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.”

Context:In Matthew 15, Jesus is confronted by the Pharisees and scribes who traveled from Jerusalem to question him. They noticed that Jesus’ disciples did not follow the tradition of ceremonial handwashing before eating, which was a practice the Jewish leaders had established. The Pharisees and scribes considered this a violation of their traditions and asked Jesus about it.

Pharisees and Scribes’ accusation:In response to their question, Jesus turns the tables and confronts the Pharisees and scribes about their own transgressions. He accuses them of disregarding God’s commandments in favour of their own traditions. They had a practice called “Corban” where someone could declare their possessions as dedicated to God and exempt them from using them to support their parents. By doing this, they neglected their responsibility to honour and care for their parents, which was a direct violation of the commandment to honour one’s father and mother (Exodus 20:12).

Jesus’ rebuke:In Matthew 15:4-6, Jesus quotes the commandment from Exodus 20:12, which states, “Honor thy father and mother.” He then exposes the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and scribes, who disregarded this commandment. In verse 5, Jesus references a hypothetical situation where someone would say to their father or mother, “It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me.” This implies that they would declare their possessions as dedicated to God (Corban) instead of using them to support their parents. Essentially, they were neglecting their responsibilities by hiding behind their religious traditions.

Lessons for us:This passage highlights the importance of prioritising God’s commandments over human traditions. Jesus emphasises that true worship of God involves obedience to His Word and genuine love for others. Neglecting one’s family responsibilities under the guise of religious practices is unacceptable. It is a reminder for us to examine our hearts and ensure that our actions align with the principles of love, compassion, and honouring God in our relationships.

• Conclusion:Matthew 15:5, within the context of Jesus’ dialogue with the Pharisees and scribes, exposes their hypocrisy in neglecting their parents by using the tradition of Corban. It serves as a reminder to prioritise God’s commandments and to ensure that our actions align with genuine love and obedience to Him.