Grace and Space

Lk 11:42-46
Leave a good impression: This subsection of Luke’s Gospel is part of a larger section (11:37-54) whose setting is the home of a Pharisee who invited Jesus to dine with him. Here, Luke presents three “woes” against the Pharisees and the first of three woes against the scholars of the law.
The first woe against the Pharisees concerns tithing. The Pharisees pay tithes on mint and rue and every garden herb, but this is a minor matter when compared to justice and the love of God which they neglect. Therefore, while they seem to be observing the word of God, the Pharisees have in fact missed the point of God’s word—justice.
The second woe concerns their love of seats of honor in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces. Here, Luke points out that public recognition does not necessarily mean that someone is observing the word of God. In fact, it may be all outward display meant to impress others.
The third woe declares that the Pharisees are like unmarked graves over which people unknowingly walk. The Pharisees seem to be leading others down the correct road; however, they are really leading other people astray.
The first of three woes against the scholars of the law, experts in the Mosaic law, accuses them of imposing the law on others, while they themselves do not observe it; they are hypocrites.
The woes are aimed at religious leaders who give the impression that they are hearing and observing the word of God but possess no inner attitude that motivates their action. Such hypocrisy, says Luke, cannot be part of the life of Jesus’ disciples.