Mark 7:12

12 then you no longer permit doing anything for a father or mother,

Mark 7:12 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 7:12

And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father, or
his mother.
] According to the Jewish canons F23, if a man vowed a thing which is contrary to a command, he was obliged to keep his vow, and break the command: thus, if a man vowed that his father or his mother should never receive any benefit from what he had, but that his substance was as "Corban", or as any thing devoted to divine service, he was obliged to keep his vow; nor was he allowed after this to do any thing for his father, or mother, however poor or helpless they might be; unless he applied to a wise man to revoke his vow, or to give him liberty to do it; for he could not do it of himself, as wicked as it was; and though he might heartily repent of it, and was ever so willing to make it null and void: and though a dissolution it by a wise man was allowed of, yet hereby they set up their own power and authority against God, and his law; they did not rescind the vow, because it was contrary to the command of God: for notwithstanding its being contrary to the command of God, it was to be observed, though to the breaking of that, unless loosed by a wise man, at the man's request; whereby they established their magisterial power and authority, without any regard to the honour and glory of God; and therefore what follows, is justly observed by our Lord; (See Gill on Matthew 15:5).


FOOTNOTES:

F23 Maimon. Hilch. Nedarim, c. 3. sect. 1.

Mark 7:12 In-Context

10 For Moses said, "Honor your father and your mother'; and, "Whoever speaks evil of father or mother must surely die.'
11 But you say that if anyone tells father or mother, "Whatever support you might have had from me is Corban' (that is, an offering to God )—
12 then you no longer permit doing anything for a father or mother,
13 thus making void the word of God through your tradition that you have handed on. And you do many things like this."
14 Then he called the crowd again and said to them, "Listen to me, all of you, and understand:
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.