New Testament

Mark 7:11

The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English

At a Glance

In this verse, Jesus addresses a practice among the Pharisees where people would declare their possessions as 'Corban,' meaning dedicated to God.

Author
John Mark
Written
Around AD 55-65
Genre
Gospel
Original Audience
Roman and Gentile Christians
CBTClear Bible Translation

But you say that if someone tells their father or mother, 'Whatever I might have used to help you is Corban' — meaning it's been dedicated to God —

KJVKing 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.

Verse Analysis

Plain-English insight for readers

In this verse, Jesus addresses a practice among the Pharisees where people would declare their possessions as 'Corban,' meaning dedicated to God. This declaration allowed them to avoid using those resources to support their parents, which was a violation of the commandment to honor one's father and mother. By doing this, they created a loophole that made them feel righteous while neglecting their familial responsibilities. Jesus criticizes this practice, highlighting how it contradicts God's commandments and shows a lack of true devotion. The term 'Corban' indicates a gift or offering, but in this context, it was misused to excuse selfishness and disregard for family obligations. Jesus emphasizes that true devotion to God should not come at the expense of caring for one's family, pointing out the hypocrisy in their actions.

Key themes

Related topics

hypocrisy, grace, commitment

How to apply Mark 7:11 to your life

This verse encourages us to examine our priorities and ensure that our religious commitments do not lead us to neglect our responsibilities to family and loved ones. We should strive to honor our parents and support them, reflecting our faith through our actions.

Curated for this public verse page. Mark Summary

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick, clear answers about this verse

What does Mark 7:11 mean?

Mark 7:11 discusses how some people used the term 'Corban' to declare their possessions dedicated to God, allowing them to avoid helping their parents. Jesus criticizes this practice as a way to bypass the commandment to honor one's father and mother.

What is the meaning of Corban in Mark 7:11?

In Mark 7:11, 'Corban' refers to something that has been dedicated as a gift to God. However, in this context, it was misused to excuse neglecting family responsibilities.

How does Mark 7:11 relate to family responsibility?

Mark 7:11 emphasizes the importance of honoring and supporting one's parents. It shows that declaring something as 'Corban' should not be an excuse to neglect family duties.

What lesson can we learn from Mark 7:11?

The lesson from Mark 7:11 is to ensure that our religious practices do not lead us to ignore our responsibilities to family. We should prioritize caring for our loved ones while maintaining our faith.

The Book of Mark
Book Summary

The Book of Mark

Mark 1: John the Baptist and the Beginning of Jesus's Ministry

John the Baptist appears in the wilderness and preaches a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. People from Judaea and Jerusalem come to him, confess their sins, and are baptized in the river Jordan. John wears camel's hair and a leather belt and eats locusts and wild honey. He announces that someone stronger than he is coming after him and says he is not worthy to stoop down and untie his sandals. He baptizes with water, but the one coming will baptize with the Holy Ghost.

Premium

Unlock the full Mark summary

Continue reading every chapter — themes, structure, and turning points.

The complete summary of Mark — a chapter-by-chapter breakdown covering all 16 chapters.

What you get

Every chapter of Mark summarized in clear, modern English

How each section connects — narrative flow, key themes, and turning points

Permanent access — read anytime, on any device

Best Value

Best value • Save over 90%

or

One-time purchase • Access anytime

ClearBible summaries are proprietary content and may not be copied, republished, or resold.

Checkout works as a guest. After payment, you create an account to claim your unlock.