<p>7:13 <em>Making void the word of God by your tradition which you have delivered; and you do many similar things</em>- see on Mt. 13:39. It could mean, literally, of no authority. Again the Lord is making the point that practical obedience to God&rsquo;s word is a function of what authority we give it. To disobey God&rsquo;s commands by seeking to &lsquo;get around&rsquo; them is effectively saying that God&rsquo;s word is of no authority. And this is the context of this whole discussion- God&rsquo;s word is the sole authority, and not human tradition and the concessions to disobedience made by men. His word is sent forth and&nbsp;<em>will accomplish&nbsp;</em>its purpose, Isaiah says; and yet we can make &ldquo;the word of God of none effect&rdquo; by our traditions or our lack of preaching it. The word / Gospel will inevitably have a result, and yet it is also limited by the attitudes of men.<br />Or we can understand &ldquo;effect&rdquo; as just that- effect. The command to honour and practically care for elderly parents had an &ldquo;effect&rdquo;. God&rsquo;s laws are not simple tests of obedience for the sake of it. The process of obedience has &ldquo;effect&rdquo;; disobedience therefore robs us of the positive effect which obedience will bring. Caring for elderly parents, putting &ldquo;honour&rdquo; into practice rather than leaving it as mere words, is designed to teach us something. In Matthew we read of the &ldquo;commandment&rdquo; (<em>entole</em>) of God, but in Mk. 7:13 of the &ldquo;word&rdquo; (<em>logos</em>) of God. What did the Lord say? Perhaps: &lsquo;You make the commandment, that is, the intention (<em>logos</em>) of God, of no effect&rdquo;. God&rsquo;s word of command is a&nbsp;<em>logos</em>, an intention. See on :9&nbsp;<em>in vain</em>.&nbsp;</p>