Mark Chapter 7

Commentary

Tradition and Vain Worship

(Matthew 15:1-9)

1Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem. 2And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault. 3For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. 4And 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. 5Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?

6He 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.

7Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

8For 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.

9And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. 10For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death: 11But 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. 12And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother; 13Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

What Defiles a Man

(Matthew 15:10-20)

14And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand: 15There 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. 16If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.

17And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable. 18And 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; 19Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats? 20And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. 21For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 23All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

The Faith of the Syrophoenician Woman

(Matthew 15:21-28)

24And 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. 25For a certain woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of him, and came and fell at his feet: 26The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter. 27But 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. 28And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs. 29And he said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter. 30And when she was come to her house, she found the devil gone out, and her daughter laid upon the bed.

Jesus Heals a Deaf and Mute Man

(Isaiah 35:1-10; Matthew 9:32-34)

31And again, departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, he came unto the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis. 32And 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. 33And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue; 34And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened. 35And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain. 36And 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; 37And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.

 

King James Bible

Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

The Tradition of the Elders
(Matthew 15:1–9)

1 Then the Pharisees, and some of the scribes gathered together to him, having come from Jerusalem. 2 Now when they saw some of his disciples eating bread with defiled, that is, unwashed, hands, they found fault. 3 (For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, don’t eat unless they wash their hands and forearms, holding to the tradition of the elders. 4 They don’t eat when they come from the marketplace, unless they bathe themselves, and there are many other things, which they have received to hold to: washings of cups, pitchers, bronze vessels, and couches.) 5 The Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why don’t your disciples walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with unwashed hands?”

6 He answered them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.

7 But in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’

8 “For you set aside the commandment of God, and hold tightly to the tradition of men—the washing of pitchers and cups, and you do many other such things.”

9 He said to them, “Full well do you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition. 10 For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother;’ and, ‘He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him be put to death.’ 11 But you say, ‘If a man tells his father or his mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban, that is to say, given to God;”’ 12 then you no longer allow him to do anything for his father or his mother, 13 making void the word of God by your tradition, which you have handed down. You do many things like this.”

What Defiles a Man
(Matthew 15:10–20)

14 He called all the multitude to himself, and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand. 15 There is nothing from outside of the man, that going into him can defile him; but the things which proceed out of the man are those that defile the man. 16 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!”

17 When he had entered into a house away from the multitude, his disciples asked him about the parable. 18 He said to them, “Are you thus without understanding also? Don’t you perceive that whatever goes into the man from outside can’t defile him, 19 because it doesn’t go into his heart, but into his stomach, then into the latrine, thus purifying all foods?” 20 He said, “That which proceeds out of the man, that defiles the man. 21 For from within, out of the hearts of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, sexual sins, murders, thefts, 22 covetings, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, and foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.”

The Faith of the Gentile Woman
(Matthew 15:21–28)

24 From there he arose, and went away into the borders of Tyre and Sidon. He entered into a house, and didn’t want anyone to know it, but he couldn’t escape notice. 25 For a woman, whose little daughter had an unclean spirit, having heard of him, came and fell down at his feet. 26 Now the woman was a Greek, a Syrophoenician by race. She begged him that he would cast the demon out of her daughter. 27 But Jesus said to her, “Let the children be filled first, for it is not appropriate to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” 28 But she answered him, “Yes, Lord. Yet even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” 29 He said to her, “For this saying, go your way. The demon has gone out of your daughter.” 30 She went away to her house, and found the child having been laid on the bed, with the demon gone out.

The Deaf and Mute Man
(Matthew 9:27–34)

31 Again he departed from the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and came to the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the region of Decapolis. 32 They brought to him one who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech. They begged him to lay his hand on him. 33 He took him aside from the multitude, privately, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat, and touched his tongue. 34 Looking up to heaven, he sighed, and said to him, “Ephphatha!” that is, “Be opened!” 35 Immediately his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was released, and he spoke clearly. 36 He commanded them that they should tell no one, but the more he commanded them, so much the more widely they proclaimed it. 37 They were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He makes even the deaf hear, and the mute speak!”

The Tradition of the Elders
(Matthew 15:1–9)

1 Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus, 2 and they saw some of His disciples eating with hands that were defiled—that is, unwashed.

3 Now in holding to the tradition of the elders, the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat until they wash their hands ceremonially. a 4 And on returning from the market, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other traditions for them to observe, including the washing of cups, pitchers, kettles, and couches for dining. b

5 So the Pharisees and scribes questioned Jesus: “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders? Instead, they eat with defiled hands.”

6 Jesus answered them, “Isaiah prophesied correctly about you hypocrites, as it is written:

‘These people honor Me with their lips,

but their hearts are far from Me.

7 They worship Me in vain;

they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’ c

8 You have disregarded the commandment of God to keep the tradition of men. d”

9 He went on to say, “You neatly set aside the command of God to maintain e your own tradition. 10 For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’ f and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’ g 11 But you say that if a man says to his father or mother, ‘Whatever you would have received from me is Corban’ (that is, a gift devoted to God), 12 he is no longer permitted to do anything for his father or mother. 13 Thus you nullify the word of God by the tradition you have handed down. And you do so in many such matters.”

What Defiles a Man
(Matthew 15:10–20)

14 Once again Jesus called the crowd to Him and said, “All of you, listen to Me and understand: 15 Nothing that enters a man from the outside can defile him; but the things that come out of a man, these are what defile him.” h

17 After Jesus had left the crowd and gone into the house, His disciples inquired about the parable.

18 “Are you still so dull?” He asked. “Do you not understand? Nothing that enters a man from the outside can defile him, 19 because it does not enter his heart, but it goes into the stomach and then is eliminated.” (Thus all foods are clean.) i

20 He continued: “What comes out of a man, that is what defiles him. 21 For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, j 22 greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness. 23 All these evils come from within, and these are what defile a man.”

The Faith of the Gentile Woman
(Matthew 15:21–28)

24 Jesus left that place and went to the region of Tyre. k Not wanting anyone to know He was there, He entered a house, but was unable to escape their notice. 25 Instead, a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit soon heard about Jesus, and she came and fell at His feet. 26 Now she was a Greek woman of Syrophoenician origin, and she kept asking Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter.

27 “First let the children have their fill,” He said. “For it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”

28 “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “even the dogs l under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”

29 Then Jesus told her, “Because of this answer, you may go. The demon has left your daughter.” 30 And she went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon was gone.

The Deaf and Mute Man
(Matthew 9:27–34)

31 Then Jesus left the region of Tyre and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis. m 32 Some people brought to Him a man who was deaf and hardly able to speak, and they begged Jesus to place His hand on him.

33 So Jesus took him aside privately, away from the crowd, and put His fingers into the man’s ears. Then He spit and touched the man’s tongue. 34 And looking up to heaven, He sighed deeply and said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means, “Be opened!”). 35 Immediately m the man’s ears were opened and his tongue was released, and he began to speak plainly.

36 Jesus ordered them not to tell anyone. But the more He ordered them, the more widely they proclaimed it. 37 The people were utterly astonished and said, “He has done all things well! He makes even the deaf hear and the mute speak!”

Tradition and Vain Worship

(Matthew 15:1-9)

1And gathered together unto him are the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, having come from Jerusalem, 2and having seen certain of his disciples with defiled hands -- that is, unwashed -- eating bread, they found fault; 3for the Pharisees, and all the Jews, if they do not wash the hands to the wrist, do not eat, holding the tradition of the elders, 4and, coming from the market-place, if they do not baptize themselves, they do not eat; and many other things there are that they received to hold, baptisms of cups, and pots, and brazen vessels, and couches. 5Then question him do the Pharisees and the scribes, 'Wherefore do thy disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but with unwashed hands do eat the bread?'

6and he answering said to them -- 'Well did Isaiah prophesy concerning you, hypocrites, as it hath been written, This people with the lips doth honour Me, and their heart is far from Me;

7and in vain do they worship Me, teaching teachings, commands of men;

8for, having put away the command of God, ye hold the tradition of men, baptisms of pots and cups; and many other such like things ye do.'

9And he said to them, 'Well do ye put away the command of God that your tradition ye may keep; 10for Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, He who is speaking evil of father or mother -- let him die the death; 11and ye say, If a man may say to father or to mother, Korban (that is, a gift), is whatever thou mayest be profited out of mine, 12and no more do ye suffer him to do anything for his father or for his mother, 13setting aside the word of God for your tradition that ye delivered; and many such like things ye do.'

What Defiles a Man

(Matthew 15:10-20)

14And having called near all the multitude, he said to them, 'Hearken to me, ye all, and understand; 15there is nothing from without the man entering into him that is able to defile him, but the things coming out from him, those are the things defiling the man. 16If any hath ears to hear -- let him hear.'

17And when he entered into a house from the multitude, his disciples were questioning him about the simile, 18and he saith to them, 'So also ye are without understanding! Do ye not perceive that nothing from without entering into the man is able to defile him? 19because it doth not enter into his heart, but into the belly, and into the drain it doth go out, purifying all the meats.' 20And he said -- 'That which is coming out from the man, that doth defile the man; 21for from within, out of the heart of men, the evil reasonings do come forth, adulteries, whoredoms, murders, 22thefts, covetous desires, wickedness, deceit, arrogance, an evil eye, evil speaking, pride, foolishness; 23all these evils do come forth from within, and they defile the man.'

The Faith of the Syrophoenician Woman

(Matthew 15:21-28)

24And from thence having risen, he went away to the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and having entered into the house, he wished none to know, and he was not able to be hid, 25for a woman having heard about him, whose little daughter had an unclean spirit, having come, fell at his feet, -- 26and the woman was a Greek, a Syro-Phenician by nation -- and was asking him, that the demon he may cast forth out of her daughter. 27And Jesus said to her, 'Suffer first the children to be filled, for it is not good to take the children's bread, and to cast it to the little dogs.' 28And she answered and saith to him, 'Yes, sir; for the little dogs also under the table do eat of the children's crumbs.' 29And he said to her, 'Because of this word go; the demon hath gone forth out of thy daughter;' 30and having come away to her house, she found the demon gone forth, and the daughter laid upon the couch.

Jesus Heals a Deaf and Mute Man

(Isaiah 35:1-10; Matthew 9:32-34)

31And again, having gone forth from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, he came unto the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis, 32and they bring to him a deaf, stuttering man, and they call on him that he may put the hand on him. 33And having taken him away from the multitude by himself, he put his fingers to his ears, and having spit, he touched his tongue, 34and having looked to the heaven, he sighed, and saith to him, 'Ephphatha,' that is, 'Be thou opened;' 35and immediately were his ears opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he was speaking plain. 36And he charged them that they may tell no one, but the more he was charging them, the more abundantly they were proclaiming it, 37and they were being beyond measure astonished, saying, 'Well hath he done all things; both the deaf he doth make to hear, and the dumb to speak.'

Jesus Confronts Religious Traditions

¹ Now the Pharisees and some religious scholars who had traveled from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus, their critical eyes scanning His every move and those of His followers. ² They watched with growing disapproval as some of His disciples ate their meals with 'impure hands' by not performing the traditional hand-washing ritual.

³ These religious leaders, like all Jewish people, meticulously followed their ancestors' traditions by refusing to eat without first washing their hands in a precise ceremonial way. ⁴ Also when they return from the marketplace, they wouldn't eat without first 'sprinkling' themselves. They preserved countless other traditions with equal fervor: the precise washing of cups, pitchers, kettles, and even their dining couches.

⁵ So these Pharisees and religious scholars confronted Jesus, their voices sharp with accusation: "Why do Your disciples ignore our sacred traditions? How dare they eat with ceremonially unclean hands?" ⁶ Jesus met their challenge head-on: "Isaiah perfectly described you pretenders when he prophesied,

'These people make a show of honoring Me with their words,
But their hearts remain far from My presence.
⁷ Their worship is nothing but empty performance, 
Teaching human rules as if they were My divine commands.'

⁸ You've become experts at sidestepping God's actual commandments while clinging to your human traditions like precious heirlooms." ⁹ He continued, His words cutting through their religious facade: "You've developed quite a clever system for dodging God's law while establishing your own rules. ¹⁰ Consider this: Moses delivered God's clear command, 'Honor your father and mother,' and warned, 'Anyone who speaks disrespectfully of their parents must face death.'

¹¹ But you've created a loophole: A person can simply declare their money or resources as 'Corban' – dedicated to God – making these resources unavailable to help their aging parents. ¹² Through this manipulation, you absolve people of their God-given responsibility to care for their parents, ¹³ nullifying God's Word through your traditions. And this is just one example of many similar things you do."

What Contaminates a Person

¹⁴ Jesus then called the crowd closer, His voice filled with urgent truth: "Listen carefully, all of you, and let this sink deep into your hearts: ¹⁵ Nothing entering a person from the outside can make them spiritually unclean. It's what flows out from within – from the heart – that truly contaminates. ¹⁶ If you have ears that truly hear, then understand this essential truth!"

¹⁷ Later, when Jesus had left the crowd and entered a house, His disciples approached Him privately, struggling to grasp this 'controversial' parable. ¹⁸ He responded with patient intensity: "Are you still struggling to comprehend? Can't you see that nothing entering a person's body from the outside can make them spiritually unclean? ¹⁹ Physical food doesn't enter the heart – it passes through the digestive system and is eliminated." With these words, Jesus revolutionized religious thinking, declaring all foods ceremonially clean.

²⁰ He continued, "What truly corrupts a person comes from within – from the heart's hidden depths. ²¹ For it's from inside, from the human heart, that all manner of destructive and evil impulses emerge: sexual immorality, theft, murder, ²² adultery, greed, malicious behavior, deception, sensual indulgence, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolish pride. ²³ All these evils spring up from within, and contaminate a person."

The Faith of a Syrophoenician Woman

²⁴ Jesus then traveled to the region of Tyre, seeking a moment of privacy in someone's home. But His reputation had preceded Him, and He couldn't remain hidden. ²⁵ A woman whose young daughter was tormented by an evil spirit heard about Jesus' presence. Without hesitation, she rushed to find Him and fell at His feet in desperate hope. ²⁶ This woman was a Gentile, born in Syrian Phoenicia – separated from Jewish heritage by both birth and culture. Yet she begged Jesus to drive out the demon from her daughter.

²⁷ Jesus responded with a metaphor that reflected the cultural divide: "Let the children eat first until satisfied. It isn't right to take the children's bread and toss it to the puppies." ²⁸ But the woman's faith shone through her humble reply: "Yes, Lord, but even the puppies under the table are allowed to eat the children's crumbs that fall." ²⁹ Moved by her faith, Jesus responded: "Because of that answer, go home in peace. The demon has left your daughter." ³⁰ She hurried home, her heart pounding, and found her child peacefully lying on her bed, completely free from the demon's clutch.

Jesus Heals a Deaf and Mute Man

³¹ Leaving the region of Tyre, Jesus traveled through Sidon and the region of the Ten Cities, making His way back to the Sea of Galilee, His ministry touching lives across cultural boundaries. ³² Some people brought Him a man who was deaf and could barely speak, pleading with Jesus to lay His healing hands on him.

³³ Jesus led the man away from the crowd to a private place, and put His fingers into the man's ears and after spitting, He touched the man's tongue with His own saliva. ³⁴ Looking up to heaven with a deep sigh, He spoke in Aramaic: "Ephphatha!" meaning "Be opened!" ³⁵ Instantly, the man's ears were unblocked, his tongue was freed, and he began speaking clearly.

³⁶ Jesus instructed the witnesses not to talk about this, but His command only fueled their excitement. The more He asked for silence, the more enthusiastically they shared the miracle. ³⁷ The people were overcome with awe and amazement, declaring, "Everything He does is so good! He even gives hearing to the deaf and speech to those who cannot speak!"

Footnotes:

Verse 3 (a) Literally until they have washed their hands to the fist
Verse 4 (b) NE and WH cups, pitchers, and kettles.
Verse 7 (c) Isaiah 29:13 (see also LXX)
Verse 8 (d) BYZ and TR include —washings of pots and cups and many such things like these.
Verse 9 (e) NA establish
Verse 10 (f) Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16
Verse 10 (g) Exodus 21:17; Leviticus 20:9
Verse 15 (h) BYZ and TR include 16If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.
Verse 19 (i) Or and then is eliminated, thereby expelling all foods.”
Verse 21 (j) Many texts move adultery  to verse 22.
Verse 24 (k) WH, BYZ, and TR include and Sidon ; see Matthew 15:21.
Verse 28 (l) Or puppies
Verse 31 (m) That is, the Ten Cities
Verse 35 (n) ECM, WH, and SBL do not include Immediately .

The F.O.G Commentary:

1What is the Meaning of Mark 7?
2Context of Mark 7
3Ancient Key Word Study
4Mark 7 Unique Insights
5Question the Text:
6Mark 7 Connections to Yeshua
7Mark 7 Scriptural Echoes
8Mark 7 Devotional
9Did You Know

What is the Meaning of Mark 7?

Have you ever felt like religious rules get in the way of truly knowing God? That’s exactly what happens in Mark 7. In this eye-opening chapter, Yeshua (Jesus) confronts the religious leaders who were obsessed with outward rituals but blind to the real issue—what’s in the heart. He flips their understanding of purity upside down, showing that holiness isn’t about traditions but about transformation.

But this chapter isn’t just about an ancient debate—it has everything to do with your faith today. As Yeshua redefines what truly contaminates a person, He also opens the door for the nations to be part of God’s kingdom. And to prove His authority, He performs two breathtaking miracles, demonstrating that His power and compassion know no boundaries.

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Let’s dive into Mark 7 and discover how its message still speaks to us today.

Context of Mark 7

Within Mark’s Gospel, chapter 7 follows immediately after the feeding of the five thousand and Yeshua walking on water, demonstrating His divine authority over creation. This positioning is significant as it sets up the contrast between His authentic power and the human-made traditions that the religious leaders prioritized over God’s commandments.

The larger context of this chapter reflects a growing tension between Yeshua and the religious authorities, particularly regarding their interpretation and application of the Torah (the Law). This conflict reaches a crucial point here as He directly challenges their understanding of purity laws and tradition. The chapter’s latter portion, featuring healings of Gentiles, fits into Mark’s broader theme of the gospel extending beyond Jewish boundaries, preparing readers for the eventual global spread of the message of salvation.

More broadly, this chapter connects to the Old Testament prophetic tradition, particularly Isaiah 29:13, which Yeshua quotes to critique empty ritualism. It echoes the prophets’ consistent call for authentic heart transformation over mere external compliance with religious customs.

Ancient Key Word Study

  • παράδοσις (paradosis) – “tradition” (v.3,5,8,9,13): This term literally means “that which is handed down” and was used to describe the oral interpretations of Torah that were passed down through generations. In rabbinical Judaism, these traditions were considered equally binding as written Torah, making Yeshua’s critique particularly confrontational.
  • κοινός (koinos) – “common/unclean” (v.2,5): Unlike the typical word for ceremonially unclean (ἀκάθαρτος), this term specifically refers to that which is ordinary or profane, as opposed to that which is consecrated. Its usage here emphasizes the man-made nature of these purity regulations.
  • κορβᾶν (korban) – “Corban” (v.11): A Hebrew loan-word (קָרְבָּן) meaning “offering” or “that which is brought near.” This technical term referred to something dedicated to God, often used as a legal loophole to avoid familial obligations.
  • καρδία (kardia) – “heart” (v.6,19,21): In biblical usage, this refers not merely to emotions but to the center of human consciousness, including will, thoughts, and decisions. It represents the true source of moral purity or impurity.
  • ἀκυρόω (akuroō) – “invalidate” (v.13): This strong term, literally meaning “to make void,” was used in legal contexts for nullifying contracts or laws. Yeshua employs it to show how human traditions were effectively canceling God’s commands.
  • ἐφφαθά (ephphatha) – “be opened” (v.34): An Aramaic word preserved in Greek text, suggesting the authenticity of the account and possibly indicating the dramatic impact this command had on early witnesses.
  • καλῶς (kalōs) – “well/rightly” (v.6,9,37): Used ironically in Yeshua’s rebuke of the Pharisees but genuinely in describing His healing work, creating a deliberate contrast between human and divine activity.

Mark 7 Unique Insights

The chapter contains several layers of meaning that would have resonated deeply with its original audience. The discussion of hand-washing goes beyond mere hygiene – it touched on fundamental questions of Jewish identity and boundary markers. The Mishnah later codified these washing rituals in tractate Yadayim, suggesting their continued importance in Jewish practice.

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The concept of “Corban” reveals a sophisticated legal system that had developed around Torah observance. The Jerusalem Talmud (Nedarim 9:1) actually discusses similar cases where vows were used to circumvent other obligations, indicating this was a recognized issue in Jewish law. Yeshua’s criticism here aligns with internal Jewish debates about the proper use of vows.

The healing accounts in the chapter’s latter half contain significant symbolic elements. The healing of the deaf-mute man, in particular, uses imagery reminiscent of creation (spitting and touching) and prophetic acts (looking to heaven, sighing). Early church fathers like Ambrose saw this as a picture of spiritual healing – the opening of spiritual ears and loosening of tongues to praise God.

The geographical movement in the chapter – from Jewish territory to Gentile regions – foreshadows the gospel’s movement as recorded in Acts. This subtle narrative element supports Mark’s larger theme of universal access to God’s kingdom through the Messiah.

And finally let’s talk about the ‘dogs’ comment, in verse 27 Jesus’ reference to “children” and “dogs or puppies” uses a metaphor. The children symbolize Israel, the chosen people, while the dogs refer to Gentiles or other nations. The children of Israel at this stage (before the Cross) had more access to God’s banquet table than the puppies underneath the table. The woman’s humble response shows her remarkable faith in God’s mercy and power, where even a crumb from God’s table would heal her daughter.

Question the Text:

As you read Mark 7, take a moment to question the text. What stands out as puzzling or unexpected? Where do the characters act in surprising ways? What cultural or theological assumptions are being challenged? Instead of rushing to find definitive answers, let these questions guide you into deeper reflection about human nature, divine interaction, and the unspoken details within the passage.

  • Why do the Pharisees and some scribes travel from Yerushalayim to challenge Yeshua? What does this suggest about their concerns and influence? Mark 7:1
  • The Pharisees criticize the disciples for eating with unwashed hands. Was this about hygiene, or was there a deeper religious significance? Mark 7:2-3
  • Yeshua calls the Pharisees hypocrites and applies a prophecy from Yeshayahu (Isaiah) to them. Why is this particular rebuke so severe? Mark 7:6-7
  • Yeshua accuses them of setting aside יהוה (Yahweh)’s commandment to uphold human traditions. How might this challenge religious practices today? Mark 7:8-9
  • The tradition of “Corban” allowed people to dedicate wealth to God rather than use it to support parents. How did this practice conflict with the Torah’s command to honor one’s father and mother? Mark 7:10-13
  • Yeshua declares that nothing outside a person can defile them, but only what comes from within. How radical was this statement in a culture that emphasized ritual purity? Mark 7:15
  • The disciples ask Yeshua about the parable, but He responds as if they should already understand. Why does He expect them to grasp this teaching so easily? Mark 7:17-18
  • Yeshua lists sins that come from within the heart. Why does He group these specific sins together, and what does this reveal about human nature? Mark 7:21-23
  • A Gentile woman from Tyre begs Yeshua to heal her daughter. Why does Yeshua initially refuse, comparing her to a little dog or puppy? Mark 7:26-27
  • The woman responds with remarkable faith and wit. Why does Yeshua grant her request after His initial ‘rejection’? Mark 7:28-29
  • Yeshua heals a deaf and mute man using physical actions—putting His fingers in the man’s ears, spitting on His fingers and then touching his tongue. Why does He perform this miracle in such an intimate, tactile and even ‘offensive’ way? Mark 7:33-34
  • After the healing, Yeshua commands people not to tell anyone, yet they proclaim it all the more. Why does He often try to keep His miracles quiet? Mark 7:36

These questions invite you to wrestle with the text, seeing both its challenges and insights. As you reflect, how do these themes resonate with your own faith journey? Leave a comment with your thoughts and questions below.

Mark 7 Connections to Yeshua

This chapter powerfully demonstrates Yeshua’s role as the divine interpreter of Torah, showing His authority to cut through centuries of accumulated tradition to reveal God’s true intent. His teaching about what defiles a person anticipates His sacrificial work on the cross, which would provide true inner cleansing rather than mere external purification.

The healings recorded here, particularly of Gentiles, prefigure the breaking down of “the middle wall of partition” (Ephesians 2:14) through His death and resurrection. His willingness to enter Gentile territory and heal those considered unclean demonstrates the universal scope of His messianic mission, fulfilling prophecies like Isaiah 49:6 about being a “light to the nations.”

Mark 7 Scriptural Echoes

This chapter resonates with numerous Old Testament themes and passages. The criticism of empty ritual echoes 1 Samuel 15:22, “to obey is better than sacrifice,” and Hosea 6:6, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.”

The emphasis on heart transformation connects to Jeremiah 31:31-34 and Ezekiel 36:26-27, prophecies about a new covenant where God’s law would be written on hearts rather than tablets of stone.

The healing of the Gentile woman’s daughter and the deaf-mute man fulfill Isaiah’s prophecies about the messianic age, particularly Isaiah 35:5-6 regarding the healing of the deaf and mute.

Mark 7 Devotional

This chapter challenges us to examine our own religious practices and motivations. Are we, like the Pharisees, more concerned with maintaining traditions and appearances than with genuine heart transformation? Yeshua’s words remind us that true holiness begins inside and works its way out, not vice versa.

The Syrophoenician woman’s persistent faith, despite apparent rejection, encourages us to persevere in prayer and trust God’s larger purposes, even when His responses seem unclear or delayed. Her humility in accepting even “crumbs” from the master’s table exemplifies the attitude of dependence and trust that God honors.

The chapter’s emphasis on what truly defiles – thoughts and attitudes that spring from our hearts – calls us to regular self-examination and repentance. Rather than focusing on external conformity to religious rules, we’re challenged to seek genuine heart transformation through the Holy Spirit’s work.

Did You Know

  • The hand-washing ritual (netilat yadayim) described in verses 3-4 required a minimum of one “log” (about 10.8 fluid ounces) of water and had to be performed in a specific manner, pouring water twice over each hand.
  • The Greek word “tradition” (paradosis) appears more times in this single chapter than in any other chapter of the New Testament, highlighting the central importance of this conflict.
  • The region of Tyre and Sidon (modern-day Lebanon) had historical connections to Israel through King Hiram’s alliance with Solomon, making Yeshua’s ministry there particularly significant.
  • The description of the deaf man’s healing includes medical terminology unusual for that era, possibly reflecting Luke’s influence on Mark’s account.
  • The phrase “thus He declared all foods clean” (v.19) is considered one of the most significant theological statements in Mark’s gospel, representing a major shift in Jewish-Gentile relations.
  • The Syrophoenician woman’s dialogue with Yeshua contains wordplay in Greek that’s lost in translation – her clever response about “crumbs” uses a diminutive form of the word “bread.”
  • The chapter contains one of only three recorded instances where Yeshua ministered outside the boundaries of Israel (the others being the Gadarene demoniac and the Samaritan woman).
  • The spitting in the healing miracle was actually considered a common medical practice in the ancient world, mentioned in both Roman and Jewish sources.

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Jean Paul Joseph
Jean Paul Joseph

After a dramatic early morning encounter with King Jesus, I just couldn’t put my Bible down. The F.O.G took a hold of me and this website was born. What is the F.O.G?

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