Mark 7
In Mark 7, Jesus confronts the Pharisees and teachers of the law who criticize His disciples for not following traditional handwashing rituals. Through His responses, Jesus emphasizes the importance of inner purity over external observances. He challenges the practices of ritualistic traditions that overshadow genuine devotion and obedience to God. Jesus later interacts with a Gentile woman, demonstrating His compassion beyond the boundaries of Israel, and heals a deaf and mute man, revealing His power and mercy. This chapter highlights the contrast between human traditions and divine commands, as well as Jesus' inclusive mission.
Mark 7:1-2 (NKJV)
1 Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes came together to Him, having come from Jerusalem.
2 Now when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault.
The Pharisees and scribes observed the disciples eating without performing the ceremonial handwashing, a ritual emphasizing ritual purity rather than hygiene. This tradition was an addition to the Mosaic Law, meant to symbolize moral cleanliness, but had become more about outward appearances. Their judgment of the disciples reveals their focus on tradition over understanding God’s true intentions regarding purity.
Mark 7:3-5 (NKJV)
3 For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands in a special way, holding the tradition of the elders.
4 When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other things which they have received and hold, like the washing of cups, pitchers, copper vessels, and couches.
5 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?”
The Pharisees strictly adhered to additional ceremonial practices, developed by “the elders,” that extended beyond Scripture. This ritual washing represented spiritual cleansing, but it became a way to judge others' devotion based on adherence to traditions. By questioning Jesus, they imply that He and His disciples are disregarding holiness, focusing more on human customs than on inner purity.
Mark 7:6-7 (NKJV)
6 He answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.
7 And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’
Jesus responds by quoting Isaiah, exposing the Pharisees’ hypocrisy. Their worship is superficial, driven by traditions rather than heartfelt devotion. By substituting human commandments for God’s instructions, they practice an empty form of worship that lacks genuine connection with God. This criticism reveals their misplaced priorities and warns against equating tradition with true faith.
Mark 7:8-9 (NKJV)
8 For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men—the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do.”
9 He said to them, “All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.
Jesus accuses them of disregarding God’s commandments in favor of man-made traditions. They prioritize their interpretations over God’s direct teachings, valuing ritual practices like washing utensils over core principles of faith. This reveals the danger of allowing human customs to overshadow God's will, ultimately distorting religious practices and leading people away from true worship.
Mark 7:10-13 (NKJV)
10 For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’
11 But you say, ‘If a man says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban”—’ (that is, a gift to God),
12 then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother,
13 making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.”
Jesus illustrates their hypocrisy by pointing out the tradition of “Corban.” By declaring possessions as dedicated to God, people could avoid supporting their parents, violating the commandment to honor them. The Pharisees sanctioned this practice, thus undermining God’s command with a tradition that served their interests. This shows how prioritizing traditions over commandments can lead to moral failures.
Mark 7:14-15 (NKJV)
14 When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear Me, everyone, and understand:
15 There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man.
Jesus teaches the crowd that external factors, like food or drink, do not defile a person spiritually. Instead, impurity stems from internal attitudes and actions. This teaching challenges the focus on ritual cleanliness and emphasizes that true purity is about moral and spiritual integrity, not adherence to ceremonial practices.
Mark 7:16-20 (NKJV)
16 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!”
17 When He had entered a house away from the crowd, His disciples asked Him concerning the parable.
18 So He said to them, “Are you thus without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him,
19 because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?”
20 And He said, “What comes out of a man, that defiles a man.
Jesus explains that it is not what enters the body, such as food, that defiles someone spiritually, but what comes out of the heart—evil thoughts, actions, and intentions. This teaching challenges the ceremonial laws of clean and unclean foods in the Mosaic Law, emphasizing their symbolic nature rather than spiritual impact in the New Covenant. While Jesus declares all foods spiritually clean, it’s important to note that some meats, like pork, can still be physically unhealthy or unclean due to their nature and potential health risks. Thus, avoiding certain meats is not a spiritual requirement but a wise health practice. Similarly, it is a good practice to wash hands before eating for health reasons, though it has no bearing on spiritual cleanliness.
Mark 7:21-23 (NKJV)
21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
22 thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.
23 All these evil things come from within and defile a man.”
Jesus lists sins that originate within the heart, emphasizing that true defilement is a matter of moral corruption. These sinful attitudes and actions, rather than ritual impurities, separate people from God. This teaching highlights the importance of inner transformation, as actions reflect the state of one’s heart.
Mark 7:24-30 (NKJV)
24 From there He arose and went to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And He entered a house and wanted no one to know it, but He could not be hidden.
25 For a woman whose young daughter had an unclean spirit heard about Him, and she came and fell at His feet.
26 The woman was a Greek, a Syro-Phoenician by birth, and she kept asking Him to cast the demon out of her daughter.
27 But Jesus said to her, “Let the children be filled first, for it is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.”
28 And she answered and said to Him, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs under the table eat from the children’s crumbs.”
29 Then He said to her, “For this saying go your way; the demon has gone out of your daughter.”
30 And when she had come to her house, she found the demon gone out, and her daughter lying on the bed.
A Gentile woman approaches Jesus for healing, and He initially responds with a statement that seems to limit His mission to Israel. However, her faith and humility in persisting lead to her daughter’s deliverance. This encounter reveals Jesus’ openness to those outside Israel and the power of faith, regardless of ethnic background.
Mark 7:31-37 (NKJV)
31 Again, departing from the region of Tyre and Sidon, He came through the midst of the region of Decapolis to the Sea of Galilee.
32 Then they brought to Him one who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech, and they begged Him to put His hand on him.
33 And He took him aside from the multitude, and put His fingers in his ears, and He spat and touched his tongue.
34 Then, looking up to heaven, He sighed, and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.”
35 Immediately his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was loosed, and he spoke plainly.
36 Then He commanded them that they should tell no one; but the more He commanded them, the more widely they proclaimed it.
37 And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He makes both the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.”
Jesus heals a deaf and mute man in a compassionate, intimate way, symbolizing the opening of spiritual understanding. Despite Jesus’ request for secrecy, the man’s healing leads to widespread amazement. This miracle underscores Jesus’ authority over all afflictions and reinforces His mission to restore wholeness to humanity.