Studies in Mark 7:1-8: Vain Ablutions, Continued

Mark 7:1‑8  •  1 min. read  •  grade level: 9
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7:1-8
This may be the explanation, but whatever the Jews thought of Pilate's act, they accepted full, responsibility. Whether it reminded them of the provision of the law in the case of an uncertain homicide (Deuteronomy 21:66And all the elders of that city, that are next unto the slain man, shall wash their hands over the heifer that is beheaded in the valley: (Deuteronomy 21:6)) or not, they cried out, in reckless hardihood, “His blood be on us and on our children.” Theirs therefore was the greater guilt, though the Gentiles were not exonerated, as the Lord said to Pilate, “He that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.”
In conclusion, let us observe that whatever else is not fully established, it is certain that material water could never remove the defilement of the Jew, nor the blood-guiltiness of the Gentile (Job 9:30, 3130If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands never so clean; 31Yet shalt thou plunge me in the ditch, and mine own clothes shall abhor me. (Job 9:30‑31)). And the appeal of God still goes forth, “O Jerusalem, wash thine heart from. wickedness, that thou mayest be saved. How long shall thine evil thoughts lodge within thee?” (Jeremiah 4:1414O Jerusalem, wash thine heart from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved. How long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee? (Jeremiah 4:14)). “Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes” (Isaiah 1:1616Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; (Isaiah 1:16)). “Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double-minded” (James 4:88Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. (James 4:8)). But there can be no real national response until they look to Him whom they pierced. Then will they mourn for Him. And “in that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and uncleanness” (Zechariah 13:11In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness. (Zechariah 13:1)). Then Jehovah Himself will undertake their purification, as He promised long ago to do, saying, “I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness and from all your idols, will I cleanse you” (Ezek. 36:2525Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. (Ezekiel 36:25)).
W. J. H.