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 7:8 mean?

Explanation

Mark 7:8 focuses on a critique of religious practices that favor human traditions over divine commandments.

Here, Jesus is addressing a practice among some Jewish people of His time, specifically the Pharisees and scribes, who placed great emphasis on ritual purity as expressed through various washings and purifications (e.g., of pots and cups).

Jesus criticized them for allowing these traditions to take precedence over the more important mandates of God.

This verse draws attention to the potential for religious tradition to become an end in itself, rather than a means to honor God and pursue a life of holiness and righteousness.

Top Rated Mark Books

Historical Context

The verse comes from a passage in the Gospel of Mark where Jesus is confronted by Pharisees and scribes about the observance of traditional purity laws.

During the time of Jesus, the Jewish community had developed a complex system of traditions called the "Oral Torah", which was later written down in the Mishnah and the Talmud, that built upon the written laws of the Hebrew Scriptures.

Among these were detailed instructions about ritual washing, believed to be necessary for maintaining purity.

Jesus' response in Mark 7 challenges the substitution of human tradition for divine law, a debate that reflects the tensions within Judaism at the time.

Theological Insights

From a Christian theological perspective, this verse is often understood to emphasize the priority of the heart's condition over external rituals. It echoes the biblical theme that God desires inner righteousness rather than mere outward conformity to rules.

Some theologians see this as a prelude to the New Testament's message of grace that transcends legalistic observances.

Catholic and Orthodox interpretations might balance this verse with the recognition of the value of some traditions, provided they lead believers closer to God.

In other religious traditions, such as Judaism, the interpretation may focus more on a correct balance between the letter and the spirit of the law.

Practical Applications

This verse can inspire individuals to consider whether their religious practices are truly aligned with divine intention or whether they have become empty rituals.

It encourages believers to evaluate traditions and customs and to eliminate those that may overshadow or contradict core spiritual principles.

Practically, it calls for a focus on inner transformation and a living faith that goes beyond surface-level adherence to religious norms.

Cross-References

Matthew 15:3: "But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?"
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."
1 Peter 1:18: "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;"

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the term "paradosin" (παράδοσιν) is used for "tradition". It refers to something handed down from one to another.

The term "aphentes" (ἀφέντες) means 'laying aside' or 'neglecting'. This language indicates that the deliberate action of setting aside God’s command to adhere to human traditions is at issue.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Comparisons can be drawn with other ancient religious systems that had complex rituals and purity laws, such as those in Egypt or Mesopotamia.

In various religions, the tension between prescribed rituals and the intention behind them has been a theme, often leading to reform movements that seek to return to the original spiritual essence of the faith.

Scientific Perspectives

This verse does not directly intersect with scientific understandings, as it deals with matters of religious practice and belief.

However, the focus on ritual washings could open a discussion about the psychological and sociological aspects of ritual purity as a means of creating a sense of control and order within a community.

Commentaries

Commentators throughout history have offered various interpretations of this verse.

Many agree on its fundamental critique of legalism.

Matthew Henry’s Commentary emphasizes that traditions are not to be completely disregarded but must not be allowed to violate God's commandments.

The Pulpit Commentary notes that Mark 7:8 shows the danger in allowing human teachings to have the same authority as divine law.

John Calvin's commentary highlights that human inventions in worship obscure and ultimately replace God's commands, something he sees as a clear warning against the practices of the Roman Catholic Church of his time.

Mark 7

Mark 7

What does Mark 7:8 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 7:8 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?