Mark 7 12

Mark 7:12 kjv

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

Mark 7:12 nkjv

then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother,

Mark 7:12 niv

then you no longer let them do anything for their father or mother.

Mark 7:12 esv

then you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or mother,

Mark 7:12 nlt

In this way, you let them disregard their needy parents.

Mark 7 verses

Mark 7 12 Meaning

This verse identifies the direct consequence of the legalistic interpretation of the "Corban" tradition. The Jewish religious leaders permitted, and thus tacitly encouraged, individuals to declare their possessions "given to God" (Corban), thereby making those resources inaccessible for the support of their parents. In essence, it highlights how a human tradition was manipulated to circumvent a divine commandment—the honor and care due to one's parents, as stipulated in the Fifth Commandment. Jesus here exposes the hypocrisy of prioritizing external vows over foundational familial and moral obligations.

Mark 7 12 Context

Mark 7:12 is embedded within a broader confrontation between Jesus and the Pharisees and scribes from Jerusalem (Mk 7:1-23; also in Matt 15:1-20). The conflict begins with the religious leaders questioning Jesus' disciples for eating with unwashed hands, violating their oral tradition. Jesus then challenges them directly, accusing them of nullifying God's commandment for the sake of their own tradition. He specifically uses the example of "Corban." According to this human tradition, if someone declared their property or money as "Corban" (κορβαν, korban – a gift or offering dedicated to God), they were exempt from using it to support their parents, even if their parents were in need. While the property was dedicated to God, it could still often be used by the person for their own benefit, just not for their parents. Jesus exposes this loophole as a grave offense against the clear biblical command to honor and provide for one's father and mother (Exod 20:12, Deut 5:16). The historical and cultural context highlights a tension between the letter of the law and its spirit, and the danger of human interpretations eclipsing divine imperatives, ultimately leading to a neglect of true piety and love.

Mark 7 12 Word analysis

• and you: Refers to the Jewish religious authorities—specifically the Pharisees and scribes—who were the custodians and interpreters of the law and tradition. Jesus directly holds them accountable for promoting or at least permitting this distorted practice.
• no longer permit: (Greek: οὐκέτι ἀφίετε, ouketi afiete) – The phrase indicates an active stance of allowing or forbidding. Here, it implies that the religious leaders effectively validated or authorized this practice. They did not prevent the manipulation of the "Corban" vow, but rather enabled or taught it, making it difficult or impossible for individuals to fulfill their natural and commanded filial duties once the vow was made.
• him: Refers to a son or daughter (or potentially any person) who might have declared their assets or future earnings as "Corban." This personalizes the consequence, showing the direct impact on individuals within a family.
• to do anything: (Greek: ποιῆσαι οὐδὲν, poiēsai ouden – literally "to do nothing"). This is a strong and comprehensive negation. It signifies that absolutely no form of material, financial, or practical assistance, however small, could then be provided to the parents from the "Corban"-designated resources. This emphasizes the complete deprivation resulting from such a vow.
• for his father or mother: Directly connects to the explicit command to "honor your father and your mother" found in the Decalogue (Exod 20:12; Deut 5:16). This command inherently implies care, support, and provision, especially in their old age or time of need. Jesus here contrasts the clear divine instruction with the religious leaders' self-serving tradition.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "you no longer permit him": Highlights the active complicity and enabling role of the religious leaders. Their interpretation of tradition created the moral loophole and validated its use. This was not a passive observation but an active authorization of spiritual abuse.
• "to do anything for his father or mother": Reveals the profound neglect and dishonor enforced by the corrupted Corban vow. It demonstrates how a purportedly pious act towards God was in reality an evasion of fundamental human and divine obligations towards family. The extent of the neglect is emphasized by "anything"—total deprivation of support.

Mark 7 12 Bonus section

This verse subtly reveals the profound spiritual danger of religiosity detached from true righteousness and compassion. The religious leaders had created a system where external displays of devotion (the vow of Corban) could be used as a spiritual shield to avoid internal moral obligation (caring for parents). This highlights how human-made religious laws, when exalted above God's divine principles, can pervert faith and lead to serious ethical lapses. Jesus, in this passage, not only critiques a specific legal loophole but challenges the very spirit of Pharisaic religion that prized external observance over genuine obedience to the heart of God's law. This remains a timeless warning against any religious practice or interpretation that diminishes love, care, or fundamental moral duties, regardless of how "spiritual" or pious it might appear.

Mark 7 12 Commentary

Mark 7:12 forms a crucial part of Jesus' scathing indictment of the religious leaders who prioritized their meticulously crafted human traditions over the clear, moral commandments of God. The "Corban" practice was a specific instance of legalism gone awry: a son or daughter could declare their property or resources as consecrated to God, thereby avoiding the responsibility to support their aging or needy parents. While outwardly appearing pious, this act demonstrably violated the Fifth Commandment to "honor your father and mother," a command intrinsically linked to material and practical care. Jesus exposed their hypocrisy, demonstrating how their teachings emptied God's word of its true meaning and ethical demand. This verse underscores the principle that true devotion to God cannot come at the expense of genuine human responsibility, especially within the family, and that external rituals or vows are valueless if they lead to the neglect of love and obedience.