Matthew 15:5

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

But {G1161} ye {G5210} say {G3004}, Whosoever {G3739}{G302} shall say {G2036} to his father {G3962} or {G2228} his mother {G3384}, It is a gift {G1435}, by {G1537} whatsoever {G3739}{G1437} thou mightest be profited {G5623} by me {G1700};

But you say, `If anyone says to his father or mother, "I have promised to give to God what I might have used to help you,"

But you say that if anyone says to his father or mother, ‘Whatever you would have received from me is a gift devoted to God,’

But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, That wherewith thou mightest have been profited by me is given to God;

In Matthew 15:5, Jesus exposes the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and scribes, highlighting how their man-made traditions undermined God's divine commandments. This verse is part of a broader discourse where Jesus confronts religious leaders who prioritize external rituals over the true spirit of the law.

Context

This verse is found within a powerful exchange between Jesus and the religious authorities who questioned why His disciples did not follow the tradition of ceremonial handwashing before eating (Matthew 15:2). Jesus counters their criticism by exposing how they themselves violated God's law through their traditions. Specifically, He points to their practice concerning the "Corban" vow.

The Fifth Commandment clearly states, "Honour thy father and thy mother" (Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16), which implicitly includes providing for them, especially in their old age or need. However, the Pharisees taught that if a person declared their resources as "Corban" (a gift dedicated to God), they were then exempt from using those resources to support their parents. This allowed individuals to avoid their filial duties under the guise of religious devotion.

Key Themes

  • Religious Hypocrisy: The verse powerfully reveals the Pharisees' hypocrisy, as they found a loophole to neglect a fundamental moral and divine command (honoring parents) while maintaining an outward appearance of piety. Their traditions nullified God's word (Matthew 15:6).
  • The Spirit vs. The Letter of the Law: Jesus emphasizes that true obedience involves understanding the heart and intent behind God's commandments, not just adhering to rigid rules or finding ways to circumvent them. The Corban practice was a perversion of a good principle (dedicating gifts to God) to avoid a higher duty.
  • Honoring Parents: The enduring importance of caring for and supporting one's parents is underscored. This is not merely a social custom but a divine mandate with a promise (Ephesians 6:2-3).

Linguistic Insights

The word "gift" in this verse translates the Greek doron (δῶρον), which here directly refers to the Hebrew term Corban (קָרְבָּן). Corban literally means "an offering" or "a gift dedicated to God." While dedicating gifts to God was a legitimate and commendable act, the issue here was the *misapplication* of this principle. It became a convenient excuse to neglect family responsibilities, which was never God's intention for such vows.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a timeless warning against prioritizing man-made rules or even seemingly spiritual commitments over fundamental moral obligations. It challenges believers to examine their own lives:

  • Are our religious practices or spiritual declarations truly honoring to God, or are they sometimes a convenient way to avoid uncomfortable responsibilities, especially within our families?
  • Do we prioritize outward piety or the genuine care and love for those God has placed in our lives?
  • The passage reminds us of the enduring biblical principle to care for our own household, especially our parents, as a vital expression of our faith.

Ultimately, Jesus calls for a faith that is authentic, practical, and rooted in the true love for God and neighbor, rather than a superficial adherence to traditions that neglect the weightier matters of the law.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Mark 7:10

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

  • Mark 7:13

    Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

  • Acts 5:29

    Then Peter and the [other] apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

  • Matthew 23:16

    Woe unto you, [ye] blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!

  • Matthew 23:18

    And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty.

  • Acts 4:19

    But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.

  • Leviticus 27:9

    And if [it be] a beast, whereof men bring an offering unto the LORD, all that [any man] giveth of such unto the LORD shall be holy.

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