Bible Commentaries
Mark 7

Verse 1

Coming from Jerusalem - Probably on purpose to find occasion against him. Matthew 15:1 .

Verse 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.

Washing of cups and pots and brazen vessels and couches — The Greek word (baptisms) means indifferently either washing or sprinkling. The cups, pots, and vessels were washed; the couches sprinkled.

Verse 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?

The tradition of the elders — The rule delivered down from your forefathers.

Verse 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.

Isaiah 29:13.

Verse 10

For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death:

Exodus 20:12; Exodus 21:17.

Verse 15

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.

There is nothing entering into a man from without which can defile him — Though it is very true, a man may bring guilt, which is moral defilement, upon himself by eating what hurts his health, or by excess either in meat or drink yet even here the pollution arises from the wickedness of the heart, and is just proportionable to it. And this is all that our Lord asserts.

Verse 19

Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?

Purging all meats — Probably the seat was usually placed over running water.

Verse 22

Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:

Wickedness — The word means ill natured, cruelty, inhumanity, and all malevolent affections.

Foolishness — Directly contrary to sobriety of thought and discourse: all kind of wild imaginations and extravagant passions.

Verse 24

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.

Matthew 15:21.

Verse 26

The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter.

The woman was a Greek (that is, a Gentile, not a Jew) a Syrophenician or Canaanite. Canaan was also called Syrophenicia, as lying between Syria, properly so called, and Phenicia.

Verse 31

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.

Matthew 15:29.

Verse 33

And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue;

He put his fingers into his ears — Perhaps intending to teach us, that we are not to prescribe to him (as they who brought this man attempted to do) but to expect his blessing by whatsoever means he pleases: even though there should be no proportion or resemblance between the means used, and the benefit to be conveyed thereby.

Verse 34

And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened.

Ephphatha — This was a word of SOVEREIGN AUTHORITY, not an address to God for power to heal: such an address was needless; for Christ had a perpetual fund of power residing in himself, to work all miracles whenever he pleased, even to the raising the dead, John 5:21; John 5:26.

Verse 36

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;

Them — The blind man and those that brought him.