Matthew 15 5

Matthew 15:5 kjv

But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;

Matthew 15:5 nkjv

But you say, 'Whoever says to his father or mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God"?

Matthew 15:5 niv

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

Matthew 15:5 esv

But you say, 'If anyone tells his father or his mother, "What you would have gained from me is given to God,"

Matthew 15:5 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.'

Matthew 15 verses

Matthew 15 5 Meaning

Matthew 15:5 reveals Jesus exposing a human tradition among certain Jewish religious leaders that undermined God's commandment. They taught that if a person declared their possessions or resources as a "gift committed to God" (corban), they were then absolved from using those resources to financially support their needy parents, despite the Fifth Commandment to honor them. This practice allowed individuals to prioritize a ceremonial dedication over a direct and ethical obligation to family.

Matthew 15 5 Context

Matthew chapter 15 opens with Pharisees and scribes confronting Jesus regarding His disciples' failure to follow the tradition of ceremonial handwashing before eating, accusing them of transgressing the "tradition of the elders." Jesus counter-attacks, exposing their own transgression of God's commandments for the sake of their traditions. Matthew 15:5-6 is the heart of Jesus' argument, where He provides a specific example of their hypocrisy: the practice of using "Corban" to avoid the responsibility of supporting one's parents. Historically, the "tradition of the elders" or Oral Torah had grown in importance for some Jewish leaders, sometimes overshadowing the written Law of Moses. This particular practice demonstrates how a seemingly pious act (dedicating resources to God) was twisted to nullify a clear divine injunction for filial duty, revealing a misplaced priority and legalistic self-serving interpretation.

Matthew 15 5 Word analysis

• But you say (ὑμεῖς δέ φητε - hymeis de phēte): This phrase highlights a direct counter-argument or contrasting view. Jesus directly challenges the prevailing teaching of the religious authorities, indicating a dispute over theological and ethical principles. It sets up a polemic, exposing their hypocrisy and misdirection.
• Whoever says to his father or mother: This points to a direct responsibility towards one's parents. The Fifth Commandment ("Honor your father and mother") mandated not just respect but also practical provision, especially in their old age or time of need. This specific scenario shows a clear violation of that command.
• "Whatever I have that would have been a benefit to you is a gift committed to God,": This is the core of the problem, encapsulating the concept of Corban.
  • "Whatever I have that would have been a benefit to you": Refers to a person's financial assets or property that should legitimately be used to assist their parents in need. It underscores the missed opportunity for filial duty and care.
  • "is a gift committed to God,": In the Greek, this translates the sense of Corban (Qorban in Aramaic/Hebrew). The Greek word used is Δῶρον (Dōron), meaning "gift" or "offering." It refers to something dedicated or vowed to God, often for Temple use or a sacrificial purpose. The practice allowed an individual to declare their property as consecrated to God, thus rendering it legally unavailable for personal use, including support for parents. While ostensibly pious, this effectively released the individual from their family obligations, as they claimed the property could no longer be used for secular purposes without violating the sacred vow. This was a grave misapplication of a legitimate concept of vows and offerings.

Matthew 15 5 Bonus section

The "Corban" practice highlights the danger of elevating human traditions, interpretations, or "spiritual commitments" above the clear ethical and moral commands of God. It shows how people can use the pretense of piety to escape genuine responsibilities. The essence of this specific critique by Jesus is that true honor to God involves fulfilling His commands of love and justice, particularly within the family unit, which is the foundational building block of society. Dedicating money to God, while seemingly commendable, loses its spiritual value if it simultaneously means neglecting one's sacred duty to family, implying that resources from God should be used for God's purposes, which includes caring for His creation as commanded. This incident also showcases Jesus' authority to reinterpret and uphold the spirit of the Law against its twisted interpretations by the religious establishment.

Matthew 15 5 Commentary

Matthew 15:5 exposes a fundamental conflict between true devotion and self-serving legalism. The practice of declaring one's possessions "Corban" illustrates how external piety could be used as a cloak for internal spiritual rot and disobedience. Rather than reflecting genuine holiness, it became a loophole for evading the moral weight of a divine command: to honor and care for one's parents. Jesus forcefully demonstrates that God desires mercy and true obedience over sacrificial or vowed obligations when the latter nullifies a greater ethical imperative. The religious leaders valued their human-made traditions more than the explicit commands of God, prioritizing ritual or formal dedication over acts of love and provision. This serves as a timeless warning against any religious practice or doctrine that allows one to neglect core biblical duties of love and care, especially towards those closest to us.