I've never had any problem in interpreting this passage when viewed in context with the surrounding verses. Jesus is simply criticizing them for choking on the tiny rules (straining at swallowing), meaning that they put great effort into following the (comparatively) insignificant requirements, while at the same time there was no effort made with the "weightier matters of the law" (easily swallowing the camel). No Greek needed. Seems like common sense to me, I didn't even have to strain to understand.
I haven't read Will's article, but was expect that it was far more "scholarly" in a good way.