Mark 7:11

But 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),

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Jesus addresses the religious leaders who have elevated their traditions over God’s command to honor parents. He speaks this during a confrontation in Mark 7 about ritual purity and human commandments.

The words — The text highlights Corban, a Greek term for a vow dedicating property or resources to God. Jesus also uses ὑμεῖς (hymeis, “you yourselves”) and λέγετε (legete, “you say”) to mark the contrast between divine law and human tradition.

The thread — This teaching on dedicating resources to God appears in Matthew 15:5 and connects to the principle of honoring parents in 1 Timothy 5:4. The parallel tradition regarding vows to the altar is noted in Matthew 23:18.

Why it lands — The text states that declaring resources as Corban legally frees a person from providing for their parents. It demands that readers examine whether their religious practices obstruct their practical care for family.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free.

Cross-references

Matthew 23:18 And you say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gift on it, he is bound by his oath.’
1 Timothy 5:4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to show godliness to their own family and repay their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.
Matthew 15:5 But you say that if anyone says to his father or mother, ‘Whatever you would have received from me is a gift devoted to God,’