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 7:6 mean?

Explanation

Mark 7:6 is a verse in the New Testament of the Christian Bible where Jesus criticizes the religious leaders of the time for their hypocrisy.

The verse sees Jesus responding to the Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law, who questioned why His disciples did not follow the traditional Jewish ritual of hand washing before eating.

Jesus quotes the prophet Isaiah, reinforcing that their worship is insincere; they honor God with their words, but their hearts are not truly devoted to Him.

The message conveys a critique of external adherence to religious rituals without genuine internal faith and piety.

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Historical Context

This verse is set in the historical context of Jewish life under Roman occupation in the 1st century AD.

At this time, the Pharisees were a prominent religious sect in Judaism known for strict adherence to the Torah and the oral traditions.

These traditions included detailed rituals for purity, which they believed were necessary to maintain holiness.

By citing Isaiah, Jesus challenges the religious leaders' emphasis on ritual purity, suggesting that they have missed the heart of God's commandments.

Theological Insights

From an evangelical perspective, this verse emphasizes that true worship must come from the heart and not merely through external observance of religious practices. In Catholic theology, this might underline the importance of internal disposition when participating in sacraments or rituals.

In a more general Christian context, it speaks to the necessity of authenticity in one's relationship with God, the outward actions must reflect an inward transformation.

Practical Applications

In practical terms, Mark 7:6 encourages individuals to examine their motives behind religious practices. It serves as a reminder that one's personal relationship with God should not be reduced to mere formalities.

Christians are invited to ensure that their outward expressions of faith, from church attendance to prayer and charitable deeds, stem from a heart genuinely seeking after God.

Cross-References

Isaiah 29:13 (KJV): "Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honor me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:"
Matthew 15:8-9 (KJV): "This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men."

James 1:26 (KJV): "If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain."

Language Study

The key words in the original Greek text of Mark 7:6 include:

"Hypocrites" (ὑποκριταί, hypokritai): This term originally referred to actors who wore masks, hence metaphorically those who pretend or play a role.
"Honoureth" (τιμᾷ, tima): This verb conveys the idea of holding in high regard or showing respect.
"Heart" (καρδίᾳ, kardia): In the Jewish understanding, the heart represented the center of emotional, spiritual, and intellectual life.
"Far" (πόρρω, porrō): Indicates a great distance, which metaphorically implies being removed or separated in relation.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In many ancient cultures, there was an emphasis on external religious duties and rituals that needed to be performed to appease the gods. This can be compared to the Hebrew traditions of purity and sacrifice.

However, several prophetic voices within the Hebrew scripture, like Isaiah and later Jesus, called for a more introspective faith that valued the inner spiritual condition over mere outward observance.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific point of view, one could explore the psychological aspects of hypocrisy and how adhering to outer rituals without internal belief could impact an individual's mental health or societal behavior.

Cognitive dissonance theory suggests that there would be psychological stress experienced by individuals when their actions do not align with their beliefs, which resonates with this verse's warning against hypocrisy.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians have provided various interpretations of Mark 7:6.

William Barclay emphasizes the peril of substituting human teachings for divine law.

John Calvin points out that the Pharisees had allowed the commandments of God to be "buried under their own inventions." The Expositor's Bible Commentary highlights how religious leaders frequently honored God with their words while their hearts were preoccupied with their own religious systems that ultimately negated the commandments of God.

Mark 7

Mark 7

What does Mark 7:6 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 7:6 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?