Mark 7:12

Mark 7:12, in plain English

And then you won't let that person do anything for their mom or dad anymore. The religious rule overrides the actual commandment to care for your parents.

Why it's here

The tradition didn't just allow neglect — it enforced it. Once you made the vow, you were told you couldn't help even if you wanted to.

Who's speaking

Jesus continues exposing the consequences of the Corban practice.

Where it sits in the story

The loophole became a trap. Even if someone changed their mind and wanted to help their parents, the tradition said they couldn't. Religious rules were being used to justify neglect.

The scholarly reading

Once the Corban vow is made, the person is 'no longer permitted' (ouketi aphiete auton ouden poiesai) to do anything for their parents — the vow's binding force is used to override the commandment's moral obligation.

Language and setting

The Pharisaic legal ruling that the Corban vow takes precedence over parental obligations directly contradicts the fifth commandment. Jesus demonstrates that their tradition doesn't supplement the Law — it annuls it.

Voice

Jesus continues explaining how the Corban tradition works in practice.

Significance

The tradition's logic is complete: once resources are declared Corban, the son is legally prohibited from helping his parents — the tradition effectively vetoes the divine commandment.

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.”

14Once again Jesus called the crowd to Him and said, “All of you, listen to Me and understand:

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.