How does Mark 7:12 connect with the commandment to honor father and mother? Setting and Text of Mark 7:12 “You no longer let him do anything for his father or mother.” (Mark 7:12) The Fifth Commandment Revisited • “Honor your father and mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.” (Exodus 20:12) • Repeated in Deuteronomy 5:16 and affirmed in the New Testament (Ephesians 6:2). The Corban Tradition Jesus Confronts • “Corban” = a vow declaring money or property “devoted to God.” • Religious leaders allowed a person to pronounce this vow and thereby withhold material help from aging parents. • By sanctioning the vow, they nullified the clear biblical duty to honor and support father and mother (cf. 1 Timothy 5:3-4, 8). How Mark 7:12 Violates the Commandment • The command to honor parents includes practical care—food, shelter, financial support (Proverbs 23:22). • Mark 7:12 shows leaders “no longer let him do anything” for parents; authority is misused to override God’s law. • Jesus exposes the contradiction: a man’s oath is treated as weightier than God’s explicit command, turning piety into disobedience. Key Connections • Both passages center on tangible deeds, not mere sentiment; honor is proven through action. • Mark 7:12 highlights how human traditions can mask selfishness, whereas the Fifth Commandment calls for sacrificial love. • Jesus affirms the timeless authority of Scripture—tradition must bow to God’s written word. Living It Out Today • Prioritize parental care above optional religious pledges or projects. • Evaluate traditions or personal preferences that may hinder obedience to clear biblical commands. • Honor parents with resources, time, and respect, reflecting God’s heart for family and fulfilling His enduring command. |
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