Rue is a plant native to the Middle East and is widely grown throughout the modern world.

It is a member of same plant family as many citrus fruits and has bright yellow flowers and a pungent aroma.

Numerous plants are mentioned within the bible, but is the rue plant one of them?

The short answer is yes, the rue plant is indeed mentioned in the Bible, specifically in the New Testament, in the book of Luke.

The Mention of Rue in the Biblical Texts

The rue plant, known scientifically as Ruta graveolens, is a perennial evergreen shrub that is native to the Mediterranean region. Its mention in the Bible is rather brief and subtle, tucked away in the Gospel of Luke 11:42. Here, Jesus criticizes the Pharisees, a group of Jewish religious leaders, for their hypocrisy.

“But woe unto you, Pharisees! For ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs”. – Luke 11:42, The Holy Bible

This verse is the only place in the Bible where the rue plant is mentioned. However, it is symbolic of the message Jesus wished to convey – that while the Pharisees were rigorous in observing the minor details of religious law, they failed to uphold the weightier matters of justice, mercy, and faith.