All that God commands is of consequence. Christ recognized the payment of tithes as a duty; but He showed that this could not excuse the neglect of other duties. The Pharisees were very exact in tithing garden herbs, such as mint, anise, and rue; this cost them little, and it gave them a reputation for exactness and sanctity. At the same time their useless restrictions oppressed the people and destroyed respect for the sacred system of God's own appointing. They occupied men's minds with trifling distinctions, and turned their attention from essential truths. The weightier matters of the law, justice, mercy, and truth, were neglected. "These," Christ said, "ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone."

Alt, hvad Gud befaler, har sin betydning. Kristus anerkendte betalingen af tiende som en pligt; men han påviste, at dette ikke kunne undskylde forsømmelse af andre pligter. Farisæerne var meget nøjagtige med at give tiende af haveurter, såsom mynte, dild og rude. Dette kostede dem kun lidt, og det skaffede dem ry for pligtopfyldenhed og fromhed. Samtidig hermed tyngede deres unyttige restriktioner folket og nedbrød agtelsen for det hellige system, som Gud selv havde indstiftet. De beskæftigede menneskers sind med ubetydelige forskelle og bortledte deres opmærksomhed fra de væsentlige sandheder. De forsømte lovens, retfærdighedens, barmhjertighedens og sand hedens mere tungtvejende anliggender. Kristus sagde: "Det ene burde I gøre og ikke forsømme det andet."