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 7:9 mean?

Explanation

Mark 7:9 is a verse in which Jesus confronts the Pharisees and scribes regarding their adherence to traditions over the commandments of God.

In this verse, Jesus accuses the religious leaders of his day of setting aside God's commandments to uphold human traditions.

The verse is indicative of the tension between Jesus's teachings and the practices of the religious establishment, highlighting a central theme in the Gospels of prioritizing divine commandments over human-made rules and rituals.

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Historical Context

The historical context of Mark 7:9 finds Jesus in a discussion with the Pharisees and scribes, who were religious leaders and legal experts in Jewish law.

The Pharisees were known for their strict observance of the Torah and oral traditions, which they believed to have equal authority as the written law.

These traditions had developed over time to help Jews maintain purity and follow the Law in their everyday lives, especially after the Babylonian Exile.

However, Jesus challenges the excesses of these traditions, which could overshadow the more important aspects of faith and righteousness.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, Mark 7:9 showcases Jesus's emphasis on the heart's purity over ritualistic purity.

It reflects his broader mission of returning to the core tenets of the faith, such as justice, mercy, and faithfulness, which he saw as being neglected.

Jesus's critique of the Pharisees suggests that external compliance with religious customs is not sufficient for true righteousness.

Different Christian denominations might focus on varying aspects of this critique – for example, emphasizing the need for a personal relationship with God over ritualistic practice or cautioning against legalism in church doctrine and life.

Practical Applications

The teaching in Mark 7:9 has practical applications for modern believers, urging them to examine their own religious practices and beliefs.

It encourages individuals to prioritize the commandments of God over human traditions and to be aware of when traditions could become obstacles to genuine faith.

This verse can be used to challenge believers to seek the meaning behind their religious practices and to ensure that their actions are aligned with the values and commands that God has set forth.

Cross-References

Matthew 15:3: "But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?"
Matthew 23:23: "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone."
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

In the original Greek text of Mark 7:9, the key phrase "Full well ye reject" (καλῶς ἀθετεῖτε) carries the sense of deliberately setting aside or invalidating something.

The word "ἀθετεῖτε" (atheteite) is derived from "ἀθετέω" (atheteo), which means to nullify or regard as nothing.

This suggests that the Pharisees are actively dismissing God's commandments to keep their own tradition ("παράδοσιν" - "paradosin"), where "παράδοσις" (paradosis) refers to the handing down of customs or beliefs from one generation to the next.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The tension between religious traditions and core commandments is not unique to Christianity.

In many religions, there is a constant struggle between preserving traditional practices and adapting to the changing understanding of faith.

For instance, in Hinduism, the Vedas are considered the eternal truths, while customs and rituals (Sanskars) have evolved over time and can sometimes overshadow the underlying spiritual goals.

Similarly, in Islam, the Sunnah (traditions of the Prophet) are followed with respect, but there is debate about the place of Hadith (record of the sayings and actions of the Prophet) vis-à-vis the Quranic text.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern scientific understandings do not typically intersect directly with religious verses such as Mark 7:9.

However, psychology may offer insights into the human tendency to adhere to traditions, sometimes at the expense of original intentions or values.

The cognitive dissonance theory, for one, can help explain the discomfort individuals feel when their actions are inconsistent with their beliefs, possibly motivating rationalizations to align traditions with current values.

Commentaries

Commentators on the Book of Mark generally agree that in Mark 7:9, Jesus is condemning the Pharisees' practice of elevating their own traditions above the commandments of God.

For example, the Pulpit Commentary notes that the Pharisees were particularly devoted to their traditions, even when they clashed with the Law of Moses.

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible suggests that Jesus admonishes the Pharisees for their disregard for God's Word, creating a clear distinction between human traditions and divine law.

Matthew Henry's Commentary extends this idea, observing that tradition often challenges true piety, warning believers to be diligent in distinguishing between divine requirements and human inventions.

Mark 7

Mark 7

What does Mark 7:9 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 7:9 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?