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;

Matthew 15:5 (KJV)

Context

In Matthew 15, Pharisees and scribes from Jerusalem confront Jesus because His disciples do not follow the tradition of ceremonial handwashing before eating. Jesus responds by exposing their hypocrisy: they nullify God’s commandments through their own traditions. They practiced “Corban,” declaring possessions as dedicated to God, which exempted them from using those resources to support their parents, violating the command to honor father and mother.

Meaning

In verse 5, Jesus references a hypothetical person saying to a parent, “It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me.” The word “gift” is “corban,” a Hebrew term for an offering dedicated to God. Declaring property as corban meant it was devoted to God, and the person was then considered free from using it to help their parents. The parallel in Mark 7:11-12 clarifies that after such a declaration, religious leaders would not allow the person to do anything further for their father or mother.

Biblical connections

Jesus condemns this practice because it uses a religious vow to evade a clear moral duty. The dedication of property to God was not inherently wrong, but it became sinful when used to avoid caring for one’s parents. Human tradition, even when it appears pious, cannot override the clear commandments of God. The religious leaders had made the word of God of no effect through their tradition.

Application

This passage highlights the importance of prioritizing God’s commandments over human traditions. True religion does not consist in outward rituals or clever loopholes but in obedience to God’s moral law, which includes honoring and providing for one’s parents. It warns against using religious language or practices to justify neglecting our God-given responsibilities.

Reflection

Matthew 15:5 exposes the hypocrisy of using religious devotion to evade family duties. It reminds us to examine our hearts, ensuring our actions align with genuine love and obedience to God.