Devine Scripture

Mark 7:11

What does Mark 7:11 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 7:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 7:11 means

Jesus explains how the leaders’ teaching works: a person can declare goods as Corban—devoted to God—thereby avoiding using them to help parents. This legalistic declaration becomes a loophole to neglect filial responsibility. Jesus exposes how a pious-sounding formula can serve selfish aims, enabling a person to refuse support for parents while claiming religious devotion. The example shows how traditions can be weaponized to evade moral duties under the cover of religious language.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

but ye say, If a man shall say to his father or his mother, That wherewith thou mightest have been profited by me is Corban, that is to say, Given to God;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

but ye say, If a man shall say to his father or his mother, That wherewith thou mightest have been profited by me is Corban, that is to say, 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 Corban, that is to say, Given to God,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and ye say, If a man may say to father or to mother, Korban (that is, a gift), <FI>is<Fi> whatever thou mayest be profited out of mine,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But you say: If a man shall say to his father or mother, Corban (which is a gift) whatsoever is from me shall profit thee.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But ye say, If a man say to his father or his mother, [It is] corban (that is, gift), whatsoever thou mightest have profit from me by...

Context

Following the citation of Moses, this verse gives the practical mechanism by which tradition undermines God’s command. It moves the argument from abstract priority to concrete social harm, preparing the reader for Jesus’ saying that such practices make the word of God void.

v.10For Moses said, Honor thy father and thy mother; and, He that speaketh evil of father or mother, let him die the death:

v.11This passage

v.12ye no longer suffer him to do aught for his father or his mother;

Cross references

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

  • Matthew 15:5

    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;

  • 1 Timothy 5:4

    But if any widow hath children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety towards their own family, and to requite their parents: for this is acceptable in the sight of God.

  • Matthew 23:18

    And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gift that is upon it, he is a debtor.

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