The Mosaic Law ordains Israel to practice tithing, that is, giving one-tenth of one’s produce (flock, wine, grain, and oil) to support the Levites and the poor (Lv 27:30-33; Dt 14:22-29). The scribes and Pharisees, in their zeal, practice the tithing even of herbs (mint, dill, and cumin).

Jesus, instead, emphasizes the core of the Law—justice, mercy, and faithfulness. These are the qualities that reflect God’s character and heart for his people.

The scribes and Pharisees are bent on external obedience, while Jesus calls for aligning external practices with internal transformation.

In very strong terms, Jesus accuses them of being “blind guides” because they practice extortion (harpagēs) with their exploitative misuse of power, and because of their rapacity (akrasia) in reference to sexual misconduct and intemperance, whereas the real essence of religious and moral integrity is the cleansing of one’s core being from such greed and selfindulgence.

Let us examine our hearts and motives. Are we performing religious duties out of obligation or for show, or are we driven by genuine love for God and others? May we become people of integrity and compassion that reflect justice, mercy, and faithfulness.

Jesus said: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You pay tithes of mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier things of the law: judgment and mercy and fidelity. But these you should have done, without neglecting the others. Blind guides, who strain out the gnat and swallow the camel!

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You cleanse the outside of cup and dish, but inside they are full of plunder and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup, so that the outside also may be clean.