An instance of the advantage of using the Revised Version of the Bible may be found in Mark 7:11-12, which is quoted in an article on another page of this number. Many people have read, "You say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever you might be profited by me; he shall be free. And you suffer him no more to do aught for his father or his mother." (Mark 7:11-12)
And have been puzzled by the inverted construction. But when we read the Revisions, all is clear: "You say, if a man shall say to his father or his mother, That wherewith you might have been profited by me is Corban, that is to say, Given to God; You no longer suffer him to do aught for his father or his mother." (Mark 7:11-12)
Now the meaning is clear. "Corban" is a Hebrew word meaning an offering, an oblation; and the Rabbis taught that if a man took the money that should have been used for the support of his parents, and devoted it to the temple service, it was a pious act, and he was free from any responsibility for them.
But Christ did not so regard it. The commandment says, "Honor your father and your mother." (Exodus 20:12)
And through His prophet the Lord has said, "To obey is better than sacrifice." (1 Samuel 15:22)
Sacrifice in unrighteousness is an abomination; and no amount of "work for the Lord" is a substitute for doing the simple duties of life.--Present Truth, January 30, 1902--Timeline: IV-42 (Contention about Tradition / Ceremonial)--Mark 7:11-12.