How does Mark 7:10 connect with the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20:12? Setting the Scene in Mark 7 Jesus is confronting the Pharisees for allowing a man-made tradition (“Corban”) to cancel a clear command of God. To drive the point home, He quotes Moses: • Mark 7:10 – “For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’” • The first clause comes straight from the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:12). • The second clause comes from the civil penalty attached in Exodus 21:17 and Leviticus 20:9. Direct Echo of the Fifth Commandment Exodus 20:12 – “Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.” • “Honor” is the same verb in both Hebrew (kabed) and the Greek translation Jesus and His hearers knew. • Jesus treats the command as timeless, universal, and non-negotiable—no tradition can override it. Jesus’ Purpose in Quoting Moses • To affirm the continuing authority of the Decalogue. • To expose hypocrisy: the Pharisees claimed loyalty to Scripture yet nullified it by loopholes. • To show that real obedience is not merely external observance but heartfelt alignment with God’s Word. The Weight of “Honor” Across Scripture • Deuteronomy 5:16 restates the fifth commandment for the new generation. • Ephesians 6:1-3 and Colossians 3:20 carry the command into the church age, attaching promise and blessing. • Proverbs 1:8; 23:22 highlight lifelong respect for parents. • By pairing Exodus 20:12 with the severe penalty from Exodus 21:17, Jesus reminds listeners that dishonor is no trivial matter. How the Two Passages Interlock 1. Same source—Moses speaking God’s unchanging Word. 2. Same focus—valuing parental authority as God-delegated. 3. Same seriousness—life and blessing hinge on obedience. 4. Same application—human tradition must never dilute divine command. Practical Implications for Believers Today • Honor begins with attitude and flows into speech, care, and financial support. • Family relationships are a proving ground for genuine faith (1 Timothy 5:4). • Upholding the fifth commandment protects the fabric of society, demonstrating love for both God and neighbor. |
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