In this chapter the Lord exposes the foolishness of man’s heart in putting religious forms and washings before the Word of God, and that men’s traditions oppose and make of none effect the Word of God, then He tells what comes out of the hearts of men, and in His miracles we see His own love and goodness unfolded.
Mark 7:1-51Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem. 2And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault. 3For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. 4And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brazen vessels, and of tables. 5Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands? (Mark 7:1‑5). The Pharisees and Scribes from Jerusalem came together unto Him, and when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen hands, they found fault. The tradition of the elders had added this. It seemed right, and were they not wise men that came to the conclusion that it should be done? So they ask Him, “Why walk not Thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?”
Mark 7:6-136He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoreth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. 7Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 8For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. 9And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. 10For Moses said, Honor thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death: 11But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free. 12And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother; 13Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye. (Mark 7:6‑13). He answered and said unto them, “Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites (He could read their hearts through and through), as it is written, This people honoreth Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. Howbeit in vain do they worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and man other such like things ye do.” Then He gives them a sample of how they set the Word of God aside: He said unto them, “Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. For Moses said, Honor thy father and thy mother; and whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death: But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me, he shall be free. And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother, making the Word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.” Such were the Pharisees and the Scribes, and we must not think they are all dead yet, though some of them would be grievously offended if one said they were Pharisees. A Pharisee trusts in himself to work out his own righteousness, and thinks himself far better than a poor sinner, like the publicans (Luke 18:99And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: (Luke 18:9)). The Lord calls them hypocrites. What they do religiously seems very nice, but on examination it proves to be dead works, and sets aside the finished work of Christ and the Word of God. Man’s religion consists of outward observances. It does not necessarily take a Jewish from or character; it may be thought to be Christianity, but it puts forms and outward show instead of Christ. It is generally called church work; they may be duly baptized members, and take the communion, belong to Christian Endeavors, be Sunday School teachers, or leaders in class meetings, and mingle with those who are truly washed from their sins in the blood of Christ, and yet be only Pharisees, hypocrites, imitation of Christians; and all they do is displeasing to God, for they do not know the Lord Jesus as their personal Savior. They never realized that they were guilty, lost sinners, needing a Savior. A true Christian is one who has found out that he was a guilty sinner in the sight of God, and who came to Jesus as the One who died on the Cross for his sins. Have you, dear reader, come to Christ yet? Each one of us must begin there.
Mark 7:14-1614And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand: 15There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man. 16If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. (Mark 7:14‑16). He called all the people unto Him, and said, “Hearken unto Me, every one of you, and understand: There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man. If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.” Man looks at the outward appearance; the Lord looks on the heart. The tradition of the elders let a man off from supporting his parents, if he gave the money to the priests, or for the temple. God held them guilty of setting aside His Word. We cannot improve the World; we must take it, let it judge our ways, and let it lead us in His way. The Kingdom of God is not meat and drink (nor outward ordinances), but righteousness peace and joy in the Holy Ghost” (Rom. 14:1717For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. (Romans 14:17)). God always begins inside.
Mark 7:17-2317And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable. 18And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him; 19Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats? 20And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. 21For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 23All these evil things come from within, and defile the man. (Mark 7:17‑23). The disciples did not understand what He taught in verses 14 and 15, so asked Him concerning the parable. He gently rebuked their lack of spiritual understanding and explained to them not only the natural course of food, but what was more important and serious – the moral degradation of man: of each one of us by nature. How humbling it is to know that Verses 21, 22 is the state of my heart and your heart by nature (Prov. 27:1919As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man. (Proverbs 27:19)). Where is my righteousness to come from, since that is my picture? If I compare it with Romans 3:9-209What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; 10As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. 13Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: 14Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: 15Their feet are swift to shed blood: 16Destruction and misery are in their ways: 17And the way of peace have they not known: 18There is no fear of God before their eyes. 19Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. (Romans 3:9‑20) I see I can produce none. Blessed be the name of the Lord. He can and has done it. He is my righteousness (1 Cor. 1:3030But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: (1 Corinthians 1:30); 2 Cor. 15:21). And here in Rom. 3 we are told this righteousness is unto all (everybody), and upon all that believe (Rom. 3:21, 2221But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: (Romans 3:21‑22)). And now that we are the Lord’s, and cleansed by His blood, we need to remember that that which is born of the flesh is flesh still; it will never improve. And that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Thank God, the Holy Spirit also dwells in us, giving us Christ as our object and power to keep the flesh from working; it is not our master now. Our old man is crucified with Christ, and now we are to reckon ourselves dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Rom. 6:6,116Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. (Romans 6:6)
11Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:11)). We need to watch and pray, lest we enter into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. The Lord can and will keep us if we remain in dependence on Him. How readily Peter cursed and swore (Mark 14:7171But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak. (Mark 14:71)).
The Galatian saints were warned of the danger of allowing the flesh to work (Gal. 5:15-2615But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. 16This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 19Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. (Galatians 5:15‑26)). See also what is said to the Corinthians (2 Cor. 12:7,20-217And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. (2 Corinthians 12:7)
20For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults: 21And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed. (2 Corinthians 12:20‑21)). Paul, the apostle, needed a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to buffet him, lest he should be exalted above measure. Thank God, our eternal salvation He secures for us (John 5:24; 10:28-2924Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24)
28And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. (John 10:28‑29); Phil. 1:66Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: (Philippians 1:6)).
It was because He loved us that He told us of the evil that was in us, and made us feel our need of Him.
Mark 7:24-3124And from thence he arose, and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and entered into an house, and would have no man know it: but he could not be hid. 25For a certain woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of him, and came and fell at his feet: 26The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter. 27But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs. 28And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs. 29And he said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter. 30And when she was come to her house, she found the devil gone out, and her daughter laid upon the bed. 31And again, departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, he came unto the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis. (Mark 7:24‑31). The Lord went to the borders of Tire and Sidon, that part of Israel’s land where Gentiles still lived, and entered into a house, and would have no man know it. He was rejected and felt it. He was a true servant hiding Himself, but He could not be hid, for a certain woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of Him, and came and fell at his feet. She believed He had the power; she believed in His goodness also, and though she was one of Israel’s enemies, a Cannanite, “She besought Him that He would cast forth the demon out of her daughter.” She must take her true place first; she must own she is only a Gentile dog, an outcast from God. “Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled; for it is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it unto the dogs.” She owns it is all grace, she has no claim, but the sense of His goodness that delights to meet the needy one. “And she answered and said unto Him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children’s crumbs.” She is now under the table, and down come the crumbs to her in abundance. “And He said unto her, For this saying, go thy way: the demon is gone out of thy daughter.” And when she was come to her house, she found the demon gone out, and her daughter laid upon the bed. Faith always finds its answer in the heart of God, as untiring in His goodness where need puts in its claim. Hidden from the Jews, the children spoken of here, He is full of grace to the sinner who owns his unworthiness.
Mark 7:31-3731And again, departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, he came unto the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis. 32And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech him to put his hand upon him. 33And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue; 34And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened. 35And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain. 36And he charged them that they should tell no man: but the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal they published it; 37And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak. (Mark 7:31‑37). He goes back to Decapolis again. They bring a man unto Him who cannot hear right, and cannot speak right, and they beseech Him to put His hands on him. He took him aside from the multitude and then looking up to heaven He sighed. The Lord felt the unbelief of Israel, and sighed over their condition, as deaf to hear the voice of their God, and incapable of praising Him. And now the deaf ears are opened, and the string of his tongue is loosed to speak plain. He charged them that they should tell no man; but the more Ile charged them, so much more a great deal they published it; and were beyond measure astonished, saying” He hath done all things well lie maketh both the deaf to hear and the dumb to speak.” He separates Himself from the multitude; this expresses their unbelief. He sighed and looked up to heaven; this tells of His sorrow in sympathy with heaven, while His power in goodness restores the remnant.
And above all the rest this note shall swell, Our Savior has done all things well.”