This charge by Jesus against the Pharisees is a perfect example of how they had replaced the original law with their own traditions (Matthew 22:15 and Mark 7:3).

The original law specified that people were to honor and take care of their parents (exodus 20:12). But the Pharisees used their tradition known as Corban-or a gift devoted to God-yo get around this commandment.

For example, if the parents of a Pharisees needed financial help, he could say, “My property is Corban,” or devoted to God and the temple. He was permitted to continue to use the property as he please, but the Pharisaic traditions forbade him from using it to assist his parents, against whom he had invoked the Corban ban.

To Jesus, this was just a clever way of getting around the clear intent of the law. No wonder He condemned them as “hypocrites” (Matthew 23:15), “blind guides” (Matthew 23:16), and “serpents” (Matthew 23:33).

Mark 7:11 – Ye [Pharisees] say, if a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightiest be profited by me; he shall be free.