Skip to main content
mark 7:1-14

Explore the Bible Online

Mark 7:1-14

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”

— D.L. Moody

Scripture focus

1. Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem. 2. And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault. 3. For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash [their] hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. 4. 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. 5. 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? 6. 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. 7. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching [for] doctrines the commandments of men. 8. 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. 9. And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. 10. For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death: 11. 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]. 12. And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother; 13. Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye. 14. And when he had called all the people [unto him], he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one [of you], and understand:

Mark 7:1-14 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Mark 7:1

Theological / Devotional

Then came. [Contention About Tradition and Ceremonial Defilement, Mark 7:1–23=Matt. 15:1–20. Major comment: Mark. See Closing Galilean Ministry; cf. pp. 18, 96–100.] At this point in the narrative both Matthew and Mark pass over the significant incident in the synagogue at Capernaum, when, at the close of the discourse on the Bread of Life, popular sentiment in Galilee turned against Jesus (see John 6:25 to 7:1; see on Matt. 15:21). Contrary to custom, Jesus had remained in Galilee during the Passover season (see John 7:1), no doubt quietly ministering to the needs of the people (see on Mark 6:56). Soon after the feast, probably during the latter part of April or early May, there occurred this encounter with the scribes and Pharisees, who had recently returned from Jerusalem.

Pharisees. See pp. 51, 52.

Scribes. See p. 55; see on ch. 1:22.

From Jerusalem. The Jewish leaders had been greatly alarmed by the rapid extension of the gospel evidenced by the recent Third Galilean Tour (see on Matt. 15:21; Mark 6:14). The men here referred to were no doubt members of a more or less official delegation from the Sanhedrin, dispatched for the specific purpose of seeking an excuse to bring the ministry of Jesus to a close.

By SdaBc