Thematic Bible
Mark 7:1 (show verse)
One day the Pharisees and some of the Teachers of the Law who had come from Jerusalem gathered round Jesus.
Mark 7:2 (show verse)
They had noticed that some of his disciples ate their food with their hands 'defiled,' by which they meant unwashed.
Mark 7:3 (show verse)
(For the Pharisees, and indeed all strict Jews, will not eat without first scrupulously washing their hands, holding in this to the traditions of their ancestors.
Mark 7:4 (show verse)
When they come from market, they will not eat without first sprinkling themselves; and there are many other customs which they have inherited and hold to, such as the ceremonial washing of cups, and jugs, and copper pans).
Mark 7:5 (show verse)
So the Pharisees and the Teachers of the Law asked Jesus this question--"How is it that your disciples do not follow the traditions of our ancestors, but eat their food with defiled hands?"
Mark 7:6 (show verse)
His answer was: "It was well said by Isaiah when he prophesied about you hypocrites in the words--'This is a people that honor me with their lips, While their hearts are far removed from me;
Mark 7:7 (show verse)
But vainly do they worship me, For they teach but the precepts of men.'
Mark 7:8 (show verse)
You neglect God's commandments and hold to the traditions of men.
Mark 7:9 (show verse)
Wisely do you set aside God's commandments," he exclaimed, "to keep your own traditions!
Mark 7:10 (show verse)
For while Moses said 'Honor thy father and thy mother,' and 'Let him who reviles his father or mother suffer death,'
Mark 7:11 (show verse)
You say 'If a man says to his father or mother "Whatever of mine might have been of service to you is Korban"' (which means 'Given to God')--
Mark 7:12 (show verse)
Why, then you do not allow him to do anything further for his father or mother!
Mark 7:13 (show verse)
In this way you nullify the words of God by your traditions, which you hand down; and you do many similar things."
Mark 7:14 (show verse)
Then Jesus called the people to him again, and said: "Listen to me, all of you, and mark my words.
Mark 7:15 (show verse)
There is nothing external to a man, which by going into him can 'defile' him; but the things that come out from a man are the things that defile him."
Mark 7:16 (show verse)
OMITTED TEXT
Mark 7:17 (show verse)
When Jesus went indoors, away from the crowd, his disciples began questioning him about this saying.
Mark 7:18 (show verse)
"What, do even you understand so little?" exclaimed Jesus. "Do not you see that there is nothing external to a man, which by going into a man, can 'defile' him,
Mark 7:19 (show verse)
Because it does not pass into his heart, but into his stomach, and is afterwards got rid of?--in saying this Jesus pronounced all food 'clean.'
Mark 7:20 (show verse)
"It is what comes out from a man," he added, "that defiles him,
Mark 7:21 (show verse)
For it is from within, out of the hearts of men, that there come evil thoughts--unchastity, theft, murder, adultery,
Mark 7:22 (show verse)
Greed, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, haughtiness, folly;
Mark 7:23 (show verse)
All these wicked things come from within, and do defile a man."
Mark 7:24 (show verse)
On leaving that place, Jesus went to the district of Tyre and Sidon. And he went into a house, and did not wish anyone to know it, but could not escape notice.
Mark 7:25 (show verse)
For a woman, whose little daughter had a foul spirit in her, heard of him immediately, and came and threw herself at his feet--
Mark 7:26 (show verse)
The woman was a foreigner, a native of Syrian Phoenicia--and she begged him to drive the demon out of her daughter.
Mark 7:27 (show verse)
"Let the children be satisfied first," answered Jesus. "For it is not fair to take the children's food, and throw it to dogs."
Mark 7:28 (show verse)
"Yes, Master," she replied; "even the dogs under the table do feed on the children's crumbs."
Mark 7:29 (show verse)
"For saying that," he answered, "you may go. The demon has gone out of your daughter."
Mark 7:30 (show verse)
The woman went home, and found the child lying on her bed, and the demon gone.
Mark 7:31 (show verse)
On returning from the district of Tyre, Jesus went, by way of Sidon, to the Sea of Galilee, across the district of the Ten Towns.
Mark 7:32 (show verse)
Some people brought to him a man who was deaf and almost dumb, and they begged Jesus to place his hand on him.
Mark 7:33 (show verse)
Jesus took him aside from the crowd quietly, put his fingers into the man's ears, and touched his tongue with saliva.
Mark 7:34 (show verse)
Then, looking up to Heaven, he sighed, and said to the man: "Ephphatha!" which means 'Be opened.'
Mark 7:35 (show verse)
The man's ears were opened, the string of his tongue was freed, and he began to talk plainly.
Mark 7:36 (show verse)
Jesus insisted upon their not telling any one; but the more he insisted, the more perseveringly they made it known,
Mark 7:37 (show verse)
And a profound impression was made upon the people. "He has done everything well!" they exclaimed. "He makes even the deaf hear and the dumb speak!"