New Testament · Gospel

Mark 7:11

Beyond the Boundaries

But you say that if a man says to his father or mother, ‘Whatever you would have received from me is Corban’ (that is, a gift devoted to God), Mark 7:11 · Berean Standard Bible
What It Means

Mark 7:11, in plain English

Jesus says: 'But you allow people to tell their parents: Sorry, what I would have used to help you has been declared Corban — a gift devoted to God.'

Why it's here

It was a religious loophole that let people avoid caring for their aging parents while looking pious. You could keep your money by declaring it 'dedicated to God.'

Who's speaking

Jesus describes the Corban practice to expose its hypocrisy.

Where it sits in the story

Imagine telling your aging parents you can't help them because your money is 'dedicated to God' — but you're still using it for yourself. That's the loophole Jesus is exposing.

A Closer Look

The scholarly reading

Jesus exposes the Corban (korban, 'gift/offering devoted to God') loophole: a person could declare their assets 'Corban,' dedicating them (at least verbally) to the temple, thereby claiming exemption from financial obligations to aging parents.

Language and setting

The Corban vow was a legal mechanism in rabbinic halakha. While later rabbis debated and sometimes permitted annulment of such vows (Mishnah Nedarim 9:1), the practice Jesus critiques prioritized vow-keeping over parental care.

Voice

Jesus describes the Pharisaic Corban practice that circumvents the fifth commandment.

Significance

Jesus exposes a religious loophole: people could label their resources 'Corban' — devoted to God — and then refuse to use them to support their elderly parents, all under a veneer of piety.

In context

Mark 7:9–13

9He went on to say, “You neatly set aside the command of God to maintain your own tradition.

10For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’

11But you say that if a man says to his father or mother, ‘Whatever you would have received from me is Corban’ (that is, a gift devoted to God),

12he is no longer permitted to do anything for his father or mother.

13Thus you nullify the word of God by the tradition you have handed down. And you do so in many such matters.”

Read all of Mark 7 — Jesus declares all foods clean and then crosses into Gentile territory to heal a woman's daughter. The walls are coming down.

Understand every verse, not just this one

This page covers one. BibleKey does all 31,102 — tap any verse for its meaning, any word for its Hebrew or Greek root, and keep reading without leaving the chapter.

Get BibleKey

Understand every verse.

Not just the famous ones. BibleKey is free on iPhone and iPad.

Download on the App Store

Free on iPhone & iPad