Matthew 15:6

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Matthew 15:6 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “he shall not honor his father. And ye have made void the word of God because of your tradition.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

he shall not honor his father. And ye have made void the word of God because of your tradition.
Matthew 15:6 — American Standard Version

Context — Matthew 15

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
6he shall not honor his father. And ye have made void the word of God because of your tradition.

What do historical commentaries say?

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free--that is, It is true, father--mother--that by giving to thee this, which I now present, thou mightest be profited by me; but I have gifted it to pious uses, and therefore, at whatever cost to thee, I am not now at liberty to alienate any portion of it. "And," it is added in Mark (Mar 7:12), "ye suffer him no more to do aught for his father or his mother." To dedicate property to God is indeed lawful and laudable, but not at the expense of filial duty. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect--cancelled or nullified it "by your tradition."”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“See also Mark 7:1-9. Then came to Jesus ... - Mark says that they saw the disciples of Jesus eating with unwashed hands. Matthew 15:2 Transgress the tradition of the elders - The world “elders” literally means “old men.” Here it means the “ancients,” or their “ancestors.” The “tradition of the elders” meant something handed down from one to another by memory; some precept or custom not commanded in the written law, but which scribes and Pharisees held themselves bound to observe. They supposed that when Moses was on Mount Sinai two sets of laws were delivered to him: one, they said, was recorded, and is that contained in the Old Testament; the other was handed down from father to son, and…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“15:6 cancel: Because of a greater commitment to their traditions, the Pharisees in effect rendered God’s law nonbinding, turning their piety into sinful disregard for the word of God.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“honour: Ti1 5:3, Ti1 5:4, Ti1 5:8, Ti1 5:16 Thus: Psa 119:126, Psa 119:139; Jer 8:8; Hos 4:6; Mal 2:7-9; Mar 7:13; Rom 3:31 Matthew 15:7”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification