If you are a reader of Bibleyou've probably heard of Marcos 7. This chapter is one of the best known and most studied of the Book It contains a number of important teachings and discussions. If you haven't read Mark 7 yet, this is a great time to start reading and learning more about the message that Jesus Christ brought into the world.
The chapter begins with a discussion about the Jewish tradition of washing hands before eating. Jesus is questioned by the Pharisees and teachers of the law as to why his disciples don't follow this tradition. Jesus replies that the tradition of men is not the same as the Word of God, and that what defiles a man is not what goes into his mouth, but what comes out of it. This message is important because it shows that religion should not be based solely on rituals and traditions, but on true worship of God.
In Mark 7, Jesus also talks about the importance of inner purity, in contrast to the Pharisees' preoccupation with outer purity. He teaches that what comes out of a man's heart is what makes him impure, not what he eats or touches. This teaching is fundamental to understanding Jesus' message, which focuses on the importance of faithof kindness and love for others.
Confrontation with the Pharisees and Scribes
In this chapter, you will see that Jesus confronts the Pharisees and scribes about their human traditions, which they valued more than the divine commandments. This shows how religion can become a matter of rituals and formalities, rather than a matter of the heart and obedience to God.
Human Traditions versus Divine Commandments
Jesus begins the discussion with the Pharisees and scribes, who criticized his disciples for not washing their hands before eating. Jesus responds by saying that they were more concerned with their human traditions than with the divine commandments. He quotes the prophet Isaiahwho said: "This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me" (Mark 7:6, Isaiah 29:13).
Jesus explains that it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a man, but what comes out of the mouth, because it is what comes out of the heart that defiles a man. He lists the sins that come out of the heart, such as: adultery, fornication, murder, theft, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, envy, blasphemy and pride (Mark 7:20-23).
Corban and Honoring Parents
Jesus also criticizes the Pharisees and scribes for allowing people to nullify God's word through their traditions. He cites the example of the corban, a vow that someone makes to dedicate something to God. The Pharisees allowed people to override their obligation to honor their parents by saying that what they had dedicated to God was more important. Jesus calls this hypocrisy and says that they nullified God's word because of their traditions (Mark 7:9-13).
In short, this chapter shows how human traditions can become more important than God's commandments. Jesus teaches us that we must obey God wholeheartedly and not allow our traditions to lead us away from him.
The Question of Purity
When the Pharisees and teachers of the law saw that some of Jesus' disciples ate their meal with unclean hands, they criticized the disciples' purification practices (Mark 7:1-2). Their criticism was an opportunity for Jesus to explain the true meaning of impurity.
Criticism of Purification Practices
The Pharisees and teachers of the law were criticizing Jesus' disciples for not washing their hands before eating. They believed that impurity was an external matter, which could be removed through washing ceremonies and other purification practices. However, Jesus criticized this approach, arguing that impurity comes from the heart and not from the outside (Mark 7:14-15). He said that purification practices have no real value if they are not accompanied by a change of heart.
The True Meaning of Impurity
Jesus explained that impurity doesn't come from external things like dirty food or hands, but from bad thoughts and actions. He said that what comes out of the heart is what makes a person unclean - including things like sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, levity, envy, slander, arrogance and foolishness (Mark 7:20-23).
Jesus was teaching that true purity comes from within, from the heart, and cannot be achieved through external practices of purification. He was criticizing the Pharisees and teachers of the law for focusing on external practices and neglecting the importance of a change of heart.
Teaching through Parables and Miracles
Jesus used parables and miracles to teach people about the Kingdom of God. In Mark 7, we find two examples of these teachings.
The Syro-Phoenician Woman and Faith
In Mark 7:24-30, Jesus is in Tyre and Sidon, in the Syrian region of Phoenicia. A woman from that region approaches Jesus and asks him to cast an unclean spirit out of her daughter. Jesus replies that it is not right to take bread from one's children and throw it to the dogs. The woman, however, retorts that even puppies eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table. Impressed by the woman's faith, Jesus casts the unclean spirit out of her daughter.
The Healing of the Deaf and Dumb Man
In Mark 7:31-37, Jesus is in the region of Decapolis, on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. A deaf and mute man is brought to Jesus for healing. Jesus puts his fingers in the man's ears, spits and touches his tongue. He then looks up to heaven, sighs and says "Ephphatha", which means "Open up". Immediately, the man's ears open and his tongue comes out. The people are amazed and say that Jesus did everything perfectly.
These teachings of Jesus show that faith and trust in God are fundamental to receiving his blessings. In addition, they demonstrate Jesus' power over all unclean spirits and diseases.
