Devine Scripture

Matthew 15:5

What does Matthew 15:5 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 15:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 15:5 means

Jesus exposes the specific tradition by which the Pharisees circumvented God's command to honor parents. They taught that if a person declared their assets or resources as "given to God" (Corban), even if it was a mere verbal pledge, they were then excused from using those resources to support their needy parents. This legalistic loophole, a human invention, allowed individuals to neglect their familial duties under the guise of piety, directly contradicting the spirit and letter of God's command to honor parents.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But you say, If a man says to his father or his mother, That by which you might have had profit from me is given to God;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

but ye say, Whoever may say to father or mother, An offering <FI>is<Fi> whatever thou mayest be profited by me; --

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But you say: Whosoever shall say to father or mother, The gift whatsoever proceedeth from me, shall profit thee.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or mother, It is a gift, whatsoever [it be] by which [received] from me thou wouldest be profited:

Context

Building on the divine command presented in verse 4, this verse reveals the specific Pharisaic tradition that directly violated that command. It provides the concrete example Jesus uses to illustrate their hypocrisy, demonstrating how their man-made rules provided an escape from God-given responsibilities. This explanation sets up Jesus's forthright condemnation in the subsequent verse.

v.4For God said, Honor thy father and thy mother: and, He that speaketh evil of father or mother, let him die the death.

v.5This passage

v.6he shall not honor his father. And ye have made void the word of God because of your tradition.

Cross references

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

  • Proverbs 20:25

    It is a snare to a man rashly to say, It is holy, And after vows to make inquiry.

  • Amos 7:15

    and Jehovah took me from following the flock, and Jehovah said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel.

  • Acts 5:29

    But Peter and the apostles answered and said, We must obey God rather than men.

  • Matthew 23:16

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

  • Acts 4:19

    But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it is right in the sight of God to hearken unto you rather than unto God, judge ye:

  • Mark 7:10

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

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