New Testament
Matthew 15:6
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 criticizes the religious leaders for allowing their traditions to override God's commandments.
- Author
- Matthew the apostle
- Written
- Around AD 60-70
- Genre
- Gospel
- Original Audience
- Jewish Christians
and they do not honor their father or mother. You have nullified the commandment of God by your tradition.
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.
Verse Analysis
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.
Related Bible verses
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
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.

The Book of Matthew
Matthew 1: The Generation and Birth of Jesus Christ
The book begins with the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. It records the generations from Abraham to David, from David until the carrying away into Babylon, and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ, each being fourteen generations. The genealogy concludes with Jacob begetting Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
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