Matthew 15:5
But you say, ‘If anyone tells his father or his mother, “What you would have gained from me is given to God,”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The phrase "It is a gift" isn't just about giving something to God; it's a specific pronouncement, corban, that effectively declared something off-limits for any other purpose, even for caring for one's parents. This reveals how religious tradition could be twisted to create a loophole, allowing people to avoid fundamental duties under the guise of piety.
Jesus is confronting the religious leaders about their hypocrisy. They are clinging to human traditions that make them appear devout but actually violate God's commands. This specific teaching allows people to neglect their duty to provide for their parents by declaring their possessions "Corban," meaning dedicated to God, thus excusing them from their filial obligations.
Ever felt like you could find a loophole to get out of a difficult obligation? The religious leaders of Jesus' day had perfected this art.
Jesus confronts the Pharisees about a tradition they created that undermined God's command to honor parents. They had a clever, but twisted, way around this commandment using a concept called 'Corban'.
What is Corban?
Corban was a Hebrew word signifying a gift or offering dedicated to God. By saying 'Corban' over something, a person essentially declared it sacred and set apart, theoretically making it unavailable for any other use.
The Loophole:
The religious leaders taught that if someone declared their resources 'Corban' to their father or mother, they were then freed from the obligation to support them. This sounds pious on the surface – prioritizing God's things! But Jesus exposes the rot beneath:
It's easy to go through the motions of religion, but does it truly honor God if our hearts aren't in it?
Jesus doesn't condemn giving to God or supporting religious causes. The problem lies in the motive and the of such practices when they serve as an excuse to disobey God's other commands.
c. 1400 BC
Mosaic Law Established
The Law given through Moses includes commandments such as 'Honor your father and your mother,' setting a foundational principle for family obligation.
c. 5th - 1st Century BC
Development of Oral Law and Traditions
During the Second Temple period, Jewish scribes and Pharisees developed extensive oral traditions and interpretations of the Law. These traditions began to gain authority, sometimes rivaling written law.
c. 1st Century AD— this verse
Casuistry of Corban Vows
Jewish religious authorities developed a casuistic loophole where a vow (Corban) could be made to dedicate possessions to God, thereby releasing the vow-maker from obligations like supporting parents. This practice became widespread among some groups.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Ministry and Teaching
Jesus directly confronts the scribes and Pharisees about their traditions, highlighting how their interpretation of 'Corban' nullified the commandment to honor parents. This teaching occurs during His public ministry.
This passage states the commandment to 'Honor your father and your mother,' which is the very obligation the Pharisees' tradition allowed people to bypass, highlighting the direct conflict.
Deuteronomy 23:21-23This passage speaks about the importance of fulfilling vows made to God, showing the religious principle the Pharisees twisted to justify their corrupted practice.
Proverbs 11:24This proverb contrasts scattering and receiving more, which can be applied to how true generosity (like supporting needy parents) brings blessing, unlike the Pharisees' selfish 'generosity' to God that harmed family.
Mark 7:10-12This parallel passage provides the specific term 'Corban' (meaning 'gift' or 'offering') which the Pharisees used, further illuminating the casuistry Matthew describes.
Colossians 2:22Paul describes human rules as 'fleshly rules' and 'teachings of men,' which resonates with Jesus' condemnation of the Pharisees' traditions that undermined God's commands.
barnesMatthew 15:5: "But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;"
It is a gift - In Mark it is "corban." The word "corban" is a Hebrew word denoting a gift. Here it means a thing dedicated to the service of God, and therefore not to be appropriated to any other use. The Jews were in the habit of making such dedications. They devoted their property to God for sacred uses, as they pleased. In doing this they used the word קרב…
calvinMatthew 15:1-9: "Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying,"
- 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, He that curseth fath…
The phrase "It is a gift" isn't just about giving something to God; it's a specific pronouncement, corban, that effectively declared something off-limits for any other purpose, even for caring for one's parents. This reveals how religious tradition could be twisted to create a loophole, allowing people to avoid fundamental duties under the guise of piety.
Jesus is confronting the religious leaders about their hypocrisy. They are clinging to human traditions that make them appear devout but actually violate God's commands. This specific teaching allows people to neglect their duty to provide for their parents by declaring their possessions "Corban," meaning dedicated to God, thus excusing them from their filial obligations.
Jesus is confronting the religious leaders about their hypocrisy. They are clinging to human traditions that make them appear devout but actually violate God's commands. This specific teaching allows people to neglect their duty to provide for their parents by declaring their possessions "Corban," meaning dedicated to God, thus excusing them from their filial obligations.
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Worship vs. Hypocrisy:
Jesus quotes Isaiah to expose the Pharisees' hollow worship:
The Danger of 'Will-Worship':
This practice is a prime example of what the Bible calls 'will-worship' – trying to please God through self-devised methods of devotion, rather than through obedience to His actual commands. It looks religious, but it misses the mark entirely because it bypasses the heart of what God truly desires: obedience and love, demonstrated not just in grand gestures, but in the faithful fulfillment of our responsibilities to others.
"But you say, ‘If anyone tells his father or his mother, “What you would have gained from me is given to God,”" — The phrase "It is a gift" isn't just about giving something to God; it's a specific pronouncement, corban, that effectively declared something off-limits for any other purpose, even for caring for…
