What did Jesus say are the weightier matters of the law?

In Matthew 23:23 Jesus named them 'judgment, mercy, and faith,' rebuking those who tithed their garden herbs but neglected justice and mercy. He said they should have done the small things without leaving the greater undone.

What does Micah 6:8 have to do with the Kingdom of God?

Micah 6:8 sums up what God requires: 'to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.' Jesus echoed this, teaching that the Kingdom's righteousness is about mercy and justice from the heart, not mere rule-keeping.

Does the Kingdom of God care about justice?

Yes. Jesus put justice and mercy at the centre of true religion (Matthew 23:23) and said, 'I will have mercy, and not sacrifice' (Matthew 9:13). God's reign brings right relationships, care for the vulnerable, and mercy that mirrors his own.

The Kingdom of God

Justice and Mercy

Jesus reserved his sharpest words for religion that counted coins and forgot people. The weightier matters, he said, are ‘judgment, mercy, and faith.’ He was echoing the prophet Micah: to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God. The righteousness of the Kingdom is never cold rule-keeping; it is a heart that does right by others and delights to show mercy.

What Jesus said

“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.”

Matthew 23:23

“But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

Matthew 9:13

“He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”

Micah 6:8

A reflection

It is possible to be scrupulous and still miss the point. The Pharisees measured out their herbs to the leaf and neglected justice and mercy, the very things God cares about most. Jesus does not tell them to stop tithing; he tells them not to leave the greater things undone. God wants both, but never the small at the cost of the great.

Micah asked what the Lord requires, and gave an answer a child can hold: do justly, love mercy, walk humbly. The Kingdom’s righteousness is not a wall of rules to hide behind but a way of walking with God that spills over into fairness and kindness toward everyone we meet. Where mercy is loved, the Kingdom is near.

Frequently asked questions

What did Jesus say are the weightier matters of the law?: In Matthew 23:23 Jesus named them 'judgment, mercy, and faith,' rebuking those who tithed their garden herbs but neglected justice and mercy. He said they should have done the small things without leaving the greater undone.
What does Micah 6:8 have to do with the Kingdom of God?: Micah 6:8 sums up what God requires: 'to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.' Jesus echoed this, teaching that the Kingdom's righteousness is about mercy and justice from the heart, not mere rule-keeping.
Does the Kingdom of God care about justice?: Yes. Jesus put justice and mercy at the centre of true religion (Matthew 23:23) and said, 'I will have mercy, and not sacrifice' (Matthew 9:13). God's reign brings right relationships, care for the vulnerable, and mercy that mirrors his own.

One step deeper: Why did Jesus welcome the children? →

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Come and see the King

The Kingdom of God is not finally a subject to be studied but a King to be met. Jesus opened his ministry saying the Kingdom had come near, and he still draws near to everyone who turns to him with an open heart. Read his own words, watch what he does, and see. The Gospel of Mark, where he first cries ‘the kingdom of God is at hand,’ is a gentle place to begin, and it costs you nothing but a little quiet and an honest look.

Read the Gospel of Mark Who is Jesus?Ask for prayer

Jesus Christ is Lord.

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