Weightier Matters Of The Law

“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.” (Matthew 23:23)

Woe is a very strong word that expresses great grief. It is used to denounce someone in the strongest possible terms. It should never be taken lightly. Jesus is obviously very upset with the scribes and Pharisees.

Jesus goes on to call them hypocrites. The word hypocrite, or the Greek, “hypokrites” was originally the name for an actor, a stage player. During this time period, it was common for actors to wear a variety of masks during the course of a performance. Each mask would depict a different mood and character. Later the term for actor, or hypocrite was applied to people who presented a false self, or a “mask”, to the world for the appearance of virtue and holiness. This is why Jesus is so upset.

The scribes and Pharisees, the Jewish leaders and religious elite, were taking an easy route. Although they were tithing of their abundance, and no question the proper amount, it was something that in real and practical terms meant nothing to them. This was no sacrifice for these religious leaders, nor a true display of God’s value to them. They probably could have tithed ten times the amount and financially it still would have meant nothing to them. In short, tithing was no biggy.

Jesus explains what we are talking about when He was in the synagogue watching people tithe.

Jesus witnessed a poor widow tithe 2 mites (one mite equals 1/5 of a cent), which was all the money she had. Jesus called His disciples over to Him and said, “That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.” (Mark 12:43-44).

The scribes and Pharisees gave a portion of their abundance. The widow gave God her all. Which do you think demonstrated greater faith and love towards God?

But onto the “weightier matters of the law”. The important things of spirit, obedience, love, holiness, and virtue. The things that God commanded, the way of life as prescribed by the Bible, the scribes and Pharisees had neglected.

As a sidebar, notice the first thing Jesus mentions as one of the “weightier matters of the law”. It is judgment. The same holds true of the Mark telling of the event (Mark 12:43-44). Too many people today still glean onto “Judge not” from Matthew 7:1 and believe that judgment is a bad thing. Without judgment, there can be no discernment of truth. Judgment is vital and necessary. This is not the place for a complete discussion on the subject of judgment, but I would encourage everyone to read and understand Mathew 7:1-5.

“Judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done” and the Mark version of the event adds, “and the love of God”. The scribes and Pharisees failed in their religion. What they did do, tithe required very little of them. But these religious leaders enjoyed all of the praise, admiration, and platitudes that came with their station. And Jesus was very mad about it all.

These events give cause for each of us to judge our self. Are we good Christians? Do we go to church services regularly and tithe from our abundance? But are we leading the life of a Christian? Are we putting on airs as if we are? Do we love God with all of our heart, might, soul, spirit, and strength and love our neighbor as our self?

Are practicing what we preach?

Are we a hypocrite or a child of God?

Bill Hitchcock