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 doctrines 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.
Mark 7 presents a powerful narrative where Jesus confronts religious hypocrisy and emphasizes the importance of genuine faith and inner purity over adherence to man-made traditions. This chapter reveals Jesus' authority, not just over physical ailments, but also over deeply entrenched religious customs that had become barriers to true worship. In essence, Mark 7 underscores the profound truth that God desires a heart transformed by love and obedience, not just outward displays of piety. This chapter challenges us to examine our own hearts and ensure that our traditions and practices align with God's Word and character.
The Conflict Over Ritual Purity (Mark 7:1-5)
The chapter opens with scribes and Pharisees arriving from Jerusalem, the center of Jewish religious authority, to confront Jesus. Their concern wasn't about genuine holiness, but about the disciples' apparent disregard for the "tradition of the elders" – specifically, the meticulous washing of hands before meals (Mark 7:1-5). This wasn't about basic hygiene; it was about ceremonial purity, a complex system of rituals developed over generations and considered by many to be as binding as the Law of Moses itself. Mark clarifies that the Pharisees and all the Jews did not eat unless they carefully washed their hands, observing the tradition of the elders; and when they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other traditions that they observe, such as the washing of cups and pots and copper vessels and dining couches (Mark 7:3-4).
Hypocrisy Exposed: Empty Rituals vs. God's Commands (Mark 7:6-13)
Jesus doesn't shy away from directly addressing their hypocrisy (Mark 7:6-9). He quotes the prophet Isaiah, exposing the disconnect between their outward religious performance and the condition of their hearts: "‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men’" (Mark 7:6-7, quoting Isaiah 29:13). They were elevating human tradition above God's commands.
To illustrate this, Jesus uses the example of Corban (Mark 7:10-13). The law clearly commands children to honor their parents (Exodus 20:12; 21:17; Leviticus 20:9; Deuteronomy 5:16). However, the Pharisees had devised a loophole. By declaring their possessions "Corban," meaning dedicated to God, they could avoid using those resources to care for their aging parents, effectively neglecting their God-given responsibility while appearing pious. Jesus vehemently condemns this, stating that they "nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition that you have handed down" (Mark 7:13). Paul echoes this sentiment in 1 Timothy 5:8, emphasizing the importance of providing for one's family.
True Defilement: The Source of Impurity (Mark 7:14-23)
Turning to the crowd, Jesus shifts the focus from external rituals to the internal state of the heart. He declares, "There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him" (Mark 7:14-15). This statement was revolutionary, challenging the very foundation of the Pharisees' understanding of purity.
Even the disciples struggled to grasp this concept (Mark 7:17-18), prompting Jesus to explain further. He clarifies that food, once digested, passes through the body and doesn't affect one's spiritual state. True defilement comes from within, from the heart, where evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness originate (Mark 7:21-23). The Pharisees were so focused on outward appearances, but wickedness came from within them. It's not what goes into a person that defiles them, but what comes out.
Faith Beyond Boundaries: The Syrophoenician Woman (Mark 7:24-30)
Jesus then travels to the region of Tyre, a predominantly Gentile area (Mark 7:24). Even in this distant region, He couldn't escape notice (Mark 7:24). A Syrophoenician woman, a Gentile, approaches Him, pleading for Him to cast a demon out of her daughter (Mark 7:25-26).
Jesus initially responds with what seems like a harsh statement: "Let the children be fed first, for it is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs" (Mark 7:27). He was comparing the Jews to "children" and the Gentiles to "dogs," though the Greek word used referred to house-dogs or lap-dogs. Some scholars interpret this as dismissive, while others see it as a test of her faith. Regardless, the woman's response is remarkable. She humbly replies, "Yes, Lord; yet even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs" (Mark 7:28).
Her faith and persistence impress Jesus. He declares, "For this statement you may go your way; the demon has left your daughter" (Mark 7:29). The Jewish religious leaders sought to kill Jesus, but this poor Gentile woman had more faith than all of them put together. And Jesus rewarded it. This encounter highlights that faith transcends ethnic and cultural boundaries. The gospel is meant for the Jews first, but God's grace extends to all who believe, regardless of their background. Faith is the qualification for experiencing the kingdom of God.
Healing a Deaf and Mute Man (Mark 7:31-37)
Returning to the Decapolis, Jesus encounters a deaf man with a speech impediment (Mark 7:31-32). In a departure from his usual public miracles, Jesus takes the man aside privately (Mark 7:33).
He puts his fingers in the man's ears, touches his tongue with saliva, looks up to heaven, and sighs deeply (Mark 7:33-34). These actions demonstrate Jesus' compassion and personal involvement in the man's suffering. The sigh suggests a deep sorrow over the brokenness of the world. Then, He says, "Ephphatha," which means, "Be opened" (Mark 7:34).
Immediately, the man's hearing is restored, and he can speak clearly (Mark 7:35). Jesus instructs them not to tell anyone, but the people, overwhelmed with amazement, cannot contain their excitement. They proclaim, "He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak" (Mark 7:37). This miracle further demonstrates Jesus' power and authority, echoing the prophetic promises of healing and restoration.
Jesus demonstrated his genuine humanity and emotional involvement in the lives of those to whom he ministered. Though Jesus could work the miraculous with mere words, frequently his miracles involved physical touch, demonstrating his compassion and confirming that he was the author of the deed.
Implications for Today
Mark 7 challenges us to examine our own hearts and traditions. Are we more concerned with outward appearances and adherence to rules than with genuine love for God and others? Do our traditions enhance our worship and service, or do they become idols that hinder our relationship with God?
Following customs and traditions can’t fix your sinful heart. Only Jesus Christ, through his atoning work on the cross, can grant you forgiveness of sins and a transformed heart that is in sync with God, enabling you to love him and others.
The story of the Syrophoenician woman reminds us that God's grace is available to all who seek Him in faith, regardless of their background or past. The healing of the deaf and mute man demonstrates Jesus' compassion and power to transform lives.
Ultimately, Mark 7 calls us to pursue a faith that is rooted in genuine love, humility, and obedience to God's Word, rather than in empty rituals and man-made traditions.
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 doctrines 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.
Mark 7 presents a powerful narrative where Jesus confronts religious hypocrisy and emphasizes the importance of genuine faith and inner purity over adherence to man-made traditions. This chapter reveals Jesus' authority, not just over physical ailments, but also over deeply entrenched religious customs that had become barriers to true worship. In essence, Mark 7 underscores the profound truth that God desires a heart transformed by love and obedience, not just outward displays of piety. This chapter challenges us to examine our own hearts and ensure that our traditions and practices align with God's Word and character.
The Conflict Over Ritual Purity (Mark 7:1-5)
The chapter opens with scribes and Pharisees arriving from Jerusalem, the center of Jewish religious authority, to confront Jesus. Their concern wasn't about genuine holiness, but about the disciples' apparent disregard for the "tradition of the elders" – specifically, the meticulous washing of hands before meals (Mark 7:1-5). This wasn't about basic hygiene; it was about ceremonial purity, a complex system of rituals developed over generations and considered by many to be as binding as the Law of Moses itself. Mark clarifies that the Pharisees and all the Jews did not eat unless they carefully washed their hands, observing the tradition of the elders; and when they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other traditions that they observe, such as the washing of cups and pots and copper vessels and dining couches (Mark 7:3-4).
Hypocrisy Exposed: Empty Rituals vs. God's Commands (Mark 7:6-13)
Jesus doesn't shy away from directly addressing their hypocrisy (Mark 7:6-9). He quotes the prophet Isaiah, exposing the disconnect between their outward religious performance and the condition of their hearts: "‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men’" (Mark 7:6-7, quoting Isaiah 29:13). They were elevating human tradition above God's commands.
To illustrate this, Jesus uses the example of Corban (Mark 7:10-13). The law clearly commands children to honor their parents (Exodus 20:12; 21:17; Leviticus 20:9; Deuteronomy 5:16). However, the Pharisees had devised a loophole. By declaring their possessions "Corban," meaning dedicated to God, they could avoid using those resources to care for their aging parents, effectively neglecting their God-given responsibility while appearing pious. Jesus vehemently condemns this, stating that they "nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition that you have handed down" (Mark 7:13). Paul echoes this sentiment in 1 Timothy 5:8, emphasizing the importance of providing for one's family.
True Defilement: The Source of Impurity (Mark 7:14-23)
Turning to the crowd, Jesus shifts the focus from external rituals to the internal state of the heart. He declares, "There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him" (Mark 7:14-15). This statement was revolutionary, challenging the very foundation of the Pharisees' understanding of purity.
Even the disciples struggled to grasp this concept (Mark 7:17-18), prompting Jesus to explain further. He clarifies that food, once digested, passes through the body and doesn't affect one's spiritual state. True defilement comes from within, from the heart, where evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness originate (Mark 7:21-23). The Pharisees were so focused on outward appearances, but wickedness came from within them. It's not what goes into a person that defiles them, but what comes out.
Faith Beyond Boundaries: The Syrophoenician Woman (Mark 7:24-30)
Jesus then travels to the region of Tyre, a predominantly Gentile area (Mark 7:24). Even in this distant region, He couldn't escape notice (Mark 7:24). A Syrophoenician woman, a Gentile, approaches Him, pleading for Him to cast a demon out of her daughter (Mark 7:25-26).
Jesus initially responds with what seems like a harsh statement: "Let the children be fed first, for it is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs" (Mark 7:27). He was comparing the Jews to "children" and the Gentiles to "dogs," though the Greek word used referred to house-dogs or lap-dogs. Some scholars interpret this as dismissive, while others see it as a test of her faith. Regardless, the woman's response is remarkable. She humbly replies, "Yes, Lord; yet even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs" (Mark 7:28).
Her faith and persistence impress Jesus. He declares, "For this statement you may go your way; the demon has left your daughter" (Mark 7:29). The Jewish religious leaders sought to kill Jesus, but this poor Gentile woman had more faith than all of them put together. And Jesus rewarded it. This encounter highlights that faith transcends ethnic and cultural boundaries. The gospel is meant for the Jews first, but God's grace extends to all who believe, regardless of their background. Faith is the qualification for experiencing the kingdom of God.
Healing a Deaf and Mute Man (Mark 7:31-37)
Returning to the Decapolis, Jesus encounters a deaf man with a speech impediment (Mark 7:31-32). In a departure from his usual public miracles, Jesus takes the man aside privately (Mark 7:33).
He puts his fingers in the man's ears, touches his tongue with saliva, looks up to heaven, and sighs deeply (Mark 7:33-34). These actions demonstrate Jesus' compassion and personal involvement in the man's suffering. The sigh suggests a deep sorrow over the brokenness of the world. Then, He says, "Ephphatha," which means, "Be opened" (Mark 7:34).
Immediately, the man's hearing is restored, and he can speak clearly (Mark 7:35). Jesus instructs them not to tell anyone, but the people, overwhelmed with amazement, cannot contain their excitement. They proclaim, "He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak" (Mark 7:37). This miracle further demonstrates Jesus' power and authority, echoing the prophetic promises of healing and restoration.
Jesus demonstrated his genuine humanity and emotional involvement in the lives of those to whom he ministered. Though Jesus could work the miraculous with mere words, frequently his miracles involved physical touch, demonstrating his compassion and confirming that he was the author of the deed.
Implications for Today
Mark 7 challenges us to examine our own hearts and traditions. Are we more concerned with outward appearances and adherence to rules than with genuine love for God and others? Do our traditions enhance our worship and service, or do they become idols that hinder our relationship with God?
Following customs and traditions can’t fix your sinful heart. Only Jesus Christ, through his atoning work on the cross, can grant you forgiveness of sins and a transformed heart that is in sync with God, enabling you to love him and others.
The story of the Syrophoenician woman reminds us that God's grace is available to all who seek Him in faith, regardless of their background or past. The healing of the deaf and mute man demonstrates Jesus' compassion and power to transform lives.
Ultimately, Mark 7 calls us to pursue a faith that is rooted in genuine love, humility, and obedience to God's Word, rather than in empty rituals and man-made traditions.