Mark 7:9-13
A Loophole Called Corban
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9He went on to say, “You neatly set aside the command of God to maintain your own tradition.
10For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’
11But you say that if a man says to his father or mother, ‘Whatever you would have received from me is Corban’ (that is, a gift devoted to God),
12he is no longer permitted to do anything for his father or mother.
13Thus you nullify the word of God by the tradition you have handed down. And you do so in many such matters.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Jesus gives a concrete example of tradition displacing God’s Word. Moses commands people to honor their father and mother and treats cursing them as a grave offense. Honor has practical consequences for how parents are treated.
Against that command, Jesus sets the practice of Corban. Mark explains the word as a gift devoted to God. Someone can declare that what a parent might have received from him is devoted in this way, and the tradition then prevents him from using it to help his parents.
The religious declaration has become a means of withholding care. Jesus does not say the person is right by every standard but unfortunate in the outcome. He says God’s Word has been nullified. Keeping the human rule is serving disobedience to the divine command.
The example exposes a serious confusion about devotion. We cannot honor God by using His name to escape what He has told us to do. A declaration that sounds generous does not make neglect faithful.
Jesus adds that His hearers do many such things. The problem is broader than one vow: a tradition has acquired authority to cancel the Word it should serve. His correction brings attention back to God’s command and to the parents whose care has been withheld.
How We Know
Exodus commands honor for father and mother and names a severe penalty for cursing them. Jesus cites those commands before describing Corban. The comparison establishes His charge: the tradition obstructs an obligation God has already given.
Questions
1 Which command does Jesus place first?
AnswerThe command to honor father and mother, alongside the serious prohibition against cursing them. It establishes the duty against which the practice is judged.
2 What does Corban mean in Mark’s explanation?
AnswerA gift devoted to God. In the example, the declaration is used to make resources unavailable for helping a parent.
3 Why is keeping this tradition still disobedience?
AnswerIt sets aside God’s command to honor parents. A human rule cannot make neglect right by giving it religious language.
4 How might a religious commitment become an excuse for neglect?
AnswerWe might use a chosen activity to avoid a responsibility God has already given us. Examine whether our commitments support faithful care or repeatedly leave someone’s real need unanswered.
What This Means for Us
God’s commands should shape our commitments to Him. Giving time or money to a good cause does not automatically excuse neglect of people entrusted to our care. Consider the needs that a preferred activity makes easy to overlook.
Honoring a parent can involve practical support, respectful speech and thoughtful decisions about care. It does not require complying with wrongdoing or abandoning necessary protection. Seek wise help where the relationship is difficult, and let God’s Word guide the responsibility rather than a convenient excuse.
Prayer
Father, forgive us for using good things to excuse neglected duties. Show us the care You have placed before us. Give us wisdom in difficult family relationships and honesty in the commitments we make to You. Amen.