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.
Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.

In this passage, Jesus delivers a powerful rebuke to the Pharisees, exposing their hypocrisy. The Pharisees, while meticulously observing minor traditions like tithing herbs such as mint, anise, and cumin, neglect more significant principles like justice, mercy, and faith. This behavior illustrates their misplaced priorities and self-righteousness. By using the metaphor of "straining at a gnat and swallowing a camel," Jesus highlights the absurdity of their actions. Gnats and camels are both considered unclean animals in Jewish law, yet the Pharisees obsess over minor impurities while ignoring major transgressions. This critique underscores a broader message about the importance of sincerity and genuine devotion in religious practice, warning against superficial displays of piety at the expense of true righteousness.