Matthew 15:4

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Matthew 15:4 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’

King James Version KJV

For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.

American Standard Version ASV

For God said, Honor thy father and thy mother: and, He that speaketh evil of father or mother, let him die the death.

Bible in Basic English BBE

For God said, Give honour to your father and mother: and, He who says evil of father or mother will be put to death.

Free Bible Version FBV

“For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and ‘Those who curse their father or mother should be put to death.’

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

For God hath commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and he that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

for God did command, saying, Honour thy father and mother; and, He who is speaking evil of father or mother — let him die the death;

World English Bible WEB

For God commanded, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him be put to death.’

Noah Webster Bible WBS

For God commanded, saying, Honor thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

Honour thy father and mother: And: He that shall curse father or mother, let him die the death.

Translation for Translators T4T

God gave these two commands: ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and ‘People who speak evil about their father or mother must be executed.’

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Berean Amplified Bible — Matthew 15:4

BAB

Word Study

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Matthew 15:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

GRK ο γαρ θεος ενετειλατο λεγων τιμα τον πατερα και την μητερα και ο κακολογων πατερα η μητερα θανατω τελευτατω

ο ho G3588 the/this/who Art-NSM

γαρ gar G1063 for Conj

θεος theos G2316 God Noun-NSM

ενετειλατο entellō G1781 to order Verb-ADI-3S

λεγων legō G3004 to say Verb-PAP-NSM

τιμα timaō G5091 to honor Verb-PAM-2S

τον ho G3588 the/this/who Art-ASM

πατερα patēr G3962 father Noun-ASM

και kai G2532 and Conj

την ho G3588 the/this/who Art-ASF

μητερα mētēr G3384 mother Noun-ASF

και kai G2532 and Conj

ο ho G3588 the/this/who Art-NSM

κακολογων kakologeō G2551 to curse/revile Verb-PAP-NSM

πατερα patēr G3962 father Noun-ASM

η ē G2228 or Particle

μητερα mētēr G3384 mother Noun-ASF

θανατω thanatos G2288 death Noun-DSM

τελευτατω teleutaō G5053 to decease Verb-PAM-3S

Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — Matthew 15:4

ο ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-NSM

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

γαρ gar G1063 "for" Conj

For is a word used to explain or give a reason, often introducing a justification or clarification, as seen in Matthew 4:18 and Romans 7:1. It's a conjunction that connects ideas and provides additional information.

Definition: γάρ, co-ordinating particle, contr. of γε ἄρα, verily then, hence, in truth, indeed, yea, then, why, and when giving a reason or explanation, for, the usage in NT being in general accord with that of cl.; __1. explicative and epexegetic: Mat.4:18 19:12, Mrk.1:16 5:42 16:4, Luk.11:3o, Rom.7:1, 1Co.16:5, al. __2. Conclusive, in questions, answers and exclamations: Mat.9:5 27:23, Luk.9:25 22:27, Jhn.9:30, Act.8:31 16:37 19:35, Rom.15:26, 1Co.9:10, Php.1:18 (Ellic., in l.), 1Th.2:20, al. __3. Causal: Mat.1:21 2:2, 5, 6, 3:23, Mrk.1:22, 9:6, Luk.1:15, 18, Jhn.2:25, Act.2:25, Rom.1:9, 11, 1Co.11:5, Rev.1:3, al.; giving the reason for a command or prohibition, Mat.2:20 3:9, Rom.13:11, Col.3:3, 1Th.4:3, al.; where the cause is contained in an interrog. statement, Luk.22:27, Rom.3:3 4:3, 1Co.10:29; καὶ γάρ, for also, Mrk.10:45, Luk.6:32, 1Co.5:7, al. id. as in cl. = etenim, where the καί loses its connective force (Bl., §78, 6; Kühner 3, ii, 854f.), Mrk.14:70, Luk.1:66 22:37, 2Co.13:4. The proper place of γάρ is after the first word in a clause, but in poets it often comes third or fourth, and so in late prose: 2Co.1:19. Yet "not the number but the nature of the word after which it stands is the point to be noticed" (see Thayer, see word). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 1011 NT verses. KJV: and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:11; 1 John 2:19; 1 Peter 2:19.

θεος theos G2316 "God" Noun-NSM

This word simply means God, referring to the one true deity. It is used throughout the New Testament, including in Matthew 27:46 and Acts 14:11, to describe the supreme being and creator of the universe.

Definition: θεός, -οῦ, ὁ, ἡ (Act.19:37 only; see M, Pr., 60, 244), late voc., θεέ (Mat.27:46; cf. Deu.3:24, al.), [in LXX chiefly for אֱלֹהִים, also for אֵל and other cognate forms, יהוה, etc. ;] a god or deity, God. __1. In polytheistic sense, a god or deity: Act.28:6, 1Co.8:4, 2Th.2:4, al.; pl., Ac. 14:11 19:26, Gal.4:8, al. __2. Of the one true God; __(a) anarthrous: Mat.6:24, Luk.20:38, al.; esp. with prep. (Kühner 3, iii, 605), ἀπὸ θ., Jhn.3:2; ἐκ, Act.5:39, 2Co.5:1, Php.3:9; ὑπό, Rom.13:1; παρὰ θεοῦ, Jhn.1:6; παρὰ θεῷ, 2Th.1:6, 1Pe.2:4; κατὰ θεόν, Rom.8:27, 2Co.7:9, 10; also when in genitive dependent on an anarth. noun (Bl., §46, 6), Mat.27:43, Luk.3:2, Rom.1:17, 1Th.2:13; as pred., Lk 20:38, Jhn.1:1, and when the nature and character rather than the person of God is meant, Act.5:29, Gal.2:6, al. (M, Th., 14); __(b) more freq., with art.: Mat.1:23, Mrk.2:7, al. mult.; with prep., ἀπὸ τ. θ., Luk.1:26; ἐκ, Jhn.8:42, al.; παρὰ τοῦ θ., Jhn.8:40; π. τῷ θ., Rom.9:14; ἐν, Col.3:3; ἐπὶ τῷ θ., Luk.1:47; ἐπὶ τὸν θ., Act.15:19; εἰς τ. θ., Act.24:15; πρὸς τ. θ., Jhn.1:2; with genitive of person(s), Mat.22:32, Mrk.12:26, 27, Luk.20:37, Jhn.20:17, al.; ὁ θ. μου, Rom.1:8, Php 1:3, al.; ὁ θ. καὶ πατήρ κ. τ. λ., Rom.15:6, Eph.1:3, Phi 4:20, al.; with genitive of thing(s), Rom.15:5, 13, 33, 2Co.1:3, 1Th.5:23; τὰ τ. θεοῦ, Mat.16:23, Mrk.12:17, 1Co.2:11; τὰ πρὸς τὸν θ., Rom.15:17, Heb.2:17 5:1; τ. θεῷ, as a superl. (LXX, Jos.3:3), Act.7:20, 2Co.10:4; Hebraistically, of judges (Psa.81(82):6), Jhn.10:34" (LXX), 35. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 1170 NT verses. KJV: X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 John 4:2; 1 Peter 1:2.

ενετειλατο entellō G1781 "to order" Verb-ADI-3S

This verb means to order or command someone to do something, as seen in Matthew 19:7 and Acts 1:2. It involves giving instructions or directions. The Bible often uses this term to describe God's commands and instructions to his people.

Definition: ἐν-τέλλω [in LXX, as in NT (and mostly in Hdt.), always mid., chiefly for צָוָה pi. ;] -ομαι, to command, enjoin, instruct: before περί Heb.11:22; with inf., Mat.19:7; with dative of person(s), Act.1:2; οὕτως, Act.13:47; καθώς, Jhn.14:31 (ἐντολὴν ἔδωκεν, WH); before λέγων, Mat.17:9; with inf., Jhn.8:5; ἵνα, Mrk.13:34; with accusative of thing(s), Mat.28:20, Mrk.10:3, Jhn.15:14, 17; before περί, with genitive of person(s), Mat.4:6 and Luk.4:10 (LXX); διαθήκην ἐ. πρός, with accusative of person(s), Heb.9:20 (LXX) (cf. Sir.45:3).† SYN.: κελεύω, to command, of verbal orders in general; παραγγέλλω, to charge, esp. of the transmitted orders of a military commander; ἐντέλλω points rather to the contents of the command (see Thayer, see word κελεύω) (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 17 NT verses. KJV: (give) charge, (give) command(-ments), injoin See also: Acts 1:2; Luke 4:10; Hebrews 9:20.

λεγων legō G3004 "to say" Verb-PAP-NSM

This word means to say or speak, and it is used by Jesus and others in the New Testament to share teachings and tell stories. It appears in Matthew 9:34 and John 1:29.

Definition: λέγω, [in LXX very freq., chiefly for אמר; λέγει for נְאֻם, Gen.22:16, al. ;] __1. in Hom., to pick out, gather, reckon, recount. __2. In Hdt. and Att., to say, speak, affirm, declare: absol., Act.13:15, 24:10; before orat. dir., Mat.9:34, Mrk.3:11, Jhn.1:29, al.; before ὅτι recit., Mrk.3:21, Luk.1:24, Jhn.6:14, al.; accusative and inf., Luk.11:18, Jhn.12:29, al.; after another verb of speaking, προσφωνεῖν κ. λέγειν, Mat.11:17, al.; ἀπεκρίθη (ἐλάλησεν) λέγων (καὶ λέγει; Dalman, Words, 24 ff.), Mat.25:9, Mrk.3:33, 7:28, Luk.24:6, 7, al.; of unspoken thought, λ. ἐν ἑαυτῷ, Mat.3:9, Luk.3:8, al.; of writing, 2Co.8:8, Php.4:11, al.; λέγει ἡ γραφή, Rom.4:3, Jas.2:23, al.; with accusative of thing(s), Luk.8:8, 9:33, Jhn.5:34, al.; σὺ λέγεις (a non-committal phrase; Swete, Mk., 359, 369f.), Mat.27:11, Mrk.15:2, Luk.23:3, Jhn.18:37; with dative of person(s), before orat. dir., Mat.8:20, Mrk.2:17, al. mult.; id. before ὅτι, Mat.3:9, al.; with prep., πρός, μετά, περί, etc., Mrk.4:41, Jhn.11:56, Heb.9:5, al.; to mean (cl.), Mrk.14:71, Jhn.6:71, 1Co.10:29, al.; to call, name, Mrk.10:18; pass., Mat.9:9, Mrk.15:7, al (cf. ἀντι-, δια- (-μαι), προ-, συλ-λέγω). SYN.: λαλέω, which refers to the utterance, as λέγω to the meaning of what is said, its correspondence with thought (Tr., Syn., Ixxvi; Thayer, see word λαλέω). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 1988 NT verses. KJV: ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter See also: 1 Corinthians 1:10; Acts 6:2; Acts 19:3.

τιμα timaō G5091 "to honor" Verb-PAM-2S

To honor means to show respect and value someone or something. In the Bible, it is used to describe how people should treat their parents and God, as seen in Matthew 15:4 and Ephesians 6:2.

Definition: τιμάω, -ῶ (τιμή), [in LXX for כָּבַד pi., עָרַךְ hi., etc. ;] __1. to fix the value, price: with accusative of person(s), of Christ, Mat.27:9 (LXX). __2. to honour: with accusative of person(s), Mat.15:4 (LXX), Mat.15:5, 8" (LXX) Mat.19:19 (LXX), Mrk.7:6, 10 10:19, Luk.18:28" (LXX), Jhn.5:23 8:49 12:26, Eph.6:2" (LXX), 1Ti.5:3, 1Pe.2:17; πολλαῖς τιμαῖς, Act.28:10.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 16 NT verses. KJV: honour, value See also: 1 Peter 2:17; Mark 7:6; Matthew 27:9.

τον ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-ASM

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

πατερα patēr G3962 "father" Noun-ASM

A father is a male parent, like Joseph, the father of Jesus, as mentioned in Matthew 2:22 and Luke 1:17. It can also refer to a forefather or ancestor, like Abraham, as seen in Matthew 3:9 and John 8:39.

Definition: πατήρ, πατρός, -τρί, τέρα, [in LXX chiefly and very frequently for אָב ;] a father; __1. prop., __(a) of the male parent: Mat.2:22, Luk.1:17, Jhn.4:53; anarth., Heb.12:7 (M, Pr., 82 f.); pl., of both parents (cl.), Heb.11:23; οἱ π. τ. σαρκός, Heb.12:9; __(b) of a forefather or ancestor (in cl. usually in pl.; Hom., al.): Mat.3:9, Luk.1:73, Jhn.8:39, al.; pl., Mat.23:30, 32 Luk.6:23, 26 Jhn.4:20, 1Co.10:1, al. __2. Metaphorical, __(a) of an author, originator, or archetype (= αἴτιος, ἀρχηγός, etc.; Pind., Plat., al.): Jhn.8:41-44, Rom.4:11, 12 16. __(b) as a title of respect or honour, used of seniors, teachers and others in a position of responsible authority (Jdg.17:10, 2Ki.2:12, Pro.1:8, al.): Mat.23:9 Act.7:2 22:1, 1Jn.2:13. __3. Of God (as in cl. of Zeus) as Father; __(a) of created things: τ. φώτων, Jas.1:17; __(b) of all sentient beings: Eph.3:14, 15 Heb.12:9; __(with) of men, esp. those in covenant relation with Him (freq in OT and later Jewish lit.; see Dalman, Words, 184ff.): Mat.6:4, Luk.6:36, Jhn.4:21, Jas.3:9, al.; ὁ π. ὁ ἐν (τ.) οὐρανοῖς, Mat.5:16, Mrk.11:25; ὁ π. ὁ οὐράνιος, Mat.6:14 15:13; esp. in the Epp., of Christians: Rom.8:15, 2Co.6:18, Gal.4:6, Eph.2:18 4:6, 1Jn.2:1; with genitive qual., τ. οἰκτιρμῶν, 2Co.1:3; τ. δοξῆς, Eph.1:17; __(d) of Christ (Dalman, Words, 190 ff.); __(α) by our Lord himself: ὁ π., Mat.11:25-27, Luk.10:2, 22 Jhn.5:20-23, al.; ὁ π. μου, Mat.11:27, al.; ὁ ἐν τ. οὐρανοῖς, Mat.7:11, al.; ὁ οὐράνιος, Mat.15:13; vocat., Jhn.11:41 12:27, 28 17:1, 5, 11, 20, 25 (cf. Abbott, JG., 96 f.); __(β) by Apostles: Jhn.1:14 (anarth.; see M, Pr., l.with), Rom.15:6, 2Co.1:3 11:31, Eph.1:3, Col.1:3, Heb.1:5, 1Pe.1:3, Rev.1:6 (cf. Westc., Epp. Jo., 27-34). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 370 NT verses. KJV: father, parent See also: 1 Corinthians 1:3; Hebrews 8:9; 1 Peter 1:2.

και kai G2532 "and" Conj

And or also, a connecting word used to join ideas or words, like in Matthew 2:18 and Hebrews 1:1.

Definition: καί, conj., and __I. Copulative. __1. Connecting single words; __(a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. __(b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; __(with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. __2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. __(a) where, after the simplicity of the popular language, sentences are paratactically joined (WM, §60, 3; M, Pr., 12; Deiss., LAE, 128ff.): Mat.1:21, 7:25, Mrk.9:5, Jhn.10:3, al.; __(b) joining affirmative to negative sentences: Luk.3:14, Jhn.4:11, IIIJhn.10; __(with) consecutive, and so: Mat.5:1, 23:32, Heb.3:19, al.; after imperatives, Mat.4:19, Luk.7:7, al.; __(d) = καίτοι, and yet: Mat.3:14, 6:26, Mrk.12:12, Luk.18:7 (Field, Notes, 72), 1Co.5:2, al.; __(e) beginning an apodosis (= Heb. וְ; so sometimes δέ in cl.), then: Luk.2:21, 7:12, Act.1:10; beginning a question (WM, §53, 3a): Mrk.10:26, Luk.10:29, Jhn.9:36. __3. Epexegetic, and, and indeed, namely (WM, §53, 3c): Luk.3:18, Jhn.1:16, Act.23:6, Rom.1:5, 1Co.3:5, al. __4. In transition: Mat.4:23, Mrk.5:1, 21, Jhn.1:19, al.; so, Hebraistically, καὶ ἐγένετο (וַי:הִי; also ἐγένετο δέ), Mrk.1:9 (cf. Luk.5:1; V. Burton, §§357-60; M, Pr., 14, 16). __5. καὶ . . . καί, both . . . and (for τε . . . καί, see: τε); __(a) connecting single words: Mat.10:28, Mrk.4:41, Rom.11:33, al.; __(b) clauses and sentences: Mrk.9:13, Jhn.7:28, 1Co.1:22, al. __II. Adjunctive, also, even, still: Mat.5:39, 40; Mrk.2:28, al. mult.; esp. with pron., adv., etc., Mat.20:4, Jhn.7:47, al; ὡς κ., Act.11:17; καθὼς κ., Rom.15:7; οὑτω κ., Rom.6:11; διὸ κ., Luk.1:35; ὁ κ. (Deiss., BS, 313ff.), Act.13:9; pleonastically, μετὰ κ.. (Bl., §77, 7; Deiss., BS, 265f,), Php.4:3; τί κ., 1 Co 15:29; ἀλλὰ κ., Luk.14:22, Jhn.5:18, al.; καίγε (M, Pr., 230; Burton, §437), Act.17:27; καίπερ, Heb.5:8; κ. ἐάν, see: ἐάν. ἐάν, contr. fr. εἰ ἄν, conditional particle, representing something as "under certain circumstances actual or liable to happen," but not so definitely expected as in the case of εἰ with ind. (Bl., §65, 4; cf. Jhn.13:17, 1Co.7:36), if haply, if; __1. with subjc. (cl.); __(a) pres.: Mat.6:22, Luk.10:6, Jhn.7:17, Rom.2:25, 26 al.; { __(b) aor. (= Lat. fut. pf.): Mat.4:9 16:26 (cf. ptcp. in Luk.9:25; M, Pr., 230), Mrk.3:24, Luk.14:34, Jhn.5:43, Rom.7:2, al.; = cl. εἰ, with opt., Jhn.9:22 11:57, Act.9:2; as Heb. אִם = ὅταν, Jhn.12:32 14:3, I Jhn.2:28 3:2, Heb.3:7" (LXX) . __2. C. indic, (as in late writers, fr. Arist. on; see WH, App., 171; VD, MGr. 2, App., §77; Deiss., BS, 201f., LAE, 155, 254; M, Pr., 168, 187; Bl., §65, 4); __(a) fut.: Mat.18:19 T, Luk.19:40, Act.7:7; __(b) pres.: 1Th.3:8 (see Milligan, in l.). __3. With other particles: ἐ. καί (Bl., §65, 6), Gal.6:1; ἐ. μή (M, Pr., 185, 187; Bl., l.with), with subjc. pres., Mat.10:13, 1Co.8:8, Jas.2:17, 1Jn.3:21; aor., Mat.6:15, Mrk.3:27, Jhn.3:3, Rom.10:15, Gal.1:8 2:16 (see Lft., Ellic., in ll.); ἐ. τε . . . ἐ. τε, [in LXX for אִם . . . אִם, Est.19:13, al.,] Rom.14:8. __4. = cl. ἄν (which see) after relat. pronouns and adverbs (Tdf., Pr., 96; WH, App., 173; M, Pr., 42f.; Bl., §26, 4; Mayser, 152f.; Deiss., BS, 202ff.): ὃς ἐ., Mat.5:19, Mrk.6:22, 23 Luk.17:32, 1Co.6:18, al.; ὅπου ἐ., Mat.8:19; ὁσάκις ἐ., Rev.11:6; οὗ ἐ., 1Co.16:6; καθὸ ἐ., 2Co.8:12; ὅστις ἐ., Gal.5:10. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 5212 NT verses. KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 16:1.

την ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-ASF

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

μητερα mētēr G3384 "mother" Noun-ASF

A mother is described by this word, used literally or figuratively, as in Matthew 1:18 and Galatians 4:26.

Definition: μήτηρ genitive, μητρός, ἡ, [in LXX chiefly for אֵם ;] mother: Mat.1:18 2:11, al.; figuratively, of one who takes the place of a mother, ἰδοὺ, ἡ μ. μου, Mat.12:49 (cf. Mat.12:50, Mrk.3:35, Jhn.19:27, Rom.16:13, 1Ti.5:2); of a city, ἥτις ἐσὶν μ. ἡμῶν, Gal.4:26; symbolically of Babylon, ἡ μ. τ. πορνῶν, Rev.17:5 (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 78 NT verses. KJV: mother See also: 1 Timothy 5:2; Mark 3:34; Revelation 17:5.

και kai G2532 "and" Conj

And or also, a connecting word used to join ideas or words, like in Matthew 2:18 and Hebrews 1:1.

Usage: Occurs in 5212 NT verses. KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 16:1.

ο ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-NSM

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

κακολογων kakologeō G2551 "to curse/revile" Verb-PAP-NSM

To speak badly of someone or something, like Jesus said in Matthew 15:4 and Mark 7:10, where he talked about those who curse their parents. This word is about reviling or abusing others with words. It's used to describe verbal attacks on people or things.

Definition: κακολογέω, -ῶ (κακολόγος, slanderous), [in LXX: Exo.21:16 22:28, 1Ki.3:13, Pro.20:20, Eze.22:7 (קָלַל pi., hi.), 2Ma.4:1 * ;] to speak ill of, revile, abuse: with accusative of person(s), Mat.15:4, Mrk.7:10" (LXX) Mrk.9:39; with accusative of thing(s), Act.19:9.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 4 NT verses. KJV: curse, speak evil of See also: Acts 19:9; Mark 9:39; Matthew 15:4.

πατερα patēr G3962 "father" Noun-ASM

Usage: Occurs in 370 NT verses. KJV: father, parent See also: 1 Corinthians 1:3; Hebrews 8:9; 1 Peter 1:2.

η ē G2228 "or" Particle

Or is a word used to show a choice between two things, like in Matthew 5:17 where it's either obey God's law or not. It's also used to compare things, like in Romans 1:21 where it's one thing or another.

Definition: ἤ, disjunctive and comparative particle (Bl., §36, 12; 77, 11); __1. disjunctive, or; __(a) between single words: Mat.5:17 Mrk.6:56, Luk.2:24, Jhn.6:19, Rom.1:21, al.; __(b) before a sentence expressing a variation, denial or refutation of a previous statement, frequently in interrog. form: Mat.7:4, 9 Mrk.12:14, Luk.13:4, Rom.3:29 6:3 9:21, 1Co.6:9, 16 9:6, 2Co.11:7; ἤ . . . ἤ, either . . . or, Mat.6:24, Luk.16:13, 1Co.14:6; __(with) in a disjunctive question (as Lat. an after utrum): Mat.9:5, Mrk.2:9, Luk.7:19, al.; after πότερον, Jhn.7:17; μή, 1Co.9:8; μήτι, 2Co.1:17; ἤ . . . ἤ . . . ἤ, Mrk.13:35. __2. Comparative, than: after comparatives, Mat.10:15, Luk.9:13, Jhn.3:19, Rom.13:11, al.; after ἕτερον, Act.17:21; θέλω (Khüner 3, iv, 303), 1Co.14:19; πρὶν ἤ, before, before accusative and inf., Mat.1:18 Mrk.14:30; after a positive adj. (Gen.49:12; cf. Robertson, Gr., 661), Mat.18:8, 9 Mrk.9:43, 45 47. __3. with other particles: ἀλλ᾽ ἤ, see: ἀλλά; ἤ γάρ, see: γάρ; ἢ καί, or even, or also, Mat.7:10, Luk.11:11, 12 Rom.2:15 4:9, al; ἤτοι . . . ἤ, Rom.6:16 (cf. Wis.11:19). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 281 NT verses. KJV: and, but (either), (n-)either, except it be, (n-)or (else), rather, save, than, that, what, yea See also: 1 Corinthians 1:13; Colossians 3:17; 1 Peter 1:11.

μητερα mētēr G3384 "mother" Noun-ASF

A mother is described by this word, used literally or figuratively, as in Matthew 1:18 and Galatians 4:26.

Usage: Occurs in 78 NT verses. KJV: mother See also: 1 Timothy 5:2; Mark 3:34; Revelation 17:5.

θανατω thanatos G2288 "death" Noun-DSM

This word means death, whether it's physical or spiritual. It's used in many places, like John 11:13 and Romans 8:38, to describe the end of life or separation from God. It's the opposite of life.

Definition: θάνατος, -ου, ὁ (θνήσκω), [in LXX chiefly for מָוֶת ,מוּת, sometimes דֶּבֶר ;] death; __1. of the death of the body, whether natural or violent: Jhn.11:13, Php.2:27, Heb.7:23, al; opposite to ζωή, Rom.8:38, Php.1:20; of the death of Christ, Rom.5:10, Php.3:10, Heb.2:9; ῥυέσθαι (σώζειν) ἐκ θ., 2Co.1:10, Heb.5:7; περίλυπος ἕως θανάτου, Mat.26:38, Mrk.14:34; μέχρι (ἄχρι), Php.2:8, Rev.2:10; πληγὴ θανάτου, a deadly wound. Rev.13:3; ἰδεῖν θάνατον, Luk.2:26, Heb.11:5; γεύεσθαι θανάτου, Mrk.9:1; ἔνοχος θανάτου, Mrk.14:64; θανάτῳ τελευτᾶν ( Exo.21:17, מוּת יוּמָת), Mrk.7:10; death personified, Rom.6:9, 1Co.15:26, Rev.21:4; pl., of deadly perils, 2Co.11:23. __2. Of spiritual death: Jhn.5:24 8:51, Rom.7:10, Jas.1:15, 5:20, 1Jn.3:14 5:16, al.; of eternal death, Rom.1:32 7:5, al.; ὁ θ. ὁ δεύτερος, Rev.2:11 21:8 (cf. Cremer, 283ff.; DB, iii, 114ff.; DCG, i, 791f.). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 106 NT verses. KJV: X deadly, (be…) death See also: 1 Corinthians 3:22; Mark 7:10; Hebrews 2:9.

τελευτατω teleutaō G5053 "to decease" Verb-PAM-3S

To decease means to come to the end of one's life, as described in Matthew 2:19 and Hebrews 11:22. This word is often translated as 'to die' and marks the end of a person's life on earth. It is a natural part of life and can be a transition to eternal life with God.

Definition: τελευτάω, -ῶ (τελευτή), [in LXX chiefly for מוּת ;] __1. trans., to complete, finish; esp. τ. τ. αἰῶνα, τ. βίον, to complete life, to die (Æsch., Hdt., al.). __2. Intrans., to come to an end, hence, to die (Hdt., al.): Mat.2:19 9:18 22:25, Mrk.9:48, Luk.7:2, Jhn.11:39, Act.2:29 7:15, Heb.11:22; Hebraistically, θανάτῳ τελευτάτω (מוּת, Exo.21:17), Mat.15:4, Mrk.7:10" (LXX) .† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 12 NT verses. KJV: be dead, decease, die See also: Acts 2:29; Mark 9:46; Hebrews 11:22.

Study Notes — Matthew 15:4

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Matthew 15:4 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Matthew 15:4
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Matthew 15:4
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Matthew 15:4
Trapp's Commentary on Matthew 15:4
Ellicott's Commentary on Matthew 15:4
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Matthew 15:4
Cambridge Bible on Matthew 15:4
Whedon's Commentary on Matthew 15:4
Sermons on Matthew 15:4

Context — The Tradition of the Elders

2“Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They do not wash their hands before they eat.” 3Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?

4For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’

5But you say that if anyone says to his father or mother, ‘Whatever you would have received from me is a gift devoted to God,’ 6he need not honor his father or mother with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Exodus 20:12	Honor your father and mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.
2	Leviticus 20:9	If anyone curses his father or mother, he must be put to death. He has cursed his father or mother; his blood shall be upon him.
3	Exodus 21:17	Anyone who curses his father or mother must surely be put to death.
4	Deuteronomy 5:16	Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that your days may be long and that it may go well with you in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.
5	Deuteronomy 21:18–21	If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who does not obey his father and mother and does not listen to them when disciplined, his father and mother are to lay hold of him and bring him to the elders of his city, to the gate of his hometown, and say to the elders, “This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious; he does not obey us. He is a glutton and a drunkard.” Then all the men of his city will stone him to death. So you must purge the evil from among you, and all Israel will hear and be afraid.
6	Proverbs 23:22	Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.
7	Leviticus 19:3	Each of you must respect his mother and father, and you must keep My Sabbaths. I am the LORD your God.
8	Matthew 19:19	honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself.’ ”
9	Deuteronomy 27:16	‘Cursed is he who dishonors his father or mother.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
10	Proverbs 20:20	Whoever curses his father or mother, his lamp will be extinguished in deepest darkness.

Matthew 15:4 Summary

This verse reminds us that God wants us to show respect and care for our parents, just like He wants us to show respect and love for Him. Honoring our parents is a way of honoring God, and it's an important part of living a life that pleases Him (as seen in Ephesians 6:1-3). When we honor our parents, we're not just doing what they want, we're doing what God wants, and that's a great way to show our love and obedience to Him. By following this command, we can build strong, healthy relationships with our parents and with God.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to honor your father and mother?

Honoring your father and mother means showing respect, obedience, and care for them, as commanded by God in Exodus 20:12 and Deuteronomy 5:16, and as Jesus emphasizes here in Matthew 15:4.

Why does the verse mention being put to death for cursing parents?

This is a reference to the Old Testament law found in Exodus 21:17 and Leviticus 20:9, which prescribed the death penalty for anyone who cursed or struck their parents, highlighting the seriousness of dishonoring them.

How does this verse relate to the rest of the passage?

Jesus quotes this verse to point out the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, who were more concerned with their traditions than with obeying God's commandments, as seen in Matthew 15:3-6.

What does this verse teach us about our relationship with God and our parents?

This verse teaches us that our relationship with God is closely tied to our relationship with our parents, and that honoring them is a way of honoring God, as seen in Ephesians 6:1-3 and Colossians 3:20.

Reflection Questions

How can I show honor to my parents in my daily life, even if we don't always see eye to eye?
What are some ways that I may be dishonoring my parents, perhaps without even realizing it?
How can I balance the command to honor my parents with the need to make my own decisions and live my own life?
What does this verse reveal about God's character and His expectations for our relationships with others?

Gill's Exposition on Matthew 15:4

For God commanded, saying,.... That he might not be thought to suggest this without any foundation, he gives them an instance, wherein a command of God was transgressed, by the observance of their

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Matthew 15:4

For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Matthew 15:4

See Poole on "".

Trapp's Commentary on Matthew 15:4

4 For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. Ver. 4. For God commanded, saying] This is called the first commandment with promise, viz. the first affirmative commandment, or the first in the second table; or the first of all the ten with promise. For that in the second commandment is rather a declaration of God’ s justice and mercy, and that to the observers of the whole law; but here is a particular promise made to them that keep this particular commandment. Honour thy father and mother] Among other good offices, nourish and cherish them, as Joseph did Jacob and his family, Chepi tappam, as a man nourisheth his little ones, lovingly and tenderly, Genesis 47:12; be unto them as Obed was to Naomi, "a restorer of her life, and a nourisher of her old age," Rth 4:15. This the apostle commends to us, as a thing not only good before men, but acceptable before God, 1 Timothy 5:4. This the stork and the mouse teach us, by their singular love to their aged sires, Plin. x. 23. Cornelius was the staff of his father’ s age, and thereby merited the honourable name of Scipio among the Romans. Epaminondas rejoiced in nothing more than that he had lived to cheer up the hearts of his aged parents by the reports of his victories. Our parents are our household gods, said Hierocles. Aeneas is surnamed Pius, for his love to his father, whom he bore upon his back out of the fire of Troy. And Aristotle tells how that when from the hill Aetna there ran down a torrent of fire that consumed all the houses thereabouts, in the midst of those fearful flames God’ s special care of the godly shined most brightly. For the river of fire parted itself, and made a kind of lane for those who ventured to rescue their aged parents, and pluck them out of the jaws of death. He that curseth father or mother] That giveth them an ill word (κακολογων), or but an ill look; for vultu saepe laeditur pietas. "The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it." Now they are cursed with a witness, whom the Holy Ghost thus curseth in such emphatic manner, in such exquisite terms. Ephesians 6:2. εντολη properly signifieth an affirmative commandment. See Dr Gouge on Dom. Duties. ΟιγονειςημωνΘεοιεφεστιοι. πλησιονγαραυτωνγενομενοςπυροςποταμοςεξεσχιθη. Arist. de Mundo, cap. 6. Proverbs 30:17. Effossos oculos voret atro gutture corvus. Catul.

Ellicott's Commentary on Matthew 15:4

(4) God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and thy mother.—At first it might seem as if our Lord Himself, no less than the Pharisees, had taught men to think lightly of the commandment on which He now lays stress. He had called on men to forsake father and mother for the sake of the gospel (Matthew 4:18; Matthew 4:22), and had excluded from discipleship those who loved father and mother more than they loved Him (Matthew 10:37). We need not close our eyes to the difficulty which thus presents itself. But the answer is not far to seek. In our Lord’s teaching, a lower, natural duty was to give way exceptionally to a higher and supernatural one; otherwise it remained in full force. In that of the Pharisees the natural duty, enforced by a direct divine commandment, was made to give way to one which was purely human, arbitrary, and conventional. The two cases were not only not analogous, but stood on an entirely different footing.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Matthew 15:4

Verse 4. Honour thy father and mother] This word was taken in great latitude of meaning among the Jews: it not only meant respect and submission, but also to take care of a person, to nourish and support him, to enrich. See Numbers 22:17; Judges 13:17; 1 Timothy 5:17. And that this was the sense of the law, as it respected parents, see Deuteronomy 27:16, and See Clarke on Exodus 20:12.

Cambridge Bible on Matthew 15:4

4. For God commanded] “For Moses said” (Mark).

Whedon's Commentary on Matthew 15:4

4. God commanded — There are some who deny the authority of the Old Testament, yet admit the New. Our Saviour here sets his seal to the divine mission of Moses, and declares that the decalogue is God’s law.

Sermons on Matthew 15:4

	Sermon	Description
	(Bible Analysis of Man) Man's Lips by Willie Mullan	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of being attentive and responsive to God's calling. He uses the analogy of hunting for God, stating that sometimes we can los
	Guidelines to Freedom Part 5 - Family Life - God's Way by Alistair Begg	In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the concept of respect and honor. He shares personal experiences of being taught to stand up as a mark of respect for teachers, visitors, an
	On Obedience to Parents by John Wesley	John Wesley emphasizes the biblical command for children to obey their parents, highlighting that this principle is universally recognized and rooted in both natural law and divine
	Sketches of Jewish Social Life - Part 2 by Alfred Edersheim	Alfred Edersheim delves into the Jewish perspective on the upbringing of children, highlighting the deep reverence and tenderness that Jewish parents had towards their offspring. H
	Day 15, Matthew 15 by David Servant	David Servant preaches on the importance of honoring parents by providing for their needs in old age, contrasting it with the Pharisees' tradition of neglecting this duty for the s
	The Centrality of the Trinity by Erlo Stegen	Erlo Stegen emphasizes the mystery and centrality of the Trinity in understanding God, illustrating that while we cannot fully comprehend His nature, we can appreciate the revelati
	Remember by Erlo Stegen	Erlo Stegen emphasizes the importance of remembrance in his sermon 'Remember,' illustrating how God does not forget His promises, as seen in the story of Noah. He contrasts this wi