Luke 11:42
What does Luke 11:42 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 11:42 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 11:42 means
Jesus pronounces the first "woe" against the Pharisees, condemning their warped priorities. They meticulously tithe even the smallest herbs like mint and rue, demonstrating outward religious zeal for trivial matters. However, they "pass over justice and the love of God"—the weighty, essential requirements of the law. Jesus affirms that tithing is good, but neglecting justice and love shows a severe spiritual imbalance and a foundational misunderstanding of God's heart.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But woe unto you Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and every herb, and pass over justice and the love of God: but these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But woe unto you Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and every herb, and pass over justice and the love of God: but these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But a curse is on you, Pharisees! for you make men give a tenth of every sort of plant, and give no thought to right and the love of God; but it is right for you to do these things, and not let the others be undone.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`But woe to you, the Pharisees, because ye tithe the mint, and the rue, and every herb, and ye pass by the judgment, and the love of God; these things it behoveth to do, and those not to be neglecting.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But woe to you, Pharisees, because you tithe mint and rue and every herb and pass over judgment and the charity of God. Now these things you ought to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But woe unto you, Pharisees, for ye pay tithes of mint and rue and every herb, and pass by the judgment and the love ofGod: these ye ought to have done, and not have left those aside.
Context
This verse begins the series of "woes" that Jesus pronounces against the Pharisees, directly following His counsel on true inward purity. It highlights their misplaced religious priorities, contrasting trivial obedience with neglect of core divine commands. This establishes a pattern of exposing their hypocrisy, which continues with subsequent woes addressing their love of honor and internal corruption.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Malachi 1:6
A son honoreth his father, and a servant his master: if then I am a father, where is mine honor? and if I am a master, where is my fear? saith Jehovah of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?
- Luke 18:12
I fast twice in the week; I give tithes of all that I get.
- Malachi 2:17
Ye have wearied Jehovah with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? In that ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of Jehovah, and he delighteth in them; or where is the God of justice?
- Matthew 23:23
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye tithe mint and anise and cummin, and have left undone the weightier matters of the law, justice, and mercy, and faith: but these ye ought to have done, and not to have left the other undone.
- Malachi 3:8
Will a man rob God? yet ye rob me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
- 2 Chronicles 31:5
And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel gave in abundance the first-fruits of grain, new wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly.
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