoever keeps the whole law, but transgresses in one thing, becomes guilty of all things.” For the same One who instructed, "Thou shalt not commit adultery," also commanded, "Thou shalt not murder." Therefore, if you do not commit adultery but end up killing, you have broken the law. Thus, violating a single commandment indicates a disregard for the law itself. However, when a person overlooks those commandments that hold greater significance compared to others, what words could possibly spare him from justifiable punishment?

The Lord emphasizes the multitude of transgressions committed by those who focus solely on tithing insignificant herbs, showing no concern for the impending judgment or a genuine love for God. Actions taken without faith are futile! They fail to contemplate judgment and the love of God; judgment, because they do not align their actions with the reality of accountability; and love, because their hearts are not filled with a sincere affection for God. He briefly articulates the ideal of a faithful individual, affirming both faith and actions: Such acts must be performed and not abandoned, ensuring that we do not become mere enthusiasts of faith while disregarding our deeds.

In the fifty-sixth chapter of the Gospel of Matthew, this truth is clearly articulated.

The Lord initiates His admonition to His contemporaries by declaring that they are indifferent to the judgment and love of God. The absence of truth and love serves as the foundation for all discord within society and within each individual. This arises from the dominance of self-interest or egotism. When egotism takes root in the heart, it unleashes a barrage of unruly desires. It assaults truth and love, which demand self-denial, while the resulting passions drive out all other virtues. Such a person becomes, in essence, unfit for anything genuinely good. While one may give a "tithe of mint, rue, and all kinds of herbs,” a deeper commitment often lacks the necessary courage. This is not to say that their outward conduct is unseemly; rather, it may appear polished and respectable.

Orthodoxy expresses the fullness of the Faith. It commands that we should do the one without neglecting the other. It is careful to observe the outward precepts of the Faith, like a man who walks among clay vessels and is careful not to break them.

The Lord addressed them regarding their sinful behaviors. He criticized their focus on outward appearances while ignoring the inner spiritual condition and emphasized that the true way to purify their transgressions was not through physical cleansing, but through acts of charity. He condemned their triviality in giving tithes from their gardens while overlooking the greater moral obligations. He denounced their pride as they sought admiration and honor from others, likening them to decorated graves that people stroll past, oblivious to the fact that they conceal death and risk defiling themselves.

You believe that your salvation comes from maintaining outward cleanliness and meticulously following the traditions and practices handed down by the elders; however, what awaits you is not salvation but despair! Woe to you, Pharisees, for meticulously tithing your herbs such as mint, rue, and other vegetables while overlooking God's justice and love. "These things ought to be done, and these things ought not to be forsaken." As outlined in the Law of Moses (Numbers 18:20-24; Deuteronomy 14:22-29), the Jewish people were required to contribute a tenth of their grain, wine, oil, and every seed-producing crop for the support of the Levites and for sacrificial offerings.

Following the events that transpired, it became clear to everyone that there was no common ground between the Jewish leadership and Christ. With the Pharisees and scribes firmly resolved to eliminate Christ at any cost, it was no longer feasible to approach them with the same leniency as before. It was imperative to publicly confront them, which the Savior accomplished in His final powerful denunciation. Surrounded by the familiar crowd, including scribes and Pharisees, the Savior specifically addressed the latter, uttering words of rebuke that could only provoke an already numbed conscience. “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!” He commenced His denunciation.

“Woe to you,” etc.: refer to the commentary on Matthew 23:23. - "Roots": a plant utilized for both culinary seasoning and medicinal purposes. - “And the love of God”: in the European text of Matthew, “grace and faith,” through which the love of God, meaning love toward God and the love of one's neighbor inherently connected to it (see Theophilus), is affirmed.

The Mosaic Law required a tithe—a tenth of the produce of the earth—for the temple (Lev. 27:30; Deut. 14:22). In contrast, the Pharisees exceeded this by tithing even the most trivial herbs, yet they overlooked essential moral obligations. Consequently, the Lord proclaimed: Woe to you, Pharisees, for you meticulously tithe mint and rue, and every kind of herb, while neglecting justice and the love of God; these you should have done, without leaving the others undone. This hypocrisy was marked by vanity: Woe to you, Pharisees, for you seek the places of honor at banquets and the greetings in the marketplaces. Although they adorned themselves with a facade of righteousness, within them lay a moral decay hard to discern: woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead bones and all uncleanness.