Mark 7

Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem.

And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault.

For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.

And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables.

Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?

He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.

Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctines the commandments of men.

For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.

And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.

For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death:

But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free.

And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother;

Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand:

There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.

If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.

And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable.

And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him;

Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?

And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.

For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,

Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:

All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

And from thence he arose, and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and entered into an house, and would have no man know it: but he could not be hid.

For a certain woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of him, and came and fell at his feet:

The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter.

But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs.

And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs.

And he said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter.

And when she was come to her house, she found the devil gone out, and her daughter laid upon the bed.

And again, departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, he came unto the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis.

And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech him to put his hand upon him.

And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue;

And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened.

And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain.

And he charged them that they should tell no man: but the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal they published it;

And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.

What does Mark 7:1 mean?

Explanation

Mark 7:1 begins a narrative that showcases the tension between Jesus and the religious authorities of his time, particularly the Pharisees and scribes.

In this verse, a group of these religious leaders comes to Jesus, noting that they came specifically from Jerusalem, which was the center of Jewish religious authority.

This detail suggests that they were not simply local religious figures but were part of the larger, more influential religious establishment.

The coming together of Pharisees and scribes highlights an alliance of two groups that were sometimes at odds with each other but here united in their interest in or opposition to Jesus' teachings and actions.

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Historical Context

At the time of this verse, Judaism was a religion heavily focused on law and traditions.

The Pharisees were a sect known for their strict adherence to Jewish law and for imposing rigorous standards of ritual purity.

They were also influential in the local synagogues.

The scribes were experts in Jewish law and tradition, often serving as teachers and legal authorities.

Jerusalem was not only the political capital of Judea but also the religious epicenter, home to the Temple and the Sanhedrin, the highest Jewish religious court.

The fact that the Pharisees and scribes came from Jerusalem to see Jesus indicates they were taking serious interest in His teachings, which were gaining popularity and causing concern among the religious elite.

Theological Insights

Theologically, this verse sets the stage for a debate about tradition versus the essence of faith. From one perspective, the Pharisees and scribes represent the human tendency to cling to tradition and ritual for righteousness.

In contrast, Jesus represents a challenge to this approach, emphasizing the heart's condition over external observances.

This theme is consistent with the broader message in the Gospels that Jesus came not to abolish the Law but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17), pointing people towards a more profound inner transformation rather than outward religious compliance.

Practical Applications

This verse can prompt modern readers to consider their own attitudes towards tradition and religion.

It may lead one to reflect on the importance of not elevating human traditions above divine commandments and to strive for sincerity and authenticity in their faith.

Practically, it means valuing the spirit behind religious practices more than the practices themselves and ensuring that external religious observance flows from a genuine relationship with God rather than mere habit or conformity to expectations.

Cross-References

Matthew 15:1-2: "Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread."
Matthew 23:1-3: "Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not."
Galatians 1:14: "And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers."

Language Study

Two key terms in Mark 7:1 are "Pharisees" and "scribes." "Pharisees" (Greek: Φαρισαῖοι, Pharisaioi) refers to a Jewish sect that emphasized strict observance of the Law and purity codes.

"Scribes" (Greek: γραμματεῖς, grammateis) denotes scholars or teachers of the Jewish Law, functioning as interpreters of the Torah and often serving in judicial roles.

The phrase "came together" (συναγόμενοι, synagomenoi) implies a purposeful assembly, suggesting a concerted effort to confront or question Jesus.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The interaction between Jesus and the Jewish religious authorities can be compared to other ancient cultures where religious leaders also held significant sway over the community.

For instance, in ancient Egypt, priests played a critical role in maintaining Ma'at (order) through rituals and had considerable influence.

The critique of religious authorities is not unique to Christianity; reform movements within various religious traditions have often questioned the establishment.

Examples include the Buddhist reformation movements or Islamic reformers who challenged rigid interpretations of Sharia.

Scientific Perspectives

The scholarly questioning of Jesus does not have direct scientific implications but instead speaks to the human nature of inquiry and skepticism.

From a social science perspective, the dynamics depicted in this verse showcase in-group vs. out-group behavior, authority, and the tension between traditionalism and reform that can be observed across various societal institutions.

Commentaries

Commentators often focus on the dynamic between Jesus, the Pharisees, and the scribes in this passage. They note that Mark is setting the stage for a conflict that highlights differences in understanding the Law and religious practice.

Some scholars point out that this scrutiny from Jerusalem's religious elites signifies the growing importance of Jesus' ministry and the threat it posed to the established religious order.

This convergence of Pharisees and scribes is seen as an effort to evaluate and challenge Jesus, which later leads to further debate on specific issues like purity laws and the observance of traditions.

Mark 7

Mark 7

What does Mark 7:1 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Mark Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Mark 7:1 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Mark Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?