See Matthew 23:23.

Rue - This is a small garden plant, and is used as a medicine. It has a rosy flower, a bitter, penetrating taste, and a strong smell.

Ye tithe mint and rue - See on Matthew 23:23 (note).

But woe unto you Pharisees,.... Though these words, with several other passages in this chapter, are much alike with those in Matthew 23 yet it is clear that they were spoken at different times, these in the house of a Pharisee, and they in the temple at Jerusalem:

for ye tithe mint and rue; See Gill on Matthew 23:23 the Persic version here reads, "mint and anise", as there; and the Ethiopic version only "hyssop":

and all manner of herbs; or "every herb"; that is, all sorts of herbs that grow in the garden, and were not common to all;

and pass over judgment, and the love of God: by "judgment" may be meant justice, or doing that which is right between man and man, both publicly and privately, which was greatly neglected by these extortioners and unjust men: and by "the love of God" may be intended, both love to God, which shows itself in the observance of the first table of the law, and love to the neighbour, which God requires, and regards the second table:

these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone; See Gill on Matthew 23:23.

Ye tithe (ἀποδεκατοῦτε)

Tithe is tenth. See on Matthew 23:23.

Rue (τήγανον)

Probably from πήγνυμι, to make fast; because of its thick, fleshy leaves. Matthew has anise. See on Matthew 23:23.

Herb (λάχανον)

See on Mark 4:32. Wyc. has wort, originally the general term for a plant. Hence colewort, liverwort, and similar words. Compare the German wurz, root or herb.

{11} But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye {g} tithe mint and rue and {h} all manner of herbs, and pass over {i} judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

(11) It is the characteristic of hypocrites to stand firmly for little trifles and to let greater matters pass.

(g) You decide by God's law that the tenth part is due to be paid.

(h) Of all types of herbs, some as Augustine expounds it in his Enchiridion to Laurence, chap. 99, where he shows in like manner how that place of Paul,

(God will have all men to be saved), 1Ti 2:4, is to be expounded after the same manner.

(i) That is to say, that which is right and reasonable to do, for this word judgment contains the commandments of the second table, and the other words, the love of God, contain the commandments of the first.

11:42 Ye tithe mint. See PNT Mt 23:23.

11:42 Wo to you - That is, miserable are you. In the same manner is the phrase to be understood throughout the chapter .

42. mint . rue, &c.-rounding on Le 27:30, which they interpreted rigidly. Our Lord purposely names the most trifling products of the earth, as examples of what they punctiliously exacted the tenth of.

judgment and the love of God-in Mt 23:25, "judgment, mercy, and faith." The reference is to Mic 6:6-8, whose third element of all acceptable religion, "walking humbly with God," comprehends both "love" and "faith." (See on [1642]Mr 12:29; [1643]Mr 12:32, 33). The same tendency to merge greater duties in less besets us still, but it is the characteristic of hypocrites.

these ought ye, &c.-There is no need for one set of duties to jostle out another; but of the greater, our Lord says, "Ye ought to have done" them; of the lesser, only "ye ought not to leave them undone."

11:37-54 We should all look to our hearts, that they may be cleansed and new-created; and while we attend to the great things of the law and of the gospel, we must not neglect the smallest matter God has appointed. When any wait to catch something out of our mouths, that they may insnare us, O Lord, give us thy prudence and thy patience, and disappoint their evil purposes. Furnish us with such meekness and patience that we may glory in reproaches, for Christ's sake, and that thy Holy Spirit may rest upon us.