Mark 7 11

Mark 7:11 kjv

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.

Mark 7:11 nkjv

But you say, 'If a man says to his father or mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban"?' (that is, a gift to God),

Mark 7:11 niv

But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is Corban (that is, devoted to God)?

Mark 7:11 esv

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) ?

Mark 7:11 nlt

But you say it is all right for people to say to their parents, 'Sorry, I can't help you. For I have vowed to give to God what I would have given to you.'

Mark 7 verses

Mark 7 11 Meaning

Mark 7:11 reveals a deeply ingrained practice among some Jewish leaders and their followers where an individual could declare potential financial aid or resources meant for their parents as "Corban" – a gift dedicated to God. This declaration, supported by human tradition, was then used to justify withholding support from aging parents, thereby nullifying the explicit biblical commandment to honor one's father and mother. It highlights the spiritual hypocrisy of prioritizing man-made religious traditions over fundamental divine obligations and filial duty.

Mark 7 11 Context

Mark chapter 7 begins with a confrontation between Jesus and the Pharisees and scribes concerning the ceremonial washing of hands. They accuse Jesus’ disciples of not observing the “tradition of the elders,” which was not a commandment from the Torah but a human-made ritual. Jesus responds by strongly condemning their practice of holding to human tradition while neglecting and even nullifying God's commandments (Mark 7:6-8), quoting Isaiah 29:13. The practice of "Corban" in Mark 7:11 is presented as a specific and egregious example of how their traditions permitted bypassing clear divine commands, particularly the fifth commandment to honor parents. This passage highlights Jesus’ challenge to superficial religious legalism versus genuine piety and heart transformation.

Historically, "Corban" (Hebrew/Aramaic: קָרְבָּן, qorbān) referred to anything dedicated or set apart to God. While vows were a legitimate form of worship (Num 30), a rabbinic tradition developed where one could declare one's possessions or future earnings as Corban, making them ostensibly unavailable for profane (common) use. In practice, this was exploited by some individuals to avoid financial obligations to their parents. The declared asset was not always immediately given to the Temple; the declaration itself was often enough to consider it consecrated and thus legally untouchable for parental support, even while the person maintained control over it. This allowed individuals to shirk a moral and biblical duty under the guise of piety.

Mark 7 11 Word analysis

• But: (δέ, de) An adversative conjunction introducing a sharp contrast or counter-argument, highlighting the contradiction between God's command and the human tradition.
• you say: Refers to the prevalent teachings and authoritative pronouncements of the Jewish religious leaders (Pharisees and scribes), indicating a common, sanctioned practice.
• If a man tells: Signifies a declarative action or a vow. The "If" implies this was a known scenario for which a solution was provided by their tradition.
• his father or his mother: Specifies the direct object of neglect and the immediate beneficiaries of the unfulfilled duty, underscoring the transgression against family bonds and divine law.
• Whatever you would have gained from me: (ὃ ἐὰν ὠφεληθῇς ἐξ ἐμοῦ, ho ean ophelēthēs ex emou) This phrase describes the expected financial or material support a child could and should provide to their parents, particularly in their old age. It speaks of the beneficial assistance parents might legitimately anticipate or require from their adult children.
• is Corban: (κορβαν, korban) A transliterated Aramaic term, literally meaning "a gift, offering, dedicated to God." It signifies something set apart as consecrated or holy, and therefore unavailable for common use.
  • Significance: In this context, it was a verbal declaration that property or funds were consecrated, making them illicit to use for anything else, even supporting parents, thus serving as a religious pretext to avoid a clear command.
• that is, given to God: (ὅ ἐστιν δῶρον, ho estin dōron) Mark's parenthetical explanation for his largely Gentile audience, clarifying the meaning of the unfamiliar term "Corban." It highlights the supposed pious intent behind the declaration.

Words-group analysis:

• "But you say, ‘If a man tells his father or his mother’": This establishes the authoritative source of the opposing teaching (the human traditions of the religious leaders) and clearly identifies the primary victims of this perversion—one's own parents. It sets up the direct conflict between human decrees and divine statutes.
• "‘Whatever you would have gained from me is Corban’": This is the core statement of the legalistic loophole. It denotes a child's declaration that any present or future financial assistance they might render to their parents is consecrated to God and thus inaccessible to the parents. This act deliberately uses a religious concept to evade personal responsibility.
• "Corban’ (that is, given to God)—’": This phrase is key to understanding the deceit. It explains the technical term, clarifying that "Corban" implied sacred dedication. The perversion lay in the fact that while declared "given to God," the asset often remained in the possessor's control, yet was withheld from those in need under a veneer of piety.

Mark 7 11 Bonus section

• Moral Hazard of Traditions: This verse powerfully illustrates the danger of human traditions (τὴν παράδοσιν τῶν πρεσβυτέρων, tēn paradosin tōn presbyterōn – "tradition of the elders") when they become equal to or supersede divine commandments. Such traditions, even if well-intentioned, can create a "moral hazard" where duty is redefined or abrogated for selfish gain under a cloak of piety.
• Law vs. Spirit of the Law: The Corban teaching epitomizes the scribes and Pharisees' focus on the letter of the law and legal technicalities, often to the neglect of its spirit, particularly its underlying principles of love, mercy, and justice. Jesus consistently challenged this imbalance, emphasizing God's desire for obedience that flows from a righteous heart.
• The Weightier Matters: The issue of Corban is a vivid example of "neglecting the weightier matters of the law" (Matt 23:23). While honoring God through vows or offerings is important, it cannot override foundational moral and ethical obligations within family and society, especially care for the vulnerable.
• Jesus' Authority: By condemning such deeply ingrained and sanctioned traditions, Jesus asserts His authority to interpret the Torah accurately, revealing its true intent, and calling for a radical reorientation of religious practice towards God's heart rather than man's legalism.

Mark 7 11 Commentary

Mark 7:11 profoundly illustrates how outward religiosity can mask deep spiritual corruption and disregard for God’s true will. The "Corban" practice was a tradition, likely developed with noble intentions of promoting dedication to God, but it was corrupted by legalistic interpretation. It provided a loophole for individuals to bypass the clear Fifth Commandment to honor and provide for their parents, claiming their resources were consecrated to God. Jesus exposed this as a hypocrisy: superficially pious yet morally bankrupt. It was a formalistic observance that neglected love, mercy, and fundamental familial duties—the very heart of God's law. True faith does not use religious acts as an excuse to avoid real-world responsibilities and kindness but rather compels believers to care for family and neighbor as an extension of their love for God.

Examples: Prioritizing attending every church service or large donations while neglecting tangible care for an aging parent, or using religious declarations to evade financial duties to family members.