Mark 7:3
(For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they carefully wash their hands, thus observing the traditions of the elders;
(a) Pharisees; see entry for Matt. 3:7.
(b) The traditions of the elders; see entry for Mark 7:5.
Mark 7:4
and when they come from the market place, they do not eat unless they cleanse themselves; and there are many other things which they have received in order to observe, such as the washing of cups and pitchers and copper pots.)
The washing of cups. The original word for washing (baptismos) is related to the word for baptism (baptisma) and means immersion. To be baptized means to be dipped or immersed. See entry for Baptism.
Mark 7:5
The Pharisees and the scribes asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with impure hands?”
(a) Pharisees; see entry for Matt. 3:7.
(b) Scribes; see entry for Matt. 5:20.
(c) The traditions of the elders refer to the teachers of Jewish teachers and sages that had been orally handed down. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees and scribes for putting more emphases on these teachings than the commandment of God (see Mark 7:8).
Mark 7:13
thus invalidating the word of God by your tradition which you have handed down; and you do many things such as that.”
The word of God in this context is the law, specifically the fifth commandment (see Mark 7:10).
The word of God is the means by which God reveals himself and his will. In the old covenant, God communicated his will to Israel through the Ten Commandments and the law. However, the religious Jews twisted the law to suit their traditions. By doing this the nullified the word of God.
See entry for The Word of God.
Mark 7:16
[“If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”]
Ears to hear. “You need to hear and receive this.” See the entry for Matt. 11:15.
Mark 7:20
And He was saying, “That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man.
The religious folk were worried about what they were putting into their stomachs, but Jesus told them to watch what comes out of their hearts. When temptation is received, it gives birth to sin and this happens in the heart.
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