Matthew 15:6
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.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
μὴ
G3361
μὴ
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
3 of 21
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
τιμήσῃ
honour
G5091
τιμήσῃ
honour
Strong's:
G5091
Word #:
4 of 21
to prize, i.e., fix a valuation upon; by implication, to revere
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πατέρα
father
G3962
πατέρα
father
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
6 of 21
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
αὐτοῦ·
G846
αὐτοῦ·
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
7 of 21
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μητέρα
mother
G3384
μητέρα
mother
Strong's:
G3384
Word #:
10 of 21
a "mother" (literally or figuratively, immediate or remote)
αὐτοῦ·
G846
αὐτοῦ·
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
11 of 21
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
12 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐντολὴν
the commandment
G1785
ἐντολὴν
the commandment
Strong's:
G1785
Word #:
15 of 21
injunction, i.e., an authoritative prescription
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ
of God
G2316
θεοῦ
of God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
17 of 21
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
διὰ
by
G1223
διὰ
by
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
18 of 21
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
1 Timothy 5:8But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.Psalms 119:126It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thy law.Jeremiah 8:8How do ye say, We are wise, and the law of the LORD is with us? Lo, certainly in vain made he it; the pen of the scribes is in vain.
Historical Context
Corban (Hebrew 'korban,' meaning 'offering') was a vow formula. By declaring possessions 'Corban,' one could claim they were dedicated to God and therefore unavailable for parental support. The Mishnah later tried to restrict this abuse (Nedarim 9:1), acknowledging the problem Jesus identified.
Questions for Reflection
- How might religious giving or service become an excuse to avoid family responsibilities?
- What does honoring God truly require versus what religious culture demands?
- How can you detect when tradition contradicts Scripture's plain meaning?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The 'Corban' practice allowed dedicating money to the temple, thereby avoiding responsibility to support parents—directly violating the fifth commandment. Jesus exposes how religious tradition can 'make void' (Greek 'akuroo'—nullify, invalidate) God's command. Reformed theology sees here the danger of works-righteousness: using religious activity to evade moral obligation. The indictment is severe: tradition that contradicts Scripture cancels divine law's authority, a form of spiritual rebellion disguised as piety.