Bible Discussion Thread

Matthew 15:5 and Mark 7:11. Corban, or gift. Not sure I understand exactly what Jesus is saying to them. I understand He's admonishing them for following their own traditions of men instead of the Word, but not sure exactly what He means by the gift

Thoughts? Bob.

Hello Crjbob,

Here's my understanding on this. What they did in those days is that they set up this tradition in the temple that if a person's parents grew old and were unable to take care of themselves, and the kids did not want to spend all their money supporting their parents, the priests would arranged this CORBAN (Gift) which allowed the kids to bring all their money to the temple and say "this is a gift to God."

What the priests would do is they would pray over the money, and they would take 10% for the synagogue and give the rest back to the kids and tell them "You are no longer spending your money, you are spending our money, so now you are free to spend it anyway you like."

This way, the kids were off the hook as far as the command to honor their mother and father by supporting them. This was their mindset even though it was a bogus made-up tradition, perhaps a crooked way of bringing more money into the temple.

Now, the kids who didn't want to spend their money on their elderly parents could go to their parents and say, "You know, I would really like to help out, but I've got this money that belongs to the temple, and I don't have the freedom to spend it. I wish I could help!"

What they would allow them to do according to the tradition of the elders is that if I didn't want to give my money to my mother and father, which I am supposed to do to help them, but I would come and give it as a gift to the temple.

And then they would give 90% back to me and say now that we've prayed over it, it can only be used for God's purposes and we're trusting you to use it for God's purposes.

And they got 10% for that transaction. So hey, finances for the church! You didn't get to keep all of it. You walk away with 90% of what you dedicated. But then when your parents come to you according to Jesus in Matthew 15:5, He said, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;

I hope this helps!

Blessings!

Thank you, Jesse. I think this was yet another example of them worshiping the "traditions of men" and not the commandments of God. Oh, and making money as well! Thanks very much, Jesse. God bless. Bob.