What does Luke 11:42 mean?

Jesus continues admonishing the Pharisees. He has been invited to dinner but did not ceremonially wash His hands before He ate. Unlike the Pharisees, who do everything to win honor and deference from the people, Jesus does not follow the extra-biblical Oral Law that the scribes developed long after Moses. He is much more interested in actions that are a natural result of a good heart (Luke 11:37–41).

Part of the Mosaic law requires ten percent of one's produce be given to the priests and Levites in return for their service in the temple (Numbers 18:21). The Israelites' observance of this requirement had been uneven throughout their history (Malachi 3:7–10). Yet the Pharisees are very legalistic. Their outward shows of devotion to God mean nothing, however, because they abuse the very people from whom they seek approval. They burden the people with extra laws but do not help them obey (Luke 11:46). They steal the homes of widows (Luke 20:47). And they promise money their parents need to the temple, thus both dishonoring their parents and looking good in front of the priests (Mark 7:9–13).

God has a long history of teaching Israelites that material donations are worthless unless they also give themselves. Sacrifice and offerings, celebrating feasts and prayers, and other religious performances are nothing without a "broken and contrite heart," hands free from violence, and justice for the oppressed (Psalm 51:16–17; Isaiah 1:12–17).

The church needs to remember Jesus' words. Our claims that we are holy and our condemnation of sin in the culture mean nothing if we do not repent of our own sins. Big, elaborate buildings mean nothing if we do not take care of the needy. Fish-shaped stickers on our cars mean nothing if we drive recklessly.

Jesus will remind the disciples of this truth in Matthew 23:23.