Jesus points out that the command to honor parents isn't just about respect, but also about active support, especially when they are in need. The severity of the penalty for cursing a parent underscores the profound seriousness with which God views this foundational family relationship.
For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’ But you say, ‘If a man tells his father or his mother, “Whatever you would have gained from me is Corban”’ (that is, given to God)— then you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or mother, thus making void the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And many such things you do.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is directly confronting religious leaders who are prioritizing their own human traditions over God's commandments. He cites the commandment to honor parents from the Law of Moses, highlighting its seriousness by pointing out the death penalty prescribed for cursing them. This sets the stage for him to expose how their "Corban" tradition, which allowed people to dedicate money to God instead of helping their parents, actually nullified this fundamental divine command.
When Jesus quotes the commandment to honor parents, He isn't just talking about basic politeness. He's pointing to a foundational responsibility with profound implications.
Jesus highlights the commandment found in Exodus 20:12. This "honor" isn't just about respect; it includes providing for parents when they are in need (as noted in Matthew 15:4-6, which elaborates on this passage).
The seriousness of this command is underscored by its severe penalty: "Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die" (Exodus 21:17). This isn't a suggestion; it's a life-and-death matter in the Mosaic Law, showing how crucial family honor and responsibility are in God's eyes.
The scribes and Pharisees had a human tradition that made it easier to 'honor' God than their parents. Jesus exposes this dangerous spiritual sidestep.
The core issue Jesus addresses is how human traditions, even those presented with religious intent, can subtly (or not so subtly) nullify God's clear commands. The Pharisees had a concept called 'Corban,' which allowed someone to dedicate money or possessions to God, thereby avoiding the obligation to use that money to help their parents.
Jesus points out the hypocrisy: they claimed to be honoring God with their offerings, but their tradition allowed them to neglect the very real, God-ordained duty to care for their parents. This tradition effectively made the commandment of God invalid, replacing genuine obedience with outward, self-serving religious performance.
Understand the original words
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kakologeō · Greek Verb
To insult, curse, or speak evil of someone. In the context of parents, it implies a serious defiance that strikes at the honor due to those God has placed in authority.
qorban · Hebrew (transliterated into Greek) Noun
A Hebrew term referring to a gift or offering dedicated to God. In this context, it was used by religious leaders as a vow to exempt property from being used to support one's parents, effectively creating a loophole against the commandment to honor one's parents.
akyroo · Greek Verb
To make of no effect, to invalidate, or to render powerless. It implies treating a divine command as though it has no authority or binding force.
paradosis · Greek Noun
The body of oral laws, interpretations, and customs passed down by elders and teachers, often placed on an equal or higher level of authority than the written Scriptures.
Jesus highlights that the commandment from Moses to honor parents, a core tenet with severe penalties for disobedience, was being undermined by the Pharisees' oral traditions, which allowed people to neglect their parents by dedicating funds to the temple instead.
c. 1446 BC
Giving of the Ten Commandments
God gives Moses the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai, including the command to honor parents, which is foundational to Israelite society.
c. 1400 BC
Code of Hammurabi
A Babylonian legal code that includes laws regarding family honor and parental rights, showing the ancient Near Eastern context for such commands.
c. 450 BC
Ezra and Nehemiah return to Jerusalem
Following the Babylonian exile, Ezra and Nehemiah lead the people in re-establishing adherence to the Law of Moses, emphasizing the importance of God's commands.
c. AD 20-50
Development of Oral Traditions
During the Second Temple period, Jewish scribes and Pharisees develop extensive oral traditions, which begin to rival and sometimes supersede the written Law in practice.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Jesus' Ministry and Teachings
Jesus engages in public ministry, often challenging the religious leaders' interpretations and practices, including their traditions that conflict with God's commands.
This passage contains the foundational commandment Jesus references, establishing the divine origin and authority behind honoring parents.
Exodus 21:17This verse provides the severe penalty for disrespecting parents, highlighting the gravity of the command and Jesus' point about the scribes' corrupted traditions.
Deuteronomy 5:16This parallel account of the Ten Commandments reiterates the command to honor parents, emphasizing its enduring importance across different parts of the Law.
Matthew 15:4-6This parallel passage in Matthew elaborates on the same confrontation, detailing how the tradition of Corban allowed people to neglect their duties to parents, thereby nullifying God's commandment.
Ephesians 6:1-3This New Testament passage echoes the Old Testament command, showing that honoring parents remains a vital principle for believers, grounded in obedience to the Lord.
pooleMark 7:10: "For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death:"
See Poole on "Mark 7:1"
calvinMark 7:1-13: "Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem."
- Then scribes and Pharisees, who had come from Jerusalem, approach to Jesus, saying, 2. Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. 3. But he answering said to them, Why do you also transgress the commandment of God on account of [390] your tradition? 4. For God commanded, saying, Honor thy father and mother; and,…
Jesus points out that the command to honor parents isn't just about respect, but also about active support, especially when they are in need. The severity of the penalty for cursing a parent underscores the profound seriousness with which God views this foundational family relationship.
Jesus is directly confronting religious leaders who are prioritizing their own human traditions over God's commandments. He cites the commandment to honor parents from the Law of Moses, highlighting its seriousness by pointing out the death penalty prescribed for cursing them. This sets the stage for him to expose how their "Corban" tradition, which allowed people to dedicate money to God instead of helping their parents, actually nullified this fundamental divine command.
Jesus is directly confronting religious leaders who are prioritizing their own human traditions over God's commandments. He cites the commandment to honor parents from the Law of Moses, highlighting its seriousness by pointing out the death penalty prescribed for cursing them. This sets the stage for him to expose how their "Corban" tradition, which allowed people to dedicate money to God instead of helping their parents, actually nullified this fundamental divine command.
"For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’ But you say, ‘If a man tells his father or his mother, “Whatever you would have gained from me is Corban”’ (that is, given to God…" — Jesus points out that the command to honor parents isn't just about respect, but also about active support, especially when they are in need. The severity of the penalty for cursing a parent undersco…
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Last reviewed October 2026
