Bible Strands
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,’
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses the Pharisees and scribes during a direct confrontation over ritual traditions. He exposes their teaching that permits children to withhold financial support from aging parents by declaring those resources "devoted to God."
The words — ὑμεῖς (humeis) translates to "you yourselves," isolating the speakers as the source of the claim, while λέγετε (legete) means "you say," marking human tradition against divine command.
The thread — The underlying command to honor parents appears in Mark 7:10, while the clash between divine authority and human tradition resurfaces in Acts 5:29 and Matthew 23:16.
Why it lands — The text states that a religious vow cannot override a clear biblical command, and it demands readers reject any tradition that functionally nullifies explicit scriptural mandates.
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, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;
Cross-references
- 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.’
- Acts 5:29 But Peter and the other apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men.
- Matthew 23:16 Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’
- Leviticus 27:9 If he vows an animal that may be brought as an offering to the LORD, any such animal given to the LORD shall be holy.
- Amos 7:15 But the LORD took me from following the flock and said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to My people Israel.’
- Acts 4:19 But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than God.
- Proverbs 20:25 It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly, only later to reconsider his vows.