For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death:
In this passage, Jesus is in a sharp debate with the Pharisees — a group of religious leaders in first-century Judaism who were deeply committed to following not only the written laws of Moses but also an extensive tradition of additional rules. They had criticized Jesus' disciples for not following one of these traditional customs. Jesus responds by turning the tables, pointing out that their own traditions were causing people to violate God's direct commands. He quotes two laws given through Moses — one commanding people to honor their parents, the other stating the serious consequence for cursing them. Jesus is exposing a specific religious loophole called 'Corban,' where a person could declare money as a gift dedicated to God and use that as an excuse to withhold financial support from aging parents.
Lord, it's easy to honor people in theory and quietly avoid them in practice. Show me the gap between what I say I value and how I actually show up for the people closest to me. Give me the courage and the humility to close that gap, one ordinary day at a time. Amen.
The word 'honor' sounds formal — like a plaque on the wall, or a toast at a retirement dinner. But in the context Jesus is quoting, it meant something far more gritty: actual material provision, physical presence, not abandoning your parents when caring for them becomes inconvenient. The Pharisees had found a workaround. Declare your money as a religious offering, and suddenly you're off the hook for supporting mom and dad. Technically devout. Practically absent. Jesus had no patience for that kind of religion — the kind that lets you feel righteous while dodging the actual human being in front of you. The hard question this verse raises isn't really about ancient Jewish law. It's about the gap between your stated values and your lived ones. You believe in family. You believe in loyalty and care. But when it costs something real — a weekend, a difficult phone call, money on a completely ordinary Thursday — do those beliefs actually show up? The people closest to you already know the answer better than you do.
Why does Jesus quote this specific commandment in this context, and what does his argument reveal about what he thought authentic faith was supposed to look like in practice?
What does 'honoring' a parent look like in your specific life right now — and how is that different from simply tolerating an obligation or showing up out of guilt?
The Pharisees used a religious practice to excuse a relational responsibility. Where in your own life might you be using something that looks good — busyness, ministry, even prayer — to avoid a harder obligation to someone close to you?
How does the way you actually treat your parents, or the people who raised you, shape the way others around you — especially younger people — understand what love and family mean?
Is there a specific act of honor toward a parent or parental figure that you've been putting off — a visit, a call, financial help, an apology? What would it take to do that this week?
Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
Exodus 20:12
And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.
Exodus 21:17
A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?
Malachi 1:6
Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.
Mark 10:19
For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.
Matthew 15:4
Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
Deuteronomy 5:16
For every one that curseth his father or his mother shall be surely put to death: he hath cursed his father or his mother; his blood shall be upon him.
Leviticus 20:9
But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;
Matthew 15:5
For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother [with respect and gratitude]'; and, 'He who speaks evil of his father or mother must be put to death';
AMP
For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’
ESV
'For Moses said, 'HONOR YOUR FATHER AND YOUR MOTHER'; and, 'HE WHO SPEAKS EVIL OF FATHER OR MOTHER, IS TO BE PUT TO DEATH';
NASB
For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’
NIV
For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’
NKJV
For instance, Moses gave you this law from God: ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and ‘Anyone who speaks disrespectfully of father or mother must be put to death.’
NLT
Moses said, 'Respect your father and mother,' and, 'Anyone denouncing father or mother should be killed.'
MSG