Honouring Parents: The Fifth Commandment's Practical Demand

Matthew 15:4 presents Christ's defence of the Fifth Commandment against the scribes' corruption. To honour parents (timao, to show respect and value) comprises five essential elements: filial love, reverence and esteem, obedience and submission, succour and help, and the protection of their reputation through righteous conduct.

The scribes had weaponized the vow of Corban (a gift devoted to Elohim) to excuse sons from supporting aged parents in need. They pronounced the word in spite and anger, yet their interpretation neither obligated genuine temple service nor released them from natural duty—a sophistry Christ condemned.

George Washington, as a youth, exemplified this commandment. Ready to sail as a midshipman, his trunk aboard ship, he observed his mother's tears at farewell. He turned immediately to his servant: "Go and tell them to fetch my trunk back. I will not go away to break my mother's heart." His mother responded with prophetic blessing: "George, God has promised to bless the children that honour their parents; and I believe He will bless you."

The commandment enjoins natural obligation (rooted in creation), social obligation (the family's foundation), and Divine obligation (Yahweh's explicit requirement). Children obtain God's blessing, secure peace of conscience, and demonstrate that their faith possesses substance beyond mere lip profession—the very charge Christ levels against the Pharisees in verses following.