Did Jesus support the death penalty for rebellious children?

Jesus

^(How do Christians understand this verse where Jesus corrects the religious Jews of his day for not keeping the death penalty sentence on rebellious children who would not honor their parents? Jesus even quotes the Torah commandment where someone who curses father or mother should be put to death, and says that it is the command of God.)

^(Wouldn’t this make the Pharisees more merciful than both Jesus and God the Father?)

^(Mark 7:9-13 (NKJV))

^(9) He said to them, “All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition. ^(10) For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’ ^(11) But you say, ‘If a man says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban”—’ (that is, a gift to God), ^(12) then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother, ^(13) making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.”

Matthew 15:3-6 (NKJV)

^(3) He answered and said to them, “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition? ^(4) For God commanded, saying, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’ ^(5) But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother,“Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God”— ^(6) then he need not honor his father or mother.’ Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition.

Posted Jun 17, 2026, 1:14 PM UTC

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