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 7:4 mean?

Explanation

Mark 7:4 speaks about certain ceremonial washings that the Pharisees and all the Jews practiced. These practices were not directly commanded in the Torah (the Law of Moses) but were traditions that had developed over time among the Jews.

The verse lists specific items such as cups, pots, brazen vessels (bronze containers), and tables (likely dining couches) that were ritually cleaned.

The Pharisees believed that these washings were necessary to maintain purity and avoid spiritual defilement which they thought could occur from contact with the marketplace, where they might interact with Gentiles or anything considered unclean.

The deeper meaning touches on the conflict between human traditions and God's commandments, as this part of Mark 7 sets up a discussion between Jesus and the Pharisees about what truly defiles a person.

Top Rated Mark Books

Historical Context

During the time of Jesus, Jewish society was highly structured around the Law of Moses and additional interpretations and traditions that rabbis had developed over the centuries, known as the Oral Law or later written down in the Mishnah.

These traditions included detailed ritual purity laws which went beyond the biblical injunctions.

Pharisees, in particular, emphasized strict adherence to these purity laws as a sign of piety and devotion to God.

The marketplace was a place of potential ritual impurity because it was a public area where Jews could come into contact with people and goods that did not meet these purity standards.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, this verse highlights several important debates. It illustrates the tension between the letter and the spirit of the Law, and raises questions about the authority of tradition versus scripture.

From a Christian viewpoint, it is often seen as emphasizing that external rituals cannot purify the heart, aligning with Jesus's teaching that inner purity is more important than outward observance.

Some theologians might argue that Jesus was not abolishing the Law, but fulfilling it by pointing to its intended purpose – the cultivation of a right relationship with God and others.

Practical Applications

Practically, this verse can remind readers of the importance of focusing on internal character rather than external rituals.

It warns against letting human traditions overshadow God's commandments and encourages believers to examine whether their practices enhance their relationship with God or simply serve as empty rituals.

It invites a reflection on what it means to be truly pure and challenges believers to seek purity of heart.

Cross-References

Matthew 15:2 - "Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread."
Matthew 23:25-26 - "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess."
Isaiah 29:13 - "Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:"
Colossians 2:8 - "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ."

Language Study

The verse uses the term "except they wash" which translate from the Greek word "βαπτίζωνται" (baptizontai), related to baptism, meaning to immerse or to cleanse by dipping.

The word for "cups" is "ποτήρια" (potēria), "pots" translates from "ξέστης" (xestes), and "brazen vessels" is from "χαλκίον" (chalkion), which literally means made of bronze or copper.

"Tables" is translated from "κλινῶν" (klinōn), which can refer to dining beds or couches used in a reclined position during meals.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In other ancient cultures, rituals of purification were also commonplace.

For example, in ancient Egyptian and Mesopotamian societies, water played a significant role in religious purification rites.

Comparing this to other religious interpretations, the concept of ritual purity is found across various belief systems, with similar discussions about the balance between outer cleanliness and inner morality.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, the washing rituals described could be seen to have practical benefits in terms of hygiene, especially considering the market's context as a place where food and goods were exchanged.

While the verse emphasizes ritual purity over physical cleanliness, modern understandings of germ theory and sanitation can offer appreciation for the practical side of such traditions, even if their primary purpose was symbolic.

Commentaries

Commentators on this verse often focus on the clash between Jesus and the religious authorities of the time.

Matthew Henry's commentary emphasizes the Pharisees' placing of tradition above the commandments of God, while William Barclay notes the danger of allowing human regulations to become more important than God's law.

Additionally, the United Bible Societies commentary gives insight into the social context, highlighting the differences in purity regulations between various Jewish sects and their significance in Jesus' teachings.

Mark 7

Mark 7

What does Mark 7:4 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 7:4 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?