Mark 7 10

Mark 7:10 kjv

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

Mark 7:10 nkjv

For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and, 'He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.'

Mark 7:10 niv

For Moses said, 'Honor your father and mother,' and, 'Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.'

Mark 7:10 esv

For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and, 'Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.'

Mark 7:10 nlt

For instance, Moses gave you this law from God: 'Honor your father and mother,' and 'Anyone who speaks disrespectfully of father or mother must be put to death.'

Mark 7 verses

Mark 7 10 Meaning

Mark 7:10 underscores Jesus' affirmation of God's explicit commandments given through Moses, specifically the fifth commandment regarding parental honor and the corresponding capital punishment for its severe transgression. This verse serves as a foundational declaration by Jesus against the human traditions that annulled divine law, emphasizing the unwavering authority and sanctity of God's Word over man-made rules and interpretations.

Mark 7 10 Context

Mark 7:10 is embedded within a broader confrontation between Jesus and the Pharisees and scribes from Jerusalem. The initial dispute revolves around the disciples' failure to observe the traditional ritual washing of hands before eating, which the Pharisees considered a defilement (Mk 7:1-5). Jesus responds by exposing their hypocrisy, accusing them of prioritizing human traditions over God's commands (Mk 7:6-8). He illustrates this by specifically citing their "Corban" practice (Mk 7:9-13). In this practice, an individual could declare their property or assets "Corban" (dedicated to God), effectively exempting them from using those resources to support their needy parents, thus nullifying the divine commandment to honor and care for one's father and mother. Mark 7:10 directly quotes this violated divine law, setting up the immediate comparison with the Pharisees' ungodly tradition.

Mark 7 10 Word analysis

• For: Greek: γάρ (gar). A particle connecting the present statement as an explanation or reason for the preceding one. Jesus uses this to provide scriptural backing for his accusation against the Pharisees.
• Moses: Refers to the Lawgiver, underscoring that the command comes directly from God through His appointed servant, representing divine authority.
• said: Greek: εἶπεν (eipen), aorist active indicative of λέγω (legō), meaning "to speak" or "to say." Emphasizes that this is a direct, authoritative utterance.
• ‘Honor’: Greek: Τίμα (Tima), present active imperative of τιμάω (timaō). This is a command, not merely an suggestion. It means "to highly esteem," "to value," "to revere," and also "to provide for." In the ancient world, "honor" included providing material support, especially for aging parents.
• your father: The primary male head of the household and lineage. Authority, provision, and instruction often flowed from the father.
• and your mother’: The female parent, equally significant in the commandment and society. Equal respect and care were due to both parents. The pairing highlights the unified respect owed to both.
• and: Connects the two parts of Moses' teaching: the command to honor and the severe consequence of dishonoring.
• ‘He who reviles’: Greek: ὁ κακολογῶν (ho kakologōn), a participle (lit. "the one evil-speaking") from κακολογέω (kakologeō). This means "to speak evil of," "to curse," "to rail against," "to insult," or "to abuse verbally." It indicates malicious, contemptuous speech that actively dishonors and wishes ill upon the parent, beyond mere disobedience.
• father or mother,\: Reinforces the absolute requirement for respect towards both parents.
• let him be put to death’: Greek: θανάτῳ τελευτάτω (thanatō teleutatō). Literally, "let him end/finish by death" or "let him die by death." This refers to the prescribed capital punishment in the Mosaic Law for severe acts of filial irreverence and rebellion. The severity of the penalty highlights the gravity of this sin in God's eyes and its threat to the very foundation of societal order.

Words-group Analysis

• “For Moses said…”: Jesus immediately appeals to the highest authority for a Jew: the Mosaic Law, the very Law which the Pharisees claimed to uphold, but were in fact circumventing. This introduces God’s direct command.
• “Honor your father and your mother”: This is the core of the fifth commandment. Its inclusion here by Jesus points to the foundational importance of filial piety not just as a moral virtue but as a divine mandate integral to a righteous society. This "honor" encompasses obedience, respect, care, and provision, particularly for aged parents.
• “He who reviles father or mother, let him be put to death.”: This severe legal consequence underscores the gravity of disrespecting parents in ancient Israelite society. "Reviling" is not mere complaining, but active, malevolent cursing that sought to dishonor and potentially harm. The capital penalty signifies that such an act was not merely a family offense, but an offense against God's established order and the communal well-being. Jesus presents both the positive command and the negative prohibition with its consequence to stress the full scope of God’s intention regarding parental authority.

Mark 7 10 Bonus section

The Hebrew word often translated as "curses" in Ex 21:17 and Lev 20:9 is qalal, which can mean "to make light of," "to treat lightly," or "to curse." The Greek term kakologeō used in Mark 7:10 (and its parallel in Matthew 15:4) means "to speak evil of" or "to abuse," reinforcing that it's about contemptuous, demeaning speech that goes beyond a casual insult. The choice of kakologeō implies a verbal act that truly undermines and belittles the parents, fitting the severe Mosaic punishment. Jesus’ use of these specific commands showcases his deep understanding and commitment to the underlying spiritual principles of the Torah, not just its external rituals. This example encapsulates how human traditions, even those framed in piety (like the Corban vow ostensibly dedicating resources to God), can ironically lead to disobedience of God’s highest commands, ultimately emptying His word of its power.

Mark 7 10 Commentary

Mark 7:10 is a pivotal verse in Jesus' confrontation with the religious establishment of His day. By quoting directly from Moses, Jesus elevates the discussion from a squabble over traditions of washing hands to the core principles of divine law versus human ingenuity. The verse acts as an undeniable proof-text, showing that the very Law they professed to live by, and interpret, explicitly condemned their "Corban" tradition. The dual emphasis—the command to "honor" (with all its implications of support and reverence) and the death penalty for "reviling" (maliciously cursing)—highlights the supreme value God places on the family unit and the relationship between children and parents. Jesus' point is that while the Pharisees meticulously observed their man-made rules about purity, they fundamentally undermined a clear and crucial commandment that impacts both human society and reflects reverence for God. This verse demonstrates Jesus’ unyielding commitment to the heart of God's Law and His bold exposure of religious hypocrisy.