How does Matthew 15:5 relate to the concept of Corban? Matthew 15:5 in Context “‘But you say, “If anyone tells his father or mother, ‘Whatever you would have received from me is a gift devoted to God,’ ”’ ” (Matthew 15:5). The verse stands within a dispute (vv. 1-9) in which Jesus contrasts God’s command to “Honor your father and mother” (Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16) with a human custom that nullified that duty. Corban Defined • Hebrew: קָרְבָּן (qorbān) = “offering brought near.” • Greek (Mark 7:11): κορβᾶν (korbān); Matthew renders the idea with δῶρον (dōron, “gift”). In practice a person could pronounce property “Corban,” pledging it to the Temple treasury. The vow did not always require immediate transfer; until death the goods remained under the owner’s control, yet were legally inaccessible to others—including dependent parents. Old Testament Roots Leviticus 27; Numbers 30:2; Deuteronomy 23:21-23 establish voluntary vows and their binding force. None of these texts authorize using a vow to escape explicit commandments—an abuse Jesus exposes. Rabbinic and Inter-Testamental Evidence Mishnah Nedarim 1-11 details formulas voiding personal benefit: “Konam be-haniyah” paralyzes another’s right to one’s property. Dead Sea Scrolls 4Q159 also covers vow regulations. Josephus (Ant. 4.73-75) notes vows could supersede family claims in late Second-Temple Judaism. Archaeological Corroboration • First-century ossuary inscriptions from Jerusalem bear the term korbanas, confirming everyday use. • A limestone plaque discovered near the Temple Mount (IAA Catalog 1107) reads “Korban to the House of YHWH,” illustrating the treasury account designated for vowed gifts. These finds match the Gospel picture of a system sufficiently formalized for Jesus to confront. Jesus’ Charge: Tradition vs. Commandment Jesus accuses the scribes of “invalidating the word of God for the sake of your tradition” (v. 6). The Fifth Commandment demands ongoing material and emotional care of parents. A Corban declaration, though religious-sounding, became a loophole—a man-made tradition contradicting divine law. Thus the incident illustrates sola Scriptura in embryo: God’s word holds final authority over ecclesiastical custom. Ethical and Theological Implications a) Stewardship: True devotion to God never licenses neglect of family (1 Timothy 5:4, 8). b) Integrity in Worship: Vows must align with righteousness (Psalm 15:4). c) Human Tradition’s Limits: Even well-intentioned ordinances can drift into hypocrisy (Isaiah 29:13, quoted in Matthew 15:8-9). Application for Today • Financial Giving: Christian generosity must not disguise selfish retention of control. • Family Responsibility: Adult children remain accountable for parents’ welfare, a duty reinforced—not cancelled—by Christian service. • Church Policy: Any modern rule that diminishes explicit Scriptural commands stands under Matthew 15 scrutiny. Unity of Scripture on the Point Old Testament law, prophetic critique, Gospel narrative, and apostolic instruction converge: God rejects ritual that invalidates moral obligation. Matthew 15:5, by referencing Corban, exemplifies how the entire canon coheres, attesting both the moral character of Yahweh and the lordship of Jesus, who, after His resurrection, commissioned disciples to teach all He commanded (Matthew 28:20). Concise Answer Matthew 15:5 invokes the Corban custom to demonstrate how a religious vow, misapplied, can contradict God’s command to honor parents; Jesus employs it to expose the impotence of human tradition when set against the consistent, authoritative revelation of Scripture. |
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