“Woe to you…” Matthew 23:23-26 

What is Really Important

Halfway through the chapter, Jesus utters the famous “woes” (laments) against the Pharisees, pointing out that they were concerned with minuscule details of the law, but neglected the fundamental principles:

• Justice: Acting with equity and rectitude.
• Mercy: Showing compassion for one’s neighbor.
• Faithfulness: Maintaining a genuine commitment to God. 

The lesson here is not to get lost in external rules by forgetting love, which is the center of the gospel.