Devine Scripture

Matthew 15:4

What does Matthew 15:4 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 15:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 15:4 means

Jesus provides a specific example of the Pharisees' transgression, referencing the Fifth Commandment: "Honor thy father and thy mother." He also recalls the severe Old Testament penalty for dishonoring parents, death, highlighting the gravity of this divine law. By quoting God's explicit command, Jesus lays the groundwork for demonstrating how the Pharisees' traditions directly violated this non-negotiable principle, revealing their spiritual blindness and misdirection of priorities. This verse underscores the divine origin of the command.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For God said, Give honour to your father and mother: and, He who says evil of father or mother will be put to death.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for God did command, saying, Honour thy father and mother; and, He who is speaking evil of father or mother--let him die the death;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Honour thy father and mother: And: He that shall curse father or mother, let him die the death.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

ForGod commanded saying, Honour father and mother; and, He that speaks ill of father or mother, let him die the death.

Context

Following Jesus's general challenge to the Pharisees in verse 3, this verse provides the foundational biblical command for His specific illustration. It establishes the divine authority and importance of honoring parents, which the Pharisees' tradition, discussed in the next verse, directly undermined. This verse is crucial for understanding the depth of the Pharisees' error as exposed by Jesus.

v.3And he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?

v.4This passage

v.5But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, That wherewith thou mightest have been profited by me is given to God;

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Proverbs 30:17

    The eye that mocketh at his father, And despiseth to obey his mother, The ravens of the valley shall pick it out, And the young eagles shall eat it.

  • Romans 3:31

    Do we then make the law of none effect through faith? God forbid: nay, we establish the law.

  • Deuteronomy 5:16

    Honor thy father and thy mother, as Jehovah thy God commanded thee; that thy days may be long, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which Jehovah thy God giveth thee.

  • Matthew 5:17

    Think not that I came to destroy the law or the prophets: I came not to destroy, but to fulfil.

  • Ephesians 6:1

    Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

  • Leviticus 19:3

    Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father; and ye shall keep my sabbaths: I am Jehovah your God.

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