Understanding Matthew 15:5 and Honoring Parents

Matthew 15:5

5 But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;

Matthew 15:5 describes a practice where individuals hypocritically diverted funds intended for the support of their aging parents by claiming those assets were "Corban," or a gift dedicated to God Matthew 15:5DA 396.4+1. This tradition allowed people to appear pious while simultaneously violating the fifth commandment and defrauding their own family Matthew 15:4-6DA 408.3+1.

The Meaning of Corban

The word "Corban" refers to a gift or offering that has been consecrated or irrevocably dedicated to the service of God and the templeETI Corban.2+1. Once a person pronounced this word over their property or money, it was considered sacred, and tradition dictated it could no longer be used for secular purposes, such as providing for the necessities of a father or mother Mark 7:11HLv 264.5+1.

Hypocrisy and the Violation of the Law

Jesus used this verse to expose how the religious leaders of His day prioritized human traditions over the clear commands of God Matthew 15:3RH August 3, 1897, par. 9+1.

• Neglect of Filial Duty: The fifth commandment explicitly requires children to honor and provide for their parents, especially when they are old and feeble Exodus 20:12RY 52.1+2.

• Selfish Intentions: Under the guise of devotion, an undutiful child could pronounce their goods as "Corban" to keep the assets for their own use during their lifetime, while legally exempting themselves from the obligation to assist their parentsDA 396.4+2.

• Nullifying the Word: By enforcing these man-made rules, the Pharisees made the word of God of none effect, choosing the "tradition of the elders" over the moral law spoken at Sinai Mark 7:13HLv 274.4+2.

The Spiritual Principle

True worship cannot exist where the commandments of men are taught as divine doctrine Matthew 15:9RRCS 1.1+1. God regards the care of one’s family as a vital form of missionary work and a direct expression of one's relationship with HimAH 295.3+1. Neglecting a parent’s need for attention or financial support while claiming religious devotion is a striking example of hypocrisy that permeates the character and lifeBDOC 31.50+1. Jesus stood as the defender of the law, making it clear that no religious vow should ever be used as a "breastwork" to justify breaking the fifth commandmentHLv 264.5+2.

Mark 7

1 Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem.

2 And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault.

3 For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.

4 And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables.

5 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?

6 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.

7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.

9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.

10 For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death:

11 But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free.

12 And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother;

13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

14 And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand:

15 There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.

16 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.

17 And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable.

18 And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it can not defile him;

19 Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?

20 And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.

21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,

22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:

23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

24 And from thence he arose, and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and entered into an house, and would have no man know it: but he could not be hid.

25 For a certain woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of him, and came and fell at his feet:

26 The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter.

27 But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it unto the dogs.

28 And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children’s crumbs.

29 And he said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter.

30 And when she was come to her house, she found the devil gone out, and her daughter laid upon the bed.

31 And again, departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, he came unto the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis.

32 And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech him to put his hand upon him.

33 And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue;

34 And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened.

35 And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain.

36 And he charged them that they should tell no man: but the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal they published it;

37 And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.

Moses taught the obligation to financially support and care for parents through the Fifth Commandment, a moral law which Jesus confirmed as requiring practical, tangible honor rather than mere words. In ** Mark 7**, Christ identifies that the command to "honor" your parents includes providing for their necessities, a duty the Pharisees were circumventing through their traditions.

The Foundation: The Fifth Commandment

The primary instruction from Moses regarding the care of parents is found in the Decalogue:

• ** Exodus 20:12**: "Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee."

• ** Deuteronomy 5:16**: "Honor thy father and thy mother, as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee."

While the word "honor" might seem abstract, the Bible defines it as a broad obligation that includes obedience, respect, and physical care. To honor parents means to value their matured judgment and to provide for them when they are old and dependent. This is the first commandment that focuses on our duty to our fellow man, and it is the only one with a specific promise of long life on the earth Ephesians 6:2-3.

The Practical Application: Honor as Support

Moses did not just command a feeling of respect; he established that failing to care for parents was a grave sin. In ** Mark 7:10**, Jesus quotes Moses to show the weight of this responsibility: "For Moses said, Honor thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death."

The term "curseth" or "setteth light by" Deuteronomy 27:16 includes more than just spoken words; it involves treating a parent’s needs as of no consequence. Jesus explained that when the Pharisees allowed a son to say "Corban"—claiming his money was a gift dedicated to God—they were allowing him to "honor not his father or his mother" Matthew 15:6. By doing this, they were "making the word of God of none effect" through their tradition Mark 7:13.

Lessons for Our Bible Study 📖

• Delegated Authority: Parents stand in the place of God toward their children in their early years. Therefore, how a child treats their earthly parents is a reflection of how they will treat their Heavenly Father Psalm 100:3.

• Lifelong Obligation: The duty to honor parents does not end when a child becomes an adult. Even Solomon, as a mighty king, showed this by rising from his throne to bow before his mother and seating her at his right hand.

• Providing for the Aged: True religion involves "smoothing the pathway to the grave" for aged parents. Providing food and shelter is the bare minimum; God requires that we also provide love, sympathy, and thoughtful attention.

• The Sin of Neglect: To withhold help from parents under the pretext of religious devotion is hypocrisy. God is not pleased with gifts brought to the altar if those funds were rightfully owed to the support of needy parents Matthew 15:3-9.

A Warning for the Last Days ⚠️

The Bible predicts that in the last days, "disobedience to parents" would be a sign of the end Luke 21:16+1. We are called to return to the plain path of the commandments. Children who respect and love their parents will more readily yield to the claims of their Creator.

As you reflect on these scriptures, remember that every act of fidelity to your parents is registered in the books of heaven. It is a part of our "ministry" to ensure that our parents lack no comfort or expression of affection in their later years. 🌟