Matthew 23:23 Meaning: Jesus on Tithing and the Weightier Matters
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cumin, and have left undone the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faith. But you ought to have done these, and not to have left the other undone.
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: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
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.
`Woe to you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye give tithe of the mint, and the dill, and the cumin, and did neglect the weightier things of the Law--the judgment, and the kindness, and the faith; these it behoved you to do, and those not to neglect.
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye pay tithes of mint and anise and cummin, and ye have left aside the weightier matters of the law, judgment and mercy and faith: these ye ought to have done and not have left those aside.
Meaning in one sentence
Why did Jesus condemn tithing mint and dill while neglecting justice, mercy, and faith? Discover the heart of Matthew 23:23.
Context
This verse lands near the end of Jesus’s public ministry. He is in the temple, speaking directly to the religious leaders who have opposed him at every turn. Matthew 23 collects seven woes, each one exposing a deep gap between what they taught and how they lived. In this particular woe, Jesus points to their scrupulous tithing of tiny garden herbs, mint, dill, and cumin, while they completely ignore the things that actually matter to God: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. The sting is not that they tithe herbs; it is that they use fine attention to small rules as a substitute for the hard work of loving people and trusting God. Jesus adds a surprising twist: they should have done both. But the weight belongs where God placed it.
Key Words
Three Greek words carry the force of this verse. The first is barutera, the comparative of barus, meaning “weighty” or “of great moment.” The matters Jesus names, justice, mercy, faithfulness, are not one option among many. They carry the full weight of God’s own character, heavier than a tenth of cumin seeds. The second word is pistin, often translated “faith.” In this context, most commentators read it as “faithfulness”, the steady reliability that keeps promises and stays loyal to God and neighbour. It is not a feeling but a practised trust that shows up in how you treat people. The third word is aphēkate, from aphiēmi, meaning “to release” or “leave behind.” The Pharisees have deliberately let go of what is heavy and held on to what is light. Jesus calls them to pick up the weight again.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions have read this verse as a call to keep the whole law in right proportion. Catholic interpreters often emphasise that charity is the soul of every commandment, tithing serves the poor, but only if justice and mercy come first. Protestant commentators, from Calvin to Wesley, stress that faith (or faithfulness) is the root from which all good works grow; without it, even tithing herbs becomes empty ritual. Orthodox readers hear an echo of the prophetic tradition: the weighty matters are the very things God requires, as Micah 6:8 says. All agree that Jesus does not abolish tithing but puts it in its proper place. What unites every tradition is the same question: are our religious habits feeding love or hiding it?
A common misunderstanding
A common misreading is to think Jesus dismisses tithing or other external religious practices as worthless. Some use this verse to skip obedience to church discipline, calling it “just mint and cumin.” In fact, Jesus says plainly, “You ought to have done these, and not to have left the other undone.” He upholds both the small and the great. The mistake is treating the verse as permission to neglect one in favour of the other. The correction is clear: the small duties have their place, but they must never crowd out the weightier matters of justice, mercy, and faithfulness.
Living This Out
This week, pay attention to the small religious habits you keep, the routines that make you feel faithful. Now ask: is anyone in my life being hurt while I keep those habits? Is there a relationship where I owe someone fairness or kindness, and I have been putting it off? The verse asks you to keep the small disciplines, but to let the weight of your life fall where God’s heart falls. Today, pick one concrete act of justice or mercy, a conversation you have been avoiding, a debt you can forgive, a person you can really listen to. Let that be the tenth you bring.
Main takeaway: Jesus calls us to practice both the small duties and the great ones, but never let the small ones replace justice, mercy, and faithfulness.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Jesus said it is good to give a little bit of your money to God. But it is even more important to be fair and kind to people, and to trust God. So do both! Be generous and be kind.
For ages 9, 12
Imagine you always tidy your room perfectly and never forget your chores. But at school you ignore a kid who is lonely, or you are mean to your brother. Jesus says keep cleaning your room, but make sure you are fair and kind to people too. Those things matter more. He wants you to do both, but put kindness first.
Questions People Ask
Why did Jesus say 'woe' to the Pharisees for tithing herbs?
Jesus was not against tithing herbs. The problem was their focus on tiny, debatable details while they completely ignored the core of God's law: treating people fairly, showing mercy, and being faithful. The 'woe' is a sorrowful warning against using religion to hide a hard heart.
What are the 'weightier matters of the law' in Matthew 23:23?
Jesus names three: justice (treating others fairly), mercy (kindness toward those who suffer), and faith (or faithfulness, staying loyal to God and keeping your word). These matter more because they reflect God's own character.
Does Matthew 23:23 mean Christians do not need to tithe?
No. Jesus says 'you ought to have done these, and not to have left the other undone.' He affirms tithing while putting it in its proper place. Christians have understood tithing differently across traditions, but this verse does not cancel it, it warns against letting any outward practice replace the weightier matters.
How can I know if I am neglecting justice and mercy for religious routines?
Ask yourself: does my religious life make me kinder, more honest, and more generous? If your spiritual habits leave you harsh toward others or blind to their needs, the priorities have shifted. The verse invites you to check the weight of your life: where is the heaviest part?
What does 'faith' mean in this verse, belief or faithfulness?
Most scholars and translations lean toward 'faithfulness' here. The Greek word 'pistis' can mean both trust and fidelity. In a verse about justice and mercy, the sense is a steady, loyal character that keeps commitments to God and others faithful.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study