Devine Scripture

Matthew 15:6

What does Matthew 15:6 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 15:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 15:6 means

Jesus plainly states the outcome of their tradition: by prioritizing their man-made rule, they effectively nullified or made void God's clear commandment to honor one's father and mother. This verse delivers a powerful indictment, showing that their elaborate religious system, while appearing pious, actually led people away from true obedience to God's word. It highlights the spiritual danger of elevating human customs above divine revelation, exposing the core of their hypocrisy.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

There is no need for him to give honour to his father. And you have made the word of God without effect because of your teaching.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and he may not honour his father or his mother, and ye did set aside the command of God because of your tradition.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he shall not honour his father or his mother: and you have made void the commandment of God for your tradition.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and he shall in no wise honour his father or his mother; and ye have made void the commandment ofGod on account of your traditional teaching.

Context

This verse delivers the devastating conclusion of Jesus's argument, directly linking the Pharisees' tradition (introduced in verse 5) to their transgression of God's commandment (presented in verse 4). It is a stark pronouncement of their spiritual failure and serves as a powerful summary of why their adherence to tradition was so dangerous. This condemnation then leads into Jesus's public rebuke in the next verse.

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;

v.6This passage

v.7Ye hypocrites, well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying,

Cross references

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

  • Malachi 2:7

    For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth; for he is the messenger of Jehovah of hosts.

  • 1 Timothy 5:3

    Honor widows that are widows indeed.

  • 1 Timothy 5:8

    But if any provideth not for his own, and specially his own household, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.

  • Jeremiah 8:8

    How do ye say, We are wise, and the law of Jehovah is with us? But, behold, the false pen of the scribes hath wrought falsely.

  • Romans 3:31

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

  • Mark 7:13

    making void the word of God by your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things ye do.

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