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 7:30 mean?

Explanation

The verse Mark 7:30 in the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible is part of an account where Jesus performs an exorcism from a distance.

The verse describes the moment a Gentile woman, who had previously begged Jesus to cast a demon out of her daughter, returns to her home to find her child freed from the demonic possession and resting peacefully on the bed.

The literal meaning of this verse is rather straightforward: the woman discovered the affliction her daughter had suffered from had been removed.

On a deeper level, this event illustrates Jesus' power and willingness to heal and perform miracles, regardless of an individual's cultural or religious background.

It also reinforces the idea of faith, as the healing occurred following the woman's plea and demonstration of faith in Jesus' power to heal.

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Historical Context

During the time of Jesus, Jewish people typically avoided contact with Gentiles, whom they considered unclean.

This story is set in the region of Tyre and Sidon, which is predominantly a non-Jewish area.

The woman in the story is a Syrophoenician, a term used to describe someone from the Phoenician part of Syria, who were historically pagans.

The passage reflects the early Christian message of breaking through the boundaries between Jews and Gentiles, pointing towards a new inclusiveness in the Christian community.

Theological Insights

Different theological perspectives focus on various aspects of this verse.

From a traditional Christian viewpoint, the passage illustrates the omnipotence of Jesus, who is capable of performing miraculous healings.

In addition, it shows the graciousness of Jesus, who extends his mercy beyond the Jewish people to include Gentiles.

This story is sometimes cited to demonstrate that faith is recognized by Jesus and rewarded regardless of one's cultural or ethnic background.

It can also be taken as an affirmation of the Christian belief that Jesus' mission was universal, intended for all humanity.

Practical Applications

In practical terms, this verse can inspire believers to have faith, even in situations that seem hopeless, as the woman's faith leads to a miraculous healing for her daughter.

It also encourages inclusivity, compassion, and help for all, regardless of their background, reflecting Jesus’ example of serving people from all walks of life.

Christian believers are reminded that faith is a key component to witness and experience divine intervention.

Cross-References

Matthew 15:21-28: The parallel account of the Syrophoenician woman's faith and Jesus' healing of her daughter.
Mark 5:34: Another example of faith being rewarded.

Jesus told a woman with a blood issue that her faith had healed her.

Luke 4:27: Jesus referencing the healing of Naaman the Syrian, another instance of a non-Israelite receiving God's blessings.
Acts 10:34-35: Peter realizes that God does not show favoritism and accepts those from every nation who fear him and do what is right.

Language Study

The original Greek term used for "daughter" is "θυγάτριον" (thugatrion), which is a diminutive form of "θυγάτηρ" (thugatēr), meaning a young daughter or little girl.

"Daemonizomai" is the form used to describe being afflicted by a demon.

The Greek phrase "εὑρίσκει" (heuriskei) translated as "she found," implies a discovery or realization, often one with positive connotations.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In many ancient cultures, demons were believed to be the cause of certain illnesses, not just within Jewish beliefs but also in wider Hellenistic and pagan cultures.

The act of exorcism or expulsion of evil spirits finds parallels in many religious practices of the time.

What sets apart this account in the Christian context is the authority by which Jesus casts out the demon without rituals or incantations, which contrasts with some other cultural exorcism practices that involved more elaborate rites.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern scientific understanding interprets what were historically attributed to demonic possession as symptomatic of various mental or physical health issues.

While the Bible attributes these conditions to spiritual afflictions, contemporary science would look to diagnose and treat such symptoms with medicine and psychology.

The power of belief and faith in physical and mental health, however, is an area of interest in psychosomatic medicine and the study of the placebo effect.

commentaries

Leading biblical commentators offer varied insights on Mark 7:30.

Some view it as a demonstration of Jesus' divinity, highlighting his ability to heal from a distance, signifying that his power is not limited to personal presence. Others focus on the centricity of faith - that the woman's persistence and belief resulted in the healing of her daughter.

Commentators like William Barclay have suggested that the healing acts of Jesus were not just physical but also served to restore individuals to their community.

Matthew Henry's commentary commends the woman for her great faith and underlines the notion that Christ's benefits are extended to all, reflecting a universalist approach to salvation.

Mark 7

Mark 7

What does Mark 7:30 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 7:30 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?