Mat 15:4-6 | MHM | STEP | v. 4 : For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. Jesus reminded them that God’s law says to honor your parents and that cursing parents is a serious sin (Exodus 20:12; Exodus 21:17 ).

‏ Matthew 15:4-6

v. 4: For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. Jesus reminded them that God’s law says to honor your parents and that cursing parents is a serious sin (Exodus 20:12; Exodus 21:17 ^a).

v. 5: But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; But the Pharisees taught that if someone told their parents that their help was a “gift” dedicated to God, they didn’t have to help their parents anymore. This tradition let people avoid their real responsibilities (Matthew 15:5 ^b).

v. 6: And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. By following this tradition, people could ignore God’s command to honor their parents. Jesus said their rules made God’s law useless (Matthew 15:6 ^c).