# Overview Mark Chapter 7 begins with a confrontation between [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]] and the #Pharisees and some teachers of the law who had come from #Jerusalem. They question Jesus about His disciples eating with unwashed hands, which they considered a violation of the traditions of the elders. Jesus responds by quoting #Isaiah, accusing them of honoring God with their lips while their hearts are far from Him. He highlights their hypocrisy in placing human traditions above the commandments of God, using the example of their practice of "Corban" to illustrate how they nullify God’s word for the sake of tradition. Jesus then addresses the crowd, teaching that it is not what goes into a person that defiles them, but what comes out of their heart, as evil thoughts and actions originate from within. The chapter then transitions to Jesus' travels to the region of #Tyre and #Sidon, where He encounters a #Syrophoenician woman who begs Him to drive a demon out of her daughter. Despite an initial response that seems to test her faith, Jesus is moved by her reply and grants her request, healing her daughter. Jesus continues His journey through the region of the #Decapolis, where He heals a man who is deaf and has a speech impediment. He takes the man aside, performs the healing with a touch and a word, and charges those present to tell no one, though the more He insisted, the more they proclaimed it. These accounts demonstrate Jesus’ authority over physical and spiritual ailments and highlight His compassion and the universality of His ministry beyond #Israel. ## Theological Insights In #Mark Chapter 7, we encounter a profound exploration of the tension between #tradition and the #Word of #God. Jesus challenges the religious leaders, particularly the #Pharisees and #scribes, on their adherence to human traditions over divine commandments. This critique is rooted in the prophetic tradition of the #OldTestament, such as in [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 29]], where the prophet condemns the people for honoring God with their lips while their hearts are far from Him (Mark 7:6-7). This passage is a stark reminder of the need for genuine #worship that is not merely external but springs from the heart. Jesus' discourse on what truly defiles a person (Mark 7:14-23) is a pivotal theological insight. He teaches that defilement is not about external factors, such as eating with unwashed hands, but rather the evil thoughts and actions that originate from within a person's heart. This teaching aligns with the biblical understanding of the heart as the seat of moral and spiritual life, as seen in [[Proverbs/Proverbs Chapter 4|Proverbs 4:23]], "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." Moreover, the narrative of the #Syrophoenician woman's faith (Mark 7:24-30) underscores the inclusive nature of Jesus' mission. Despite the initial refusal, her persistence and faith lead to the healing of her daughter, illustrating the breaking down of ethnic and cultural barriers in the #Kingdom of #God. This anticipates the broader mission to the #Gentiles, as seen in the #GreatCommission (cf. [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 28]]). Finally, the healing of the deaf and mute man (Mark 7:31-37) serves as a sign of the coming #Messianic age, fulfilling the promises of restoration found in the #prophets, such as [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 35]], where the ears of the deaf will be unstopped. This miracle not only demonstrates Jesus' compassion and divine authority but also points to the ultimate restoration and healing that comes through Him. Overall, Mark 7 challenges readers to examine the authenticity of their faith, the centrality of the heart in true obedience to God, and the expansive reach of the Gospel message. ## Thematic Connections ### Tradition vs. Commandment In Mark 7, Jesus confronts the Pharisees and scribes on the issue of prioritizing human traditions over God's commandments. This theme resonates with Old Testament criticisms of ritualism and hypocrisy, as seen in passages like [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 29|Isaiah 29:13]], which Jesus quotes to highlight the disconnect between outward religious practices and true heart obedience. The tension between human tradition and divine commandment is a recurring biblical theme, seen also in the warnings of prophets such as [[Jeremiah/Jeremiah Chapter 7|Jeremiah]]. ### Purity and Defilement Jesus' teaching on what truly defiles a person shifts the focus from external adherence to dietary laws to the internal condition of the heart. This theme is echoed in passages like [[1 Samuel/1 Samuel Chapter 16|1 Samuel 16:7]], where God emphasizes looking at the heart rather than outward appearance. The discussion in Mark 7 challenges the prevailing Jewish understanding of purity, aligning more closely with the psalmist's focus on a pure heart in [[Psalms/Psalms Chapter 51|Psalm 51:10]]. ### Inclusivity of God’s Kingdom The account of Jesus healing the Syrophoenician woman's daughter underscores the theme of the inclusivity of God's kingdom, extending beyond the boundaries of Israel to the Gentiles. This narrative anticipates the broader mission to the Gentiles seen in the early church, as recorded in [[Acts/Acts Chapter 10|Acts 10]] with the conversion of Cornelius. It reflects the prophetic vision of a worldwide blessing, as promised to #Abraham in [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 12|Genesis 12:3]]. ### Faith and Persistence The Syrophoenician woman's interaction with Jesus also highlights the theme of persistent faith. Her determination and humility resonate with other biblical accounts of persistent faith, such as the plea of [[1 Samuel/1 Samuel Chapter 1|Hannah]] for a child and the persistent widow in [[Luke/Luke Chapter 18|Luke 18]]. This theme encourages believers to approach God with boldness and perseverance in prayer. ### The Messianic Secret The healing of the deaf and mute man in Mark 7 continues the theme of the Messianic Secret, where Jesus often instructs those he heals not to tell others about him. This theme is seen throughout the Gospel of Mark, emphasizing the gradual revelation of Jesus' identity and mission. This deliberate concealment echoes the mysterious ways God often worked in the Old Testament, such as through the hidden purposes revealed in [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 50|Genesis 50:20]] in the story of #Joseph. ## Prophetic Fulfillments ### The Messiah's Authority Over Tradition In Mark 7, [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]] exercises authority over human traditions, particularly those of the #Pharisees, as he challenges their practices with God’s commandments. This action aligns with prophecies that describe the #Messiah as the one who would bring true understanding and fulfillment of the Law, as seen in passages like [[Jeremiah/Jeremiah Chapter 31|Jeremiah 31:31-34]], where a new covenant is promised, indicating a shift from mere human tradition to a more profound, heart-centered obedience to God. ### The Prophecy of a Purified People Jesus’ teaching that defilement comes from within, from the heart, rather than external sources like unclean foods, resonates with the prophetic vision of a purified and renewed people. This echoes #Ezekiel’s prophecy in [[Ezekiel/Ezekiel Chapter 36|Ezekiel 36:25-27]], where God promises to cleanse His people and give them a new heart and spirit. Jesus’ emphasis on internal purity and righteousness fulfills this promise, indicating the dawning reality of God’s transformative work among His people through the Messiah. ### The Inclusion of the Gentiles The healing of the Syrophoenician woman’s daughter in Mark 7 is a significant prophetic fulfillment regarding the inclusion of the #Gentiles in God’s plan. This event reflects the promise that the #Messiah would be a light to the nations, as prophesied in [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 42|Isaiah 42:6]] and [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 49|Isaiah 49:6]], where the servant of the Lord is designated to bring salvation beyond Israel to all peoples. Jesus’ willingness to extend his ministry to a Gentile woman foreshadows the broader mission of the gospel to all nations. ### The Promise of Healing and Restoration The healing of the deaf and mute man in Mark 7 not only demonstrates Jesus’ compassion and divine power but also fulfills the prophetic expectations of healing and restoration associated with the #Messiah. This act aligns with the prophecy in [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 35|Isaiah 35:5-6]], where the coming of God’s kingdom is marked by miraculous healings: the blind see, the deaf hear, the lame walk, and the mute sing for joy. Jesus’ miracles serve as a foretaste and fulfillment of this promised restoration. ## Verses - **Mark 7:1** - "One day some Pharisees and teachers of religious law arrived from #Jerusalem to see [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]]." - See also [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 15]] for a similar account of this event. - **Mark 7:2** - "They noticed that some of his disciples failed to follow the Jewish ritual of hand washing before eating." - The ritual of handwashing is also mentioned in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 30]]. - **Mark 7:3** - "(The Jews, especially the Pharisees, do not eat until they have poured water over their cupped hands, as required by their ancient traditions.)" - **Mark 7:4** - "Similarly, they don’t eat anything from the market until they immerse their hands in water. This is but one of many traditions they have clung to—such as their ceremonial washing of cups, pitchers, and kettles.)" - **Mark 7:5** - "So the Pharisees and teachers of religious law asked him, 'Why don’t your disciples follow our age-old tradition? They eat without first performing the hand-washing ceremony.'" - **Mark 7:6** - "Jesus replied, 'You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you, for he wrote, 'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.'" - Reference to [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 29]]. - **Mark 7:7** - "'Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.'" - See also [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 29]]. - **Mark 7:8** - "'For you ignore God’s law and substitute your own tradition.'" - **Mark 7:9** - "Then he said, 'You skillfully sidestep God’s law in order to hold on to your own tradition.'" - **Mark 7:10** - "For instance, Moses gave you this law from God: ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and ‘Anyone who speaks disrespectfully of father or mother must be put to death.’" - Reference to [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 20]], [[Deuteronomy/Deuteronomy Chapter 5]]. - **Mark 7:11** - "But you say it is all right for people to say to their parents, ‘Sorry, I can’t help you. For I have vowed to give to God what I would have given to you.’" - **Mark 7:12** - "In this way, you let them disregard their needy parents." - **Mark 7:13** - "And so you cancel the word of God in order to hand down your own tradition. And this is only one example among many others." - **Mark 7:14** - "Then Jesus called to the crowd to come and hear. 'All of you listen,' he said, 'and try to understand.'" - **Mark 7:15** - "It’s not what goes into your body that defiles you; you are defiled by what comes from your heart.'" - **Mark 7:16** - "Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!" - **Mark 7:17** - "Then Jesus went into a house to get away from the crowd, and his disciples asked him what he meant by the parable he had just used." - **Mark 7:18** - "'Don’t you understand either?' he asked. 'Can’t you see that the food you put into your body cannot defile you?'" - **Mark 7:19** - "Food doesn’t go into your heart, but only passes through the stomach and then goes into the sewer.' (By saying this, he declared that every kind of food is acceptable in God’s eyes.)" - See also [[Acts/Acts Chapter 10]] for Peter's vision regarding clean and unclean animals. - **Mark 7:20** - "And then he added, 'It is what comes from inside that defiles you.'" - **Mark 7:21** - "For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder," - **Mark 7:22** - "adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness." - **Mark 7:23** - "All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you.'" - **Mark 7:24** - "Then Jesus left Galilee and went north to the region of Tyre. He didn’t want anyone to know which house he was staying in, but he couldn’t keep it a secret." - **Mark 7:25** - "Right away a woman who had heard about him came and fell at his feet. Her little girl was possessed by an evil spirit," - **Mark 7:26** - "and she begged him to cast out the demon from her daughter. Since she was a Gentile, born in Syrian Phoenicia," - **Mark 7:27** - "Jesus told her, 'First I should feed the children—my own family, the Jews. It isn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.'" - **Mark 7:28** - "She replied, 'That’s true, Lord, but even the dogs under the table are allowed to eat the scraps from the children’s plates.'" - **Mark 7:29** - "'Good answer!' he said. 'Now go home, for the demon has left your daughter.'" - **Mark 7:30** - "And when she arrived home, she found her little girl lying quietly in bed, and the demon was gone." - **Mark 7:31** - "Jesus left Tyre and went up to Sidon before going back to the Sea of Galilee and the region of the Ten Towns." - **Mark 7:32** - "A deaf man with a speech impediment was brought to him, and the people begged Jesus to lay his hands on the man to heal him." - **Mark 7:33** - "Jesus led him away from the crowd so they could be alone. He put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then, spitting on his own fingers, he touched the man’s tongue." - **Mark 7:34** - "Looking up to heaven, he sighed and said, 'Ephphatha,' which means, 'Be opened!'" - **Mark 7:35** - "Instantly the man could hear perfectly, and his tongue was freed so he could speak plainly!" - **Mark 7:36** - "Jesus told the crowd not to tell anyone, but the more he told them not to, the more they spread the news." - **Mark 7:37** - "They were completely amazed and said again and again, 'Everything he does is wonderful. He even makes the deaf to hear and gives speech to those who cannot speak.'" - See also [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 35]] where the prophecy of healing the deaf and mute is mentioned.