Bible Commentaries
Mark 7

Verses 1-23

Perseverance: Preaching in the Midst of Offences - In Mark 6:14 to Mark 7:23 the emphasis moves from divine service through preaching the Word of God to perseverance in the midst of persecutions, where Jesus begins to train to His disciples in the midst of rising unrest among the Jews.

Outline Here is a proposed outline:

1. Narrative: Persecutions Arise Mark 6:14-56

2. Sermon - Jesus Preaches Against Tradition Mark 7:1-23

Verses 1-37

The Preaching Ministry of Jesus Christ Mark 1:14 to Mark 13:37 describes the preaching ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ as well as the miracles that accompanying the proclamation of the Gospel. His public ministry can be divided into sections that reflect God’s divine plan of redemption being fulfilled in Jesus’s life.

Outline Here is a proposed outline:

1. Indoctrination - The Preaching of Jesus Christ in Galilee Mark 1:14 to Mark 4:34

2. Divine Service Training the Twelve in Galilee Mark 4:35 to Mark 6:13

3. Perseverance: Preaching against Man’s Traditions Mark 6:14 to Mark 7:23

4. Perseverance - Beyond Galilee Mark 7:24 to Mark 9:50

5. Glorification - In Route to and in Jerusalem Mark 10:1 to Mark 13:37

Verses 24-30

The Faith of the Syrophoenician Woman (Matthew 15:21-28 ) Mark 7:24-30 gives us the account of how the Gentiles received the message of Jesus Christ when He recognized the strong faith of the Syrophoenician woman.

Mark 7:27 “Let the children first be filled” - Comments - The feeding of the five thousand illustrates the Lord filling the children of Israel (Mark 6:42).

Mark 6:42, “And they did all eat, and were filled.”

Mark 7:27 Comments - We see the heart of God in the statement, “Let the children be filled.” In His earthly ministry, Jesus desires to fill the nation of Israel with manifold blessings until they were full; for these were His children, and the children of His friend Abraham. If Jesus’ statement to the Syrophenician woman sounded too harsh, we must remember that we too, give our immediate family members and close friends the same priorities. We do for them first before we do for others.

Mark 7:28 And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs.

Mark 7:28 Comments - One preacher paraphrases the woman’s reply by saying, “You can call me anything you want; just call me when it’s time to eat.”

Mark 7:29 And he said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter.

Mark 7:29 Comments Matthew’s account adds that this woman’s great faith made her daughter whole (Matthew 15:28), a compliment that Jesus gave to only two individuals, both of whom were Gentiles, the other being the Roman centurion (Matthew 8:10).

Matthew 15:28, “Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.”

Matthew 8:10, “When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.”

Verses 24-37

Perseverance: Preaching and Offences In Mark 7:24 to Mark 9:50 the emphasis moves from indoctrination to perseverance, where Jesus teaches His disciples the need to continue in the lifestyle of preaching and healing.

Outline: Here is a proposed outline:

1. Narrative Mark 7:24 to Mark 9:32

2. Sermon - Jesus Preaches on Humility and Offenses Mark 9:33-50

Verses 31-37

Jesus Heals a Deaf Mute Mark 7:31-37 gives us the unique account of Jesus healing a deaf and dumb man. As in the previous story of Syrophoenician woman, this man was probably another Gentile.

Mark 7:32 “and they beseech him to put his hand upon him” - Comments - Jesus met them at their point of faith. He touched the man as they requested of Him.

Mark 7:32 Comments - This person was deaf and dumb, so in verse 33 Jesus touches his ears and his tongue. Note how the parallel passage in Mark differs:

Mark 8:23, “And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought.”

Mark 7:33-37 Comments - Jesus Heals a Deaf Mute - I pray that God would take me aside, cause me to hear His voice in order to speak His Gospel to a lost and dying world. (July 14, 1983)