And He said to them, “Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.’ For Moses said, ‘Honor you father and mother’; and, ‘He who speaks evil of father or mother, is to be put to death.'” Mark 7:6, 10 (NASB)
Both Jesus and the Pharisees, to whom He was speaking, agreed that the Law required children to honor their parents (Exodus 20:12). A severe punishment was to be administered to anyone who spoke harshly against his or her parents (Leviticus 20:9). However, though the Pharisees gave lip service to this command, they cleverly managed to violate its intent (Mark 7:11-21). Because they avoided their responsibilities, Jesus charged them with hypocrisy.
Even among Christians, we occasionally hear of family squabbles over who will “get stuck with” mom or dad. It is clear that honoring aged parents must involve visiting them, encouraging them, sympathizing with their woes, and generally exhibiting love and gratitude toward them. Nursing homes and care centers serve an important role; but they must never take the place of our exercising personal care. Honoring one’s father and mother means much more than just showing respect for them verbally.