Matthew 15:4

KJV

For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} God {G2316} commanded {G1781}, saying {G3004}, Honour {G5091} thy {G4675} father {G3962} and {G2532} mother {G3384}: and {G2532}, He that curseth {G2551} father {G3962} or {G2228} mother {G3384}, let him die {G5053} the death {G2288}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For God said, `Honor your father and mother,' and `Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.'

Berean Standard Bible

For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’

American Standard Version

For God said, Honor thy father and thy mother: and, He that speaketh evil of father or mother, let him die the death.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 15:4 captures a crucial moment in Jesus' confrontation with the Pharisees, where He exposes their hypocrisy by contrasting their man-made traditions with God's explicit command to honor parents. By quoting the Fifth Commandment and its severe penalty for disobedience from the Old Testament Law, Jesus underscores the divine authority of God's Word over human interpretations that nullify its intent, highlighting the enduring importance of filial piety and the grave sin of neglecting one's familial responsibilities under the guise of religious devotion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within a broader discourse in [Matthew 15](/matthew/15 "Matthew 15 - Clean and Unclean") where Jesus challenges the religious establishment's adherence to human traditions over divine commands. The immediate preceding verses ([Matthew 15:1-2](/matthew/15-1-2 "Matthew 15:1-2 - Pharisees Question Jesus")) describe the Pharisees and scribes from Jerusalem criticizing Jesus' disciples for not observing the traditional ritual of hand-washing before eating. Jesus responds by turning their accusation back on them, demonstrating how their own traditions, particularly the practice of "Corban," directly violated a fundamental commandment of God. [Matthew 15:3](/matthew/15-3 "Matthew 15:3 - Jesus' Counter-Question") sets up the direct challenge, asking why they transgress God's commandment for the sake of their tradition, leading directly to the citation of [Exodus 20:12](/exodus/20-12 "Exodus 20:12 - The Fifth Commandment") and [Exodus 21:17](/exodus/21-17 "Exodus 21:17 - Penalty for Cursing Parents") in [Matthew 15:4](/matthew/15-4 "Matthew 15:4 - Jesus Quotes the Law").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The practice of "Corban" (Qorban in Hebrew, meaning "a gift dedicated to God") was a vow by which a person could declare their property or resources as dedicated to God, thereby making it unlawful to use those resources for any other purpose, even to support their needy parents. While seemingly pious, this tradition, as interpreted by some Pharisees, became a loophole to avoid the clear biblical injunction to care for one's elderly parents. In ancient Israelite society, honoring parents was not merely a suggestion but a cornerstone of familial and societal structure, deeply rooted in the Decalogue and reinforced throughout the Law. The family unit was the primary social and economic safety net, and neglecting parents was considered a profound moral and religious transgression, as evidenced by the severe penalties prescribed in the Mosaic Law.
* **Key Themes:** [Matthew 15:4](/matthew/15-4 "Matthew 15:4 - Jesus Quotes the Law") powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Matthew's Gospel and biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights the **Divine Authority Over Human Tradition**, emphasizing that God's explicit commands take precedence over man-made rules or interpretations that undermine them. Jesus consistently challenges the Pharisees' legalism, asserting that true righteousness stems from a heart obedient to God's revealed will, not from external rituals or traditions that contradict His law (compare [Mark 7:8-13](/mark/7-8-13 "Mark 7:8-13 - Jesus Condemns Pharisaic Traditions")). Secondly, the verse reinforces the **Enduring Importance of the Fifth Commandment**, underscoring the timeless obligation to honor and care for one's parents. This commandment is foundational to both the Old and New Covenants, signifying respect, provision, and care for those who gave life and nurtured. Lastly, it exposes the **Gravity of Hypocrisy and Disregard for God's Heart**, revealing how outward religious observance can mask an inward spiritual corruption and a neglect of fundamental moral duties. Jesus' critique is not merely about specific practices but about the spiritual condition that prioritizes self-serving interpretations over genuine love and obedience to God and neighbor, a theme echoed throughout the Sermon on the Mount (e.g., [Matthew 6:1-6](/matthew/6-1-6 "Matthew 6:1-6 - True Righteousness")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **commanded (Greek, _entéllomai'_):** This verb signifies to "enjoin," "give charge," or "give commandments." Its use here emphasizes that the instruction to honor parents is not a mere suggestion or a human custom, but a direct, authoritative directive from God Himself. It highlights the divine origin and binding nature of the law Jesus cites.
* **Honour (Greek, _timáō'_):** Derived from a word meaning "to prize" or "fix a valuation upon," _timáō_ encompasses more than mere respect. It implies active reverence, valuing, and providing for, particularly in a material sense. In the context of parents, it means to care for them, provide for their needs, and show them due deference, especially as they age. This word underscores the comprehensive nature of the command, requiring both attitude and action.
* **curseth (Greek, _kakologéō'_):** This compound word, meaning "to speak evil of" or "to revile," describes the act of verbally abusing or slandering one's parents. The severity of the penalty associated with this act in the Old Testament Law highlights how profoundly dishonoring such speech was considered in God's eyes, striking at the very foundation of familial and societal order.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother:"** Jesus begins by asserting the divine origin of the command, directly attributing it to God. This immediately elevates the instruction above any human tradition or interpretation. The command to "Honour thy father and mother" is a direct quotation of the Fifth Commandment from the Decalogue ([Exodus 20:12](/exodus/20-12 "Exodus 20:12 - The Fifth Commandment"); [Deuteronomy 5:16](/deuteronomy/5-16 "Deuteronomy 5:16 - The Ten Commandments")). This honor encompasses not only respect and obedience in childhood but also care, provision, and support in their old age, reflecting a deep valuing of their role and person.
* **"and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death."** Jesus continues by quoting the severe penalty associated with extreme disrespect for parents from the Mosaic Law ([Exodus 21:17](/exodus/21-17 "Exodus 21:17 - Penalty for Cursing Parents"); [Leviticus 20:9](/leviticus/20-9 "Leviticus 20:9 - Penalty for Cursing Parents")). The phrase "let him die the death" is a Hebrew idiom (a "cognate accusative") translated into Greek, emphasizing the certainty and severity of the capital punishment. By citing this, Jesus highlights the profound seriousness of dishonoring parents in God's eyes, underscoring that their tradition of "Corban" was not merely a minor deviation but a direct violation of a command punishable by death under the Law.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 15:4 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey Jesus' powerful message. **Quotation/Allusion** is central, as Jesus directly quotes from the Old Testament Law ([Exodus 20:12](/exodus/20-12 "Exodus 20:12 - The Fifth Commandment") and [Exodus 21:17](/exodus/21-17 "Exodus 21:17 - Penalty for Cursing Parents")), lending divine authority and irrefutable weight to His argument against the Pharisees' traditions. This serves as a powerful rhetorical move, using their own sacred texts to expose their error. **Juxtaposition** is also evident, as Jesus places God's clear, ancient command ("Honour thy father and mother") in stark contrast with the Pharisees' tradition of "Corban," which effectively nullified that command. This contrast highlights the spiritual conflict between divine truth and human perversion. Furthermore, the inclusion of the severe penalty ("let him die the death") serves as a form of **Hyperbole** in the immediate context of the New Covenant, not to suggest literal application of capital punishment, but to powerfully underscore the extreme gravity of the sin of dishonoring parents in God's eyes and the depth of the Pharisees' transgression.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 15:4 profoundly reveals God's unchanging standard of righteousness, which prioritizes genuine obedience to His revealed will over external religious performance or self-serving traditions. The command to honor parents is not merely a cultural norm but a divine imperative, foundational to human flourishing and a reflection of God's own character. It underscores that true piety involves practical love and care for those God has placed in our lives, especially family, and that neglecting such duties, even under the guise of religious devotion, is a serious affront to God Himself. This passage serves as a timeless warning against hypocrisy and the danger of allowing human interpretations to supersede or nullify God's clear Word.

* [Exodus 20:12](/exodus/20-12 "Exodus 20:12 - The Fifth Commandment")
* [Ephesians 6:2-3](/ephesians/6-2-3 "Ephesians 6:2-3 - Paul's Exhortation to Children")
* [Colossians 3:20](/colossians/3-20 "Colossians 3:20 - Children Obey Your Parents")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 15:4 serves as a powerful and enduring call for believers to examine their hearts and practices, ensuring that their devotion to God is genuine and expressed through obedience to His clear commands, rather than through man-made traditions that might inadvertently nullify His will. This passage challenges us to prioritize God's Word above all human customs, preferences, or even seemingly pious acts that contradict the spirit of His law. The command to honor parents remains vitally relevant, calling us to show respect, provide practical support, and maintain loving relationships with our parents, especially as they age. It reminds us that true faith is demonstrated not merely by outward religious observance, but by a sincere commitment to God's heart, which includes caring for those He has placed in our lives. We are called to live with integrity, ensuring that our actions align with our professed faith, avoiding the hypocrisy that Jesus so strongly condemned.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be prioritizing human traditions or personal preferences over the clear commands of God's Word?**
* **How am I actively demonstrating honor and care for my parents (or parental figures) in practical ways, reflecting the comprehensive meaning of "honor"?**
* **What "Corban"-like practices or justifications might I be using to excuse myself from responsibilities that God clearly intends for me to fulfill?**
* **How can I cultivate a heart that seeks to truly obey God's will, rather than merely adhering to external religious rituals?**

### FAQ
**What was the "Corban" tradition, and why did Jesus condemn it?**

Answer: The "Corban" tradition (from the Hebrew word `qorban`, meaning "a gift dedicated to God") was a vow by which an individual could declare their property or resources as consecrated to God. While the intention might have been pious, some interpretations and applications of this tradition, particularly by the Pharisees, allowed individuals to dedicate their assets to God in such a way that they could then claim they were unable to use those assets to support their needy parents. Jesus condemned this practice because it effectively nullified the clear divine commandment to "Honour thy father and mother" ([Matthew 15:4](/matthew/15-4 "Matthew 15:4 - Jesus Quotes the Law"); [Exodus 20:12](/exodus/20-12 "Exodus 20:12 - The Fifth Commandment")). He saw it as a man-made tradition that enabled people to avoid their God-given responsibilities under the guise of religious devotion, prioritizing ritual over genuine love and obedience to God's heart ([Mark 7:10-13](/mark/7-10-13 "Mark 7:10-13 - Jesus Condemns Corban")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 15:4, with its emphasis on divine command, obedience, and the honoring of parents, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment. Jesus Himself is the ultimate embodiment of perfect obedience to the Father, declaring that He came not to abolish the Law but to fulfill it ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Christ Fulfills the Law")). His entire life was an act of honoring His heavenly Father, culminating in His obedient sacrifice on the cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")). In His earthly life, Jesus also honored His human parents, Mary and Joseph, submitting to their authority as a child ([Luke 2:51](/luke/2-51 "Luke 2:51 - Jesus' Obedience to Parents")). Furthermore, Christ's teaching consistently elevated the spirit of the Law above its mere letter, exposing the hypocrisy of those who outwardly appeared religious but inwardly neglected the weightier matters of the Law—justice, mercy, and faithfulness ([Matthew 23:23](/matthew/23-23 "Matthew 23:23 - Woe to the Scribes and Pharisees")). Through His perfect life, atoning death, and resurrection, Jesus frees us from the burden of human traditions that nullify God's Word, enabling us by His Spirit to truly honor God and, by extension, to live out the comprehensive command to honor our parents, not out of legalistic compulsion, but out of a transformed heart that desires to please the Father and reflect His love ([John 14:15](/john/14-15 "John 14:15 - Obedience as Love")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Exodus 20:12

¶ Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

Exodus 21:17

And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.

Leviticus 20:9

For every one that curseth his father or his mother shall be surely put to death: he hath cursed his father or his mother; his blood [shall be] upon him.

Deuteronomy 5:16

Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

Deuteronomy 21:18

¶ If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and [that], when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them:

Deuteronomy 21:21

And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear.

Leviticus 19:3

Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father, and keep my sabbaths: I [am] the LORD your God.