New Testament
Matthew 15:6
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
and they do not honor their father or mother. You have nullified the commandment of God by your tradition.
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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.
What Matthew 15:6 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, Jesus criticizes the religious leaders for allowing their traditions to override God's commandments. He points out that by not honoring their parents, people are effectively disregarding a fundamental commandment from God. The leaders had created a loophole in their laws that made it acceptable to neglect parental responsibilities, thus nullifying God's intent. This highlights the danger of prioritizing human traditions over divine instructions, leading to a distortion of true faith and obedience. Jesus emphasizes that true honor to God involves adhering to His commandments rather than following man-made rules that contradict them. This teaching serves as a reminder to evaluate our practices and beliefs, ensuring they align with God's word rather than cultural or traditional expectations.
How to apply Matthew 15:6 to your life
We should examine our own traditions and practices to ensure they align with God's teachings. It's important to prioritize honoring our parents and fulfilling our responsibilities, as these are direct commands from God. By doing so, we can avoid the pitfalls of hypocrisy and truly live out our faith.
Curated for this public verse page. Matthew Summary
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Key themes
At a Glance — the Book of Matthew
- Author
- Matthew the apostle
- Written
- Around AD 60-70
- Genre
- Gospel
- Original Audience
- Jewish Christians
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Matthew 15:6 mean?
Matthew 15:6 means that Jesus is criticizing the religious leaders for allowing their traditions to override God's commandments. He points out that by neglecting to honor their parents, they are effectively disregarding a fundamental commandment from God.
What is the meaning of honoring parents in Matthew 15:6?
Honoring parents in Matthew 15:6 refers to fulfilling the responsibility to care for and respect one's mother and father. Jesus emphasizes that this commandment should not be ignored or replaced by human traditions.
How does Matthew 15:6 relate to religious hypocrisy?
Matthew 15:6 relates to religious hypocrisy by showing how the leaders' practices contradicted God's commands. They created loopholes that allowed them to appear righteous while actually disregarding essential moral responsibilities.
What lesson can we learn from Matthew 15:6?
The lesson from Matthew 15:6 is to evaluate our own traditions and ensure they align with God's teachings. It reminds us to prioritize honoring our parents and fulfilling our responsibilities as direct commands from God.
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