Mint belongs to the Lamiaceae (mint) family, characterized by aromatic leaves rich in essential oils. In the eastern Mediterranean, several varieties—especially Mentha spicata (spearmint) and Mentha pulegium (pennyroyal)—grew readily in gardens, along waterways, and near dwellings. Its fragrance made it a valued household herb for flavoring food, freshening rooms, and preparing simple medicinal infusions for indigestion, colds, and headaches. Because it flourished with minimal care, mint was inexpensive and ubiquitous, yet prized enough to be measured out in small bundles in local markets.

Occurrences in Scripture

Mint appears twice in the New Testament, both in the context of Jesus’ denunciations of hypocritical piety:

• Matthew 23:23 – “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin, but you have neglected the weightier matters of the Law—justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.”

• Luke 11:42 – “But woe to you Pharisees! You give a tenth of mint, rue, and every herb, yet you overlook justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.”

In both texts mint is grouped with other small garden herbs—dill, cumin, rue—items so minor that they could easily be overlooked when assessing tithes.

Historical Context of Tithing Herbs

Rabbinic tradition, drawing on passages such as Leviticus 27:30 and Deuteronomy 14:22, developed meticulous guidelines for tithing even the tiniest produce. The Mishnah (Ma‘aserot 1:3) later codified that herbs like mint were subject to tithing if cultivated intentionally. Pharisaic obedience in this area aimed to demonstrate scrupulous fidelity; however, it could devolve into self-displaying legalism.

Theological Significance

1. Priorities of the Heart. By citing mint, Jesus exposes the danger of elevating peripheral commands above core ethical imperatives. Tithing herbs was not condemned in itself; the rebuke targets the imbalance that prized minute external compliance while disregarding “justice and the love of God.”

2. Integrity of Worship. Genuine devotion integrates precise obedience with compassionate righteousness. To “practice the latter without neglecting the former” safeguards both doctrinal accuracy and relational holiness.

3. Revelation of Hypocrisy. Mint’s trivial value highlights how hypocrisy can cloak itself in exaggerated attention to negligible acts, masking the absence of true spiritual transformation.

Lessons for Ministry and Discipleship

• Teach Whole-Counsel Obedience: Affirm the validity of seemingly small acts of faithfulness, yet continually re-center believers on the weightier matters that reflect God’s character.
• Guard Against Performative Religion: Ministry leaders must examine motives, ensuring that visible disciplines do not substitute for love, mercy, and justice.
• Model Proportional Zeal: Like the early Church’s balance in Acts 6:1-4—addressing practical needs without forsaking prayer and the Word—congregations should pursue both detailed stewardship and overarching mission.

Symbolic Reflections

Fragrant yet fragile, mint illustrates how minor disciplines can refresh communal life when rooted in love. Conversely, its ease of growth warns that outward religiosity can flourish rapidly without deep roots in godliness.

Related Biblical Themes

Justice – Micah 6:8

Mercy – Hosea 6:6

Faithfulness – 1 Samuel 15:22

Love of God – Deuteronomy 6:5; 1 John 4:19

See Also

Tithing, Pharisees, Herbs of the Bible, Hypocrisy