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Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21^st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

THE GOSPEL OF MARK

CHAPTER SEVEN:
TRADITION AND DEFILED HEARTS, PUPPIES,
AND A DEAF MAN

[“Doing What Is Right”]
Key word: Tradition

Mark 7:1-8 – Vain Worship and Human Doctrines

|| Matthew 15:1-9 133

133	Matthew 15:1-9: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

MK7:1 Now the Pharisees approached Jesus along with certain Bible Copyists from Jerusalem. MK7:2 When they observed some of his disciples eating bread with defiled hands 134 – that is, without [ceremonially] washing them 135 – [[they found fault]]. 136

134	Defiled hands: It does not mean “dirty” hands but those that have not been ceremonially washed.

135	Washing them: Such a ceremonial ‘baptism’ was a rabbinical addition to the Law of Moses.[Luke 11:38] The Babylonian Talmud [Sotah 4b] placed such a violation equally with prostitution.

136	Not in some manuscripts.

MK7:3 For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat without [ceremonially] washing their hands, holding to traditions of ancient elders. MK7:4 When they return from the market they do not eat without [ceremonially] washing their hands. And there are many other things 137 that they have received by tradition – the [ceremonial] washing of cups, pots, copper bowls and tables.

137	Many other things: Beginning with about 200 Mosaic regulations, they swelled to 600, and then later 100,000.

MK7:5 So the Pharisees and Bible Copyists asked Jesus: “Why do your disciples not conduct themselves according to the traditions of the elders, but eat bread with defiled hands?” MK7:6 Jesus answered them and said: “Excellently has Isaiah prophesied about you hypocrites, exactly as it has been written: ‘This people [of Israel] honors me with their lips, but their heart is distant from me. MK7:7 Their worship of Me is completely worthless, 138 because they teach as doctrine human commands.’ 139 [Isaiah 29:13]

138	Their worship of Me is completely worthless: Or, in vain, empty show. The worship of God’s people is not automatically accepted as though there was nothing they could do wrong. Compare notes on James 1:27-29.

139	They teach as doctrine human commands: Or, precepts. Those who worship God by means of human doctrines do so in vain. [1 Timothy 4:1-3]

MK7:8 You set aside the commandment of the God and [instead] hold fast to human traditions.”

Mark 7:9-16 – Invalidating God’s Word

|| Matthew 15:1-9 140

140	Matthew 15:1-9: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

MK7:9 Continuing, Jesus said to them: “Skillfully you [Jews] set aside God’s commandments to keep your own tradition! MK7:10 For Moses said: ‘Honor 141 your father and mother.’ [Exodus 20:12] And, ‘Whoever speaks badly of 142 father or mother, let them be put to death.’ [Exodus 21:17]

141	Honor: Not just respect and obedience, but financial assistance as they grow older.

142	Whoever speaks badly of: Or, curses, speak evil of, reviles. There is serious danger in speaking abusively of one’s parents. [Compare 1 Timothy 5:8.]

MK7:11 But, all of you say, ‘If a person tells father or mother: “Whatever I possess which might benefit you is corban”’ 143 (that is, ‘a gift [dedicated to God]’)

143

Corban: Or, korban, qorban. Meaning an offering dedicated to God and thus exempt from parental support. Josephus mentions qorban: “Those who describe themselves as ‘Corban’ to God-meaning what Greeks would call ‘a gift’-when desirous to be relieved of this obligation must pay down to the priests a fixed sum.” [Jewish Antiquities, IV, 73 [iv, 4]] The word is used at Leviticus 1:2, 3; 2:1; Numbers 5:18; 6:14, 21]

MK7:12 – you [Jews] do nothing to help your father or mother! MK7:13 Thus, you invalidate 144 the Word of the God because of your tradition handed down to you, as well as many other similar things.”

144	Invalidate: Or, none effect, void, nullify, break.

MK7:14 And after Jesus had said all this he asked the crowd to approach, and then he said to them: “Every one of you, listen to me now, and understand: MK7:15 There is nothing outside entering a person that defiles. MK7:16 [[Anyone with ears – listen!]]” 145

145	Bracketed words are recognized as not adequately supported.

Mark 7:17-23 – How to Defile the Heart

|| Matthew 15:10-20 146

146	Matthew 15:10-20: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

MK7:17 Now when he left the crowd and entered into the house, his disciples asked him about the parable. MK7:18 Then Jesus told them: “Are you without understanding? Do you not comprehend? Whatever enters a person cannot defile. MK7:19 For it does not enter the heart, but rather the stomach, and after through it into the sewer.” (Thus, Jesus proclaimed all foods clean.) 147

147	Jesus proclaimed all foods clean: The subject is food and the handling of it. Here Mark adds an inspired interpretation of the conclusion reached. There are no kosher foods or drinks to the Christian. [Compare notes on Luke 11:41; Acts 10:15; Romans 14:17.] See also 1 Corinthians 10:25.

MK7:20 And he continued: “It is what comes out of a person that defiles a person. MK7:21 For it is from the inside, from a person’s heart that harmful thinking 148 proceeds: 149 sexual immorality, thievery, murder,

148	Harmful thinking: Or, evil thoughts, designs of evil, injurious reasons. Sin begins in the mind. [James 1:14, 15]

149	Proceeds: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew and the items in this list. Mark adds a few.

MK7:22 adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, loose conduct, evil eyes, blasphemy, arrogance, unreasonableness. MK7:23 All of these wicked things issue from within and defile a person.”

Mark 7:24-30 – A Syro-phoenician Woman

|| Matthew 15:21-28 150

150	Matthew 15:21-28: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

MK7:24 Now after this Jesus rose and traveled 151 to the borders of Tyre and Sidon and there he entered a certain house. He wanted to remain unrecognized 152 but he could not escape discovery.

151	Traveled: Over 50-70 miles.

152	He wanted to remain unrecognized: He travels 50-70 miles to enjoy some peace and quiet.

MK7:25 Because a certain woman whose young daughter had an unclean demon heard of him and came and fell at his feet. MK7:26 The woman was a Greek from Syro-phoenicia, 153 and she begged Jesus that he exorcise the demon from her daughter.

153	Syro-phoenicia: Ancient Canaanites and modern Palestine. This is the land from which Hebrew, Greek, Latin, and English all find their roots.

MK7:27 But Jesus said to her: “Allow the ‘children’ to eat and be satisfied first. Because it is not proper 154 to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.” 155

154	It is not proper: Or: right, fair. In a moment Jesus will do what he first said was not right or proper. Jesus has come only to call “the lost sheep of the House of Israel.”

155	Little dogs: Though some say “dogs” the Greek is diminutive and refers to puppies. “Dog” was a derogatory term used by the self-righteous Jews.

MK7:28 However, the woman answered Jesus and said to him: “True, Lord, and yet even the little dogs under the table eat the crumb’s the children spill.” MK7:29 So Jesus said to her: “Because of that statement, go now. The demon has left your daughter.” MK7:30 Now when she had returned home she discovered the demon had gone and her daughter lay resting on her bed.

Mark 7:31-37 – Deaf Ears and Dumb Speech

MK7:31 On his return journey from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon Jesus arrived at the Sea of Galilee through the middle of the area of Decapolis. 156

156	Through the middle of the area of Decapolis: An area of Ten Towns south of Galilee, thus Jesus returned from the south-west. The account here is unique to Mark.

MK7:32 Now people brought to him a deaf person who was unable to speak, and they begged him to lay his hands on him. MK7:33 Now Jesus took him aside from the crowd and put his fingers into his ears and then having spit he touched the man’s tongue. MK7:34 Then looking up toward heaven, Jesus said to him: “Ephphatha!” (That is, “Be opened!”) MK7:35 And, the man’s hearing powers were restored and his tongued was untied and he began to speak normally. MK7:36 Then Jesus ordered all of them not to tell anyone, 157 but the more he discouraged them, the more they would spread the news far and wide.

157	Not to tell anyone: Perhaps “reverse psychology” for the affect is always the same.

MK7:37 They were all amazed beyond description, and in astonishment they said: “He has done everything excellently, for he makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak.

Review Questions on Chapter Seven