Corban and the Fence Around the Law

Observe. Jesus accuses the Pharisees of setting aside God's commands to keep their own traditions, and gives one example. Moses said to honor your father and mother. But the tradition allowed a man to declare his resources Corban, a gift devoted to God, and then refuse to use them for his parents. The result, Jesus says, is that they nullify the word of God by their tradition, and they do many things like that.

Interpret. The Corban vow was not an obviously wicked thing. It looked devout. That is what makes the example so pointed. The most effective way to disobey God is not open rebellion but a pious substitute, a rule or practice that feels more spiritual than the plain commandment and quietly replaces it. The fence built to protect the law had grown taller than the law itself.

Apply. Every Christian tradition, including yours, has fences. Some are wise. Some have become Corban. Which practices in your church or family carry more weight than the clear commands of Scripture about honoring parents, telling the truth, caring for the poor, or loving your enemy? Is there a spiritual-sounding reason you have used to excuse a plain obligation to someone who depends on you? And what would it look like to let God's word, rather than your tradition, decide?