Matthew 15:5 Meaning and Explanation
“But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jesus describes the loophole: declaring resources a gift to God so they need not be used to help one's parents.
What Does Matthew 15:5 Mean?
Jesus now exposes the device. By pronouncing his property a gift dedicated to God, a man could claim he was no longer obliged to use it for his aging parents' needs. The vow sounded pious, but in practice it became an excuse to withhold support from those one was bound to honor. The sentence is left hanging, drawing the listener toward its troubling conclusion in the next verse.
What looked like devotion was a way of dodging duty. Religious language was bent to serve self-interest, cloaking neglect in the garb of holiness. Jesus shines light on the human heart's skill at justifying itself. Real reverence for God never excuses us from love for the people God has placed in our care; it deepens it.
Matthew 15:5 in the Original Language
doron (δῶρον), 'gift' -- an offering set apart for God, here misused as a pretext to avoid caring for one's parents.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 15:5
What does Matthew 15:5 mean?
Jesus describes the loophole: declaring resources a gift to God so they need not be used to help one's parents.