Bible Commentaries
Mark 7

Introduction

Overview

Mark 7:1, The Pharisees find fault with the disciples for eating with unwashed hands; Mark 7:8, They break the commandment of God by the traditions of men; Mark 7:14, Meat defiles not the man; Mark 7:24, He heals the Syrophenician woman’s daughter of an unclean spirit; Mark 7:31, and one that was deaf, and stammered in his speech.

Verse 1

The Pharisees: Mark 3:22, Matthew 15:1, Luke 5:17, Luke 11:53, Luke 11:54

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 4:2 - General Ezra 7:11 - a scribe Mark 8:11 - Pharisees

Verse 2

defiled: or, common, Acts 10:14, Acts 10:15, Acts 10:28

they found: Daniel 6:4, Daniel 6:5, Matthew 7:3-5, Matthew 23:23-25

Reciprocal: Leviticus 11:8 - they are unclean Job 17:9 - clean Job 31:14 - when he Isaiah 29:13 - their fear Matthew 15:2 - transgress Mark 8:11 - Pharisees Luke 11:38 - he marvelled John 2:6 - after John 3:25 - about Acts 11:8 - common

Verse 3

oft: or, diligently, Gr. With the fist, Up to the elbow, Theophylact. ץדלח [Strong's G4435], the fist; which Dr. Lightfoot illustrates by a tradition from the Talmudical tracts, that when they washed their hands, they washed the fist up to the joint of the arm, עד פרק. The Jews laid great stress on these washings, or baptisms, גבנפיףלןץע [Strong's G909], considering eating with unwashen hands no ordinary crime, and feigning that an evil spirit, called Shibta, has a right to sit on the food of him who thus eats, and render it hurtful.

the tradition: Mark 7:7-10, Mark 7:13, Matthew 15:2-6, Galatians 1:14, Colossians 2:8, Colossians 2:21-23, 1 Peter 1:18

Reciprocal: Matthew 3:7 - the Pharisees Matthew 15:20 - but Mark 1:22 - as the Mark 7:8 - the tradition Luke 5:30 - General

Verse 4

except: Job 9:30, Job 9:31, Psalms 26:6, Isaiah 1:16, Jeremiah 4:14, Matthew 27:24, Luke 11:38, Luke 11:39, John 2:6, John 3:25, Hebrews 9:10, James 4:8, 1 John 1:7

pots: "Gr. Sextarius; about a pint and a half."

tables: or, beds

Reciprocal: Matthew 15:20 - but Matthew 23:25 - for Mark 7:8 - the tradition Hebrews 6:2 - the doctrine

Verse 5

Mark 2:16-18, Matthew 15:2, Acts 21:21, Acts 21:24, Romans 4:12, 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 2 Thessalonians 3:11

Reciprocal: Matthew 7:29 - and not

Verse 6

Well: Isaiah 29:13, Matthew 15:7-9, Acts 28:25

hypocrites: Matthew 23:13-15, Luke 11:39-44

honoureth: Ezekiel 33:31, Hosea 8:2, Hosea 8:3, John 5:42, John 8:41, John 8:42, John 8:54, John 8:55, John 15:24, 2 Timothy 3:5, Titus 1:16, James 2:14-17

Reciprocal: Proverbs 19:27 - General Jeremiah 12:2 - near Matthew 6:2 - as Matthew 15:3 - Why

Verse 7

in vain: 1 Samuel 12:21, Malachi 3:14, Matthew 6:7, Matthew 15:9, 1 Corinthians 15:14, 1 Corinthians 15:58, Titus 3:9, James 1:26, James 2:20

the commandments: Deuteronomy 12:32, Colossians 2:22, 1 Timothy 4:1-3, Revelation 14:11, Revelation 14:12, Revelation 22:18

Reciprocal: Isaiah 8:20 - it is Isaiah 24:5 - changed Mark 7:3 - the tradition Luke 5:39 - General Acts 5:29 - We Titus 1:14 - commandments

Verse 8

laying: Isaiah 1:12

the tradition: Mark 7:3, Mark 7:4

Reciprocal: Ecclesiastes 7:29 - they Malachi 2:9 - but John 3:25 - about Romans 7:9 - without Hebrews 6:2 - the doctrine

Verse 9

Full: 2 Kings 16:10-16, Isaiah 24:5, Isaiah 29:13, Jeremiah 44:16, Jeremiah 44:17, Daniel 7:25, Daniel 11:36, Matthew 15:3-6, 2 Thessalonians 2:4

reject: or, frustrate, Mark 7:13, Psalms 119:126, Romans 3:31, Galatians 2:21

Reciprocal: Genesis 45:11 - General 1 Kings 18:27 - Elijah Ecclesiastes 7:29 - they Habakkuk 1:4 - the law Mark 14:41 - Sleep Ephesians 6:2 - General James 2:19 - thou doest

Verse 10

Honour: Mark 10:19, Exodus 20:12, Deuteronomy 5:16

Whoso: Exodus 21:17, Leviticus 20:9, Deuteronomy 27:16, Proverbs 20:20, Proverbs 30:17, Matthew 15:4

Reciprocal: Genesis 47:12 - his father Leviticus 18:24 - Defile Numbers 30:5 - General 2 Samuel 18:9 - taken up Proverbs 23:22 - Hearken Proverbs 30:11 - that curseth Ezekiel 22:7 - set Malachi 1:6 - son Matthew 15:5 - ye say Matthew 23:16 - it is

Verse 11

It is Corban: Rather, "Let it be a corban" a formula common among the Jews on such occasions; by which the Pharisees released a child from supporting his parents; and even deemed it sacrilege if he afterwards gave anything for their use. Matthew 15:5, Matthew 23:18, 1 Timothy 5:4-8

Reciprocal: Exodus 21:17 - curseth Luke 21:1 - and saw 2 Timothy 3:2 - disobedient

Verse 12

Reciprocal: Matthew 15:5 - It is 2 Timothy 3:2 - disobedient

Verse 13

the word: Mark 7:9, Isaiah 8:20, Jeremiah 8:8, Jeremiah 8:9, Hosea 8:12, Matthew 5:17-20, Matthew 15:6, Titus 1:14

such: Ezekiel 18:14, Galatians 5:21

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 12:33 - in the month Malachi 2:9 - before Matthew 15:3 - Why Mark 7:3 - the tradition

Verse 14

when: 1 Kings 18:21, 1 Kings 22:28, Psalms 49:1, Psalms 49:2, Psalms 94:8, Matthew 15:10, Luke 12:1, Luke 12:54-57, Luke 20:45-47

and understand: Proverbs 8:5, Isaiah 6:9, Acts 8:30

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 9:3 - Understand 2 Chronicles 18:27 - Hearken Isaiah 55:2 - Hearken Jeremiah 25:2 - General Micah 1:2 - hearken Malachi 2:9 - before Matthew 13:9 - General Matthew 23:1 - General Mark 4:3 - Hearken Mark 4:9 - General Mark 8:34 - called 1 Thessalonians 5:21 - Prove James 2:5 - Hearken

Verse 15

There: Though it is very true, says Dr. Doddridge, that a man may bring guilt upon himself by eating to excess, and a Jew, by eating what was forbidden by the Mosaic law; yet still the pollution would arise from the wickedness of the heart, and be just proportionable to it, which is all our Lord asserts.

nothing: Mark 7:18-20, Leviticus 11:42-47, Acts 10:14-16, Acts 10:28, Acts 11:8-10, Acts 15:20, Acts 15:21, Romans 14:17, 1 Corinthians 10:25, 1 Timothy 4:3-5, Titus 1:15, Hebrews 9:10, Hebrews 13:9

but: Mark 7:20-23, Proverbs 4:23, Matthew 12:34, Matthew 15:16

Reciprocal: Leviticus 11:2 - General Leviticus 11:8 - they are unclean Matthew 15:11 - that which goeth Mark 7:23 - defile James 3:6 - a world

Verse 16

Mark 4:9, Mark 4:23, Matthew 11:15, Revelation 2:7, Revelation 2:11, Revelation 2:17, Revelation 2:29, Revelation 3:6, Revelation 3:13, Revelation 3:22

Reciprocal: Matthew 15:10 - he Mark 4:3 - Hearken

Verse 17

Mark 4:10, Mark 4:34, Matthew 13:10, Matthew 13:36, Matthew 15:15

Reciprocal: Mark 4:13 - Know Luke 8:9 - What

Verse 18

Mark 4:13, Isaiah 28:9, Isaiah 28:10, Jeremiah 5:4, Jeremiah 5:5, Matthew 15:16, Matthew 15:17, Matthew 16:11, Luke 24:25, John 3:10, 1 Corinthians 3:2, Hebrews 5:11

Reciprocal: Leviticus 11:8 - they are unclean Matthew 13:51 - Have Matthew 16:9 - ye not Mark 6:52 - they Mark 7:15 - nothing Mark 7:23 - defile Mark 9:32 - were Mark 16:14 - and upbraided Luke 8:9 - What Colossians 2:22 - to

Verse 19

Matthew 15:17, 1 Corinthians 6:13, Colossians 2:21, Colossians 2:22

Verse 20

Mark 7:15, Psalms 41:6, Hebrews 7:6, Micah 2:1, Matthew 12:34-37, James 1:14, James 1:15, James 3:6, James 4:1

Reciprocal: Leviticus 15:2 - when any man Leviticus 15:25 - General Job 4:17 - shall a man

Verse 21

out: Genesis 6:5, Genesis 8:21, Job 14:4, Job 15:14-16, Job 25:4, Psalms 14:1, Psalms 14:3, Psalms 53:1, Psalms 53:3, Psalms 58:2, Psalms 58:3, Proverbs 4:23, Jeremiah 4:14, Jeremiah 17:9, Matthew 15:19, Matthew 23:25-28, Luke 16:15, Acts 5:4, Acts 8:22, Romans 7:5, Romans 7:8, Romans 8:7, Romans 8:8, Galatians 5:19-21, Titus 3:3, James 1:14, James 1:15, James 4:1-3, 1 Peter 4:2, 1 Peter 4:3

evil: Proverbs 15:25, Isaiah 59:7, Ezekiel 38:10, Matthew 9:4, James 2:4

Reciprocal: Numbers 19:22 - the soul Deuteronomy 15:9 - Beware Job 1:5 - in their hearts Job 15:5 - uttereth Job 15:12 - thine heart Psalms 5:9 - inward Psalms 10:4 - thoughts Psalms 119:36 - and not to Psalms 119:113 - hate Proverbs 12:20 - Deceit Proverbs 21:10 - soul Proverbs 27:19 - so Proverbs 28:26 - that Ecclesiastes 9:3 - also Isaiah 55:7 - his thoughts Isaiah 59:13 - speaking Jeremiah 16:12 - evil Jeremiah 18:12 - we will walk Jeremiah 22:17 - thine eyes Ezekiel 11:21 - whose Zechariah 7:10 - imagine Matthew 3:9 - think Matthew 9:3 - certain Matthew 23:28 - but Matthew 24:48 - say Mark 2:8 - Why Luke 7:39 - he spake Romans 3:10 - none Romans 7:18 - that in me 1 Corinthians 3:3 - and walk 1 Corinthians 5:11 - or covetous Ephesians 2:3 - by Ephesians 5:3 - fornication Colossians 3:5 - fornication 1 Timothy 1:10 - whoremongers Hebrews 3:12 - an Hebrews 12:16 - any fornicator

Verse 22

covetousness, wickedness: Gr. covetousnesses, wickednesses

an evil: Deuteronomy 15:9, Deuteronomy 28:54, Deuteronomy 28:56, 1 Samuel 18:8, 1 Samuel 18:9, Proverbs 23:6, Proverbs 28:22, Matthew 20:15

pride: 2 Chronicles 32:25, 2 Chronicles 32:26, 2 Chronicles 32:31, Psalms 10:4, Obadiah 1:3, Obadiah 1:4, 2 Corinthians 10:5, 1 Peter 5:5

foolishness: Proverbs 12:23, Proverbs 22:15, Proverbs 24:9, Proverbs 27:22, Ecclesiastes 7:25, 1 Peter 2:15

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 24:10 - foolishly Job 15:5 - uttereth Job 15:12 - thine heart Psalms 5:9 - inward Psalms 119:36 - and not to Proverbs 12:20 - Deceit Proverbs 21:10 - soul Proverbs 22:9 - He that hath a bountiful eye Isaiah 59:7 - their thoughts Isaiah 59:13 - speaking Jeremiah 17:9 - General Jeremiah 18:12 - we will walk Jeremiah 22:17 - thine eyes Matthew 6:23 - thine Luke 11:34 - but Luke 12:15 - Take Romans 3:10 - none 1 Corinthians 3:3 - and walk Ephesians 2:3 - by Ephesians 5:3 - covetousness Ephesians 5:4 - filthiness Colossians 3:5 - fornication Colossians 3:8 - blasphemy 1 Timothy 1:10 - whoremongers Hebrews 13:5 - conversation James 1:14 - when 1 Peter 4:3 - lasciviousness

Verse 23

defile: Mark 7:15, Mark 7:18, 1 Corinthians 3:17, Titus 1:15, Jude 1:8

Reciprocal: Isaiah 55:7 - his thoughts

Verse 24

from: Matthew 15:21-28

Tyre: Mark 3:8, Genesis 10:15, Genesis 10:19, Genesis 49:13, Joshua 19:28, Joshua 19:29, Isaiah 23:1-4, Isaiah 23:12, Ezekiel 28:2, Ezekiel 28:21, Ezekiel 28:22

and would: Mark 2:1, Mark 3:7, Mark 6:31, Mark 6:32, Isaiah 42:2, Matthew 9:28, 1 Timothy 5:25

Reciprocal: Mark 7:31 - from Luke 6:17 - the sea

Verse 25

a: Matthew 15:22

whose: Mark 9:17-23

at: Mark 1:40, Mark 5:22, Mark 5:23, Mark 5:33, Luke 17:16, Acts 10:25, Acts 10:26, Revelation 22:8, Revelation 22:9

Reciprocal: Mark 1:23 - a man Revelation 19:10 - I fell

Verse 26

Greek: or, Gentile, Isaiah 49:12, Galatians 3:28, Colossians 3:11

a Syrophenician: Matthew 15:22

Reciprocal: Mark 9:17 - I Mark 10:48 - but Luke 4:25 - many John 12:20 - Greeks Acts 14:1 - Greeks Galatians 2:15 - sinners

Verse 27

Let: Matthew 7:6, Matthew 10:5, Matthew 15:23-28, Acts 22:21, Romans 15:8, Ephesians 2:12

Reciprocal: Matthew 15:26 - It is not Luke 15:31 - General John 4:43 - two

Verse 28

yet: Psalms 145:16, Isaiah 45:22, Isaiah 49:6, Matthew 5:45, Luke 7:6-8, Luke 15:30-32, Acts 11:17, Acts 11:18, Romans 3:29, Romans 10:12, Romans 15:8, Romans 15:9, Ephesians 2:12-14, Ephesians 3:8

Reciprocal: Matthew 15:26 - It is not Luke 15:31 - General Luke 16:21 - crumbs John 4:43 - two

Verse 29

Isaiah 57:15, Isaiah 57:16, Isaiah 66:2, Matthew 5:3, Matthew 8:9-13, 1 John 3:8

Reciprocal: Ecclesiastes 9:7 - Go Matthew 8:13 - Go Matthew 15:28 - be it John 4:50 - Go Acts 10:38 - healing

Verse 30

she was: John 4:50-52

she found: 1 John 3:8

Reciprocal: Matthew 15:28 - be it Mark 1:39 - and cast Acts 10:38 - healing

Verse 31

from: Mark 7:24, Matthew 15:29-31

Decapolis: Mark 5:20, Matthew 4:25

Reciprocal: Mark 3:8 - Tyre

Verse 32

Matthew 9:32, Matthew 9:33, Luke 11:14

Reciprocal: Isaiah 35:5 - the ears Isaiah 35:6 - the tongue Luke 1:64 - his mouth Luke 7:22 - the deaf Acts 28:8 - laid

Verse 33

he took: Mark 5:40, Mark 8:23, 1 Kings 17:19-22, 2 Kings 4:4-6, 2 Kings 4:33, 2 Kings 4:34, John 9:6, John 9:7

put: This was clearly a symbolical action; for these remedies evidently could not, by their natural efficacy, avail to produce so wonderful an effect. As the ears of the deaf appear closed, he applies his fingers to intimate that he would open them; and as the tongue of the dumb seems to be tied, or to cleave to the palate, he touches it, to intimate he would give loose and free motion to it. He accommodated himself to the weakness of those who might not indeed doubt his power, but fancy some external sign was requisite to healing. It was also thus made manifest, that this salutiferous power came from Himself, and that He who by one word, וצצבטב [Strong's G2188], had healed the man, must be Divine.

Reciprocal: Exodus 29:20 - put it upon the tip 2 Kings 6:6 - he cut down Isaiah 38:21 - For Isaiah Matthew 20:34 - touched

Verse 34

looking: Mark 6:41, John 11:41, John 17:1

he sighed: Mark 8:12, Isaiah 53:3, Ezekiel 21:6, Ezekiel 21:7, Luke 19:41, John 11:33, John 11:35, John 11:38, Hebrews 4:15

Ephphatha: Mark 5:41, Mark 15:34

Be opened: Mark 1:41, Luke 7:14, Luke 18:42, John 11:43, Acts 9:34, Acts 9:40

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 6:6 - he cut down Psalms 51:15 - open Isaiah 42:18 - ye deaf Matthew 8:3 - I will Matthew 14:19 - looking Luke 9:16 - and looking

Verse 35

Mark 2:12, Psalms 33:9, Isaiah 32:3, Isaiah 32:4, Isaiah 35:5, Isaiah 35:6, Matthew 11:5

Reciprocal: Matthew 12:22 - he healed

Verse 36

Mark 1:44, Mark 1:45, Mark 3:12, Mark 5:43, Mark 8:26

Reciprocal: Matthew 8:4 - See Matthew 9:31 - spread Matthew 12:16 - General Mark 1:43 - General Mark 8:30 - General

Verse 37

were: Mark 1:27, Mark 2:12, Mark 4:41, Mark 5:42, Mark 6:51, Psalms 139:14, Acts 2:7-12, Acts 3:10-13, Acts 14:11

He hath: Genesis 1:31, Luke 23:41

he maketh: Exodus 4:10, Exodus 4:11

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 3:36 - as Ecclesiastes 3:11 - hath made Isaiah 29:18 - the deaf Isaiah 32:3 - General Isaiah 52:14 - many Matthew 8:27 - General Matthew 9:8 - when Matthew 11:5 - the deaf Matthew 15:31 - the dumb Mark 10:26 - out Luke 4:36 - They were