Matthew 15:6 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Jesus concludes that their tradition voids God's command, freeing a person from the duty to honor father and mother.
What Does Matthew 15:6 Mean?
The loophole reaches its end: the man who makes such a vow is held free from honoring his parents. Jesus names the result plainly, by their tradition they have made the commandment of God of none effect. A custom meant to safeguard devotion had been twisted until it canceled a clear command of God. The verb of none effect means to render void, to strip of force.
This is the heart of Jesus' indictment. Tradition is not condemned for existing, but for being placed where it can nullify God's word. Whenever our rules and reasonings end by excusing us from love and obedience, they have failed their purpose. The Lord calls us to a faith in which what God commands is never quietly set aside by what we have devised.
Matthew 15:6 in the Original Language
akuroo (ἀκυρόω), 'of none effect' -- to invalidate or render void, as a law stripped of its authority.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 15:6
What does Matthew 15:6 mean?
Jesus concludes that their tradition voids God's command, freeing a person from the duty to honor father and mother.