Matthew 15:4

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

This verse is part of a larger discourse between Jesus and the religious leaders of his time. The Pharisees and scribes questioned Jesus about his disciples’ failure to follow the tradition of handwashing before eating. Jesus responded by criticizing their focus on external rituals while neglecting the weightier matters of the heart and the true intention behind God’s commandments.

In Matthew 15:4, Jesus quotes the fifth commandment from the Old Testament (Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16), which states, “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” The commandment emphasizes the importance of showing respect, obedience, and care towards one’s parents.

By quoting this commandment, Jesus highlights the hypocrisy of the religious leaders who were disregarding their responsibility to honor and care for their parents. Instead of fulfilling their obligations, some of them were using a practice called “Corban” to avoid supporting their parents financially. This practice involved declaring their possessions as dedicated to God, making them inaccessible for any other use, including supporting their aging parents. In doing so, they were neglecting the commandment to honor their parents.

The second part of the verse, “He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death,” refers to the punishment prescribed in the Mosaic Law for those who dishonored their parents. Under the law, cursing or speaking disrespectfully to one’s parents was considered a severe offense deserving of capital punishment. This verse underscores the gravity of honoring one’s parents and serves as a reminder of the severity with which God views such actions.

It is important to note that Jesus’ purpose in quoting this verse was not to endorse or enforce the Mosaic Law’s penalty but to expose the hypocrisy and distorted priorities of the religious leaders. Jesus frequently used the Old Testament commandments to teach about the true intentions of God’s law and the importance of sincere obedience from the heart.

As we reflect on Matthew 15:4, we can draw several practical lessons:

The command to honor our parents extends beyond mere outward gestures; it encompasses a heart attitude of respect, care, and support. Neglecting our responsibilities towards our parents or dishonoring them is contrary to God’s commandments and displeasing to Him.

Jesus prioritized the principles of love, mercy, and justice over rigid adherence to external rituals and regulations. The focus should be on internal transformation and genuine obedience rather than legalistic observance.

Recognizing and repenting of our own hypocrisy is essential, as Jesus pointed out the hypocrisy of the religious leaders in this passage. Ultimately, this verse highlights the importance of honoring our parents and demonstrates Jesus’ teachings on true righteousness and sincere obedience to God’s commandments.