Marcos 7
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Marcos 7
SYNOPTIC GOSPEL PARALLELS Mark 7:1-23 is paralleled in Matt. 15:1-20 Mark 7:24-30 is paralleled in Matt. 15:21-28 Mark 7:31-8:9 is paralleled in Matt. 15:29-38 For a good discussion on how to handle the Gospel parallels, see Fee and Stuart, How To Read the Bible for All Its Worth, pp. 127-148.
Marcos 7:1-8
7:1 "Pharisees" These were the most sincere religionists of their day (i.e. Nicodemus and Joseph of Aramathea). Culturally they were the best of the best. Jesus' conversations with them are recorded often (cf. Mark 7:5-8; 11:27-33; 12:13-17). See fuller note at Mark 2:6. SPECIAL TOPIC: PHARISEES ▣ "some of the scribes. . .had come from Jerusalem" The religious leaders were always following Him to find fault (cf. Mark 3:22; John 1:19). They apparently were an official fact-finding committee from the Sanhedrin of Jerusalem. The Sanhedrin (see SPECIAL TOPIC: SANHEDRIN) was made up of 70 persons from ruling priestly families (i.e., Sadducees; see SPECIAL TOPIC: SADDUCEES) local religious leaders local wealthy land owners 7:2 "impure hands, that is, unwashed" This was not hygienic, but religious (cf. Mark 7:4). Ceremonial purity was a very serious matter to them (cf. Luke 11:38; Matt. 15:2). It was spelled out in specific terms in the Talmud. The heart of the controversy was over the authority of the Oral Traditions, which interpreted OT texts. ▣ "impure" This is the Greek term koinos, which means "common" or "available to all." It is the name moderns give to the common Greek of Jesus' day (i.e., Koinē). The Latin term "vulgate" has the same connotation (i.e., available to all). In this context it refers to that which is ceremonially unclean because of its contact with other unclean things. 7:3 NASB, Peshitta "unless they carefully wash their hands" "unless they wash their hands in a special way" "unless they thoroughly wash their hands" "unless they wash their hands in the proper way" "without washing their arms as far as the elbow" There is a Greek manuscript variation in this phrase. The most unusual reading is pugmē, which means "fist," found in the ancient uncial manuscripts A, B, and L while pukna, meaning "frequently," is found in א, W, and the Vulgate and Peshitta Some ancient texts just omit the parenthesis of Mark 7:3-4 (i.e., ninth century manuscript 037, known by the Greek capital letter, delta, and some Coptic and Syriac translations and the Diatessaron). The UBS 4 gives option #1 an "A" rating (certain). It is possible that this difficult Greek term reflects a Greek translation of an Aramaic phrase "unless they wash their hands in a (special) jug" (cf. Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, edited by Gerhard Friedrich and Geoffrey W. Broomiley, vol. 6, p. 916). The Pharisees took the OT requirement for priests on duty in the temple and expanded them to all "true" Jews' every day requirement. They were adding their Oral Traditions to the Law of Moses. Another option would be to take it as a rabbinical method of washing one's hands and arms with a closed fist, but this is not substantiated by any written rabbinical tradition, unless it refers to the concept of catching the water poured over the elbows (with the hands down) with an open cupped hand so that it could be rubbed on the elbow again. The term "wash" (niptō, cf. Matt. 15:2) was usually used to refer to washing part of the body and not to a complete bath (i.e., louō, cf. John 13:10). ▣ "observing the traditions of the elders" These traditions (cf. Gal. 1:14) were codified in the Talmud (i.e., Mishna). There are two editions of these rabbinical traditions. The more complete one is the Babylon Talmud and the unfinished one is the Palestine Talmud. The modern study of this literature has been hampered because no one is sure when these discussions were originally spoken or recorded. Two later rabbinical schools of interpretation developed, one conservative (i.e., Shammai) and one liberal (i.e., Hillel). All issues are debated based on these rabbinical discussions. The rabbis would quote their predecessors as authoritative. SPECIAL TOPIC: RABBINICAL HERMENEUTICAL TECHNIQUES 7:4 "unless they cleanse themselves" The Jews expanded the laws relating to the priest entering the tabernacle to include all Jews (cf. Exod. 30:19). These regulations relate to ceremonial cleanliness. They had developed over a long period of time by inference and extrapolation from Levitical rules. There is a Greek manuscript variant in this phrase. Some Greek texts have: AORIST MIDDLE SUBJUNCTIVE of baptizō (i.e., MSS A, D, W as well as the Vulgate and Syriac translations) PRESENT PASSIVE INDICATIVE of baptizō (i.e., MSS F, L) AORIST MIDDLE SUBJUNCTIVE of rantizō "to sprinkle" (i.e., MSS א, B and the Coptic translation). Most modern translations go with option #1. Early scribes may have inserted #3 because baptizō had become a technical term for Christian baptism The UBS 4 gives #1 a "B" rating (almost certain). SPECIAL TOPIC: TEXTUAL CRITICISM "and copper pots" "copper vessels and couches" "bronze kettles" "copper bowls and beds" "bronze dishes" "copper utensils" This term "pots" is a Latin term. Mark uses more Latin words than any other NT book. This may reflect its being written in Rome for Romans. There is a Greek textual variant which adds klinōn (i.e., beds or couches) in manuscripts A, D, and W, while P 45 , א, B, and L omit it. Possibly scribes, knowing Leviticus 15, added the phrase, or later scribes, unfamiliar with the OT text, thought it out of place and deleted it. Speculation is interesting, but theologically insignificant. 7:5 "asked Him" This is an IMPERFECT tense which implies that they asked Him over and over again or else began to ask Him. ▣ "not walk according to the tradition of the elders" This was a serious religious matter for them. There is even a recorded incident in Jewish literature of a rabbi being excommunicated for failure to properly wash his hands. The Talmud, which recorded their rabbinical discussions on how to understand and implement OT texts, had become "the authority." 7:6 "Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you" Jesus believed that historically particular OT texts from Isaiah's day still related to this generation of Pharisees seven hundred years later. This shows the relevance of the Scripture to each new generation. God's truths are affected by culture, but they also transcend time and culture! Jesus quotes Isa. 29:13. SPECIAL TOPIC: PROPHECY (OT) ▣ "hypocrites" This is a compound from two words "under" and "to judge." It was a term used to describe actors playing a part behind a mask. Jesus accuses them of over zealousness on some issues, but total depreciation of others (cf. Isa. 29:13; Col. 2:16-23). It is not by accident that "hypocrites" and hand washing appear together in Ps. 26:4 and 6! SPECIAL TOPIC: HYPOCRITES ▣ "as it is written" This is PERFECT TENSE meaning "it stands written." This was a standard Jewish idiom for referring to inspired Scripture (cf. Mark 9:12-13; 11:17; Matt. 4:4,7,10). The quote is from the Septuagint of Isa. 29:13, which describes human self-righteousness. Jesus gives an example of this in Mark 7:9-19 and in the parallel of Matt. 15:4-6. ▣ "heart" For the Jews this was the center of mental activity, therefore, the basis of action. They used religious ritual as a means of gaining acceptance with God. Their traditions had become ultimate! This is always a danger with religious people. SPECIAL TOPIC: HEART ▣ "is far away" This means "to hold at a distance." Religious practices are often used to circumvent total dedication to God. Often religion is a barrier, not a bridge, to God. 7:7 What a devastating condemnation of religious hypocrisy and formalism. 7:8 "neglecting" This means "to send away" (i.e., God's commandment) and is in direct contrast to "hold," which means "to grab," "to grasp," or "to cling to" the traditions. ▣ "the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men" The issue is revelation (inspired Scripture) versus human religious tradition (Talmud). This is an issue for every person in every culture (or denomination). Religious authority is a crucial issue! SPECIAL TOPIC: INSPIRATION
Marcos 7:9-13
7:9 "You are experts at setting aside" "All too well you object" "You have a fine way of rejecting" "You have a clever way of rejecting" "How ingeniously you get around" "You certainly do injustice" This is cutting sarcasm, much like John 3:10. 7:10 "Moses said" The parallel of Matt. 15:4 has, "God said." This shows God's inspiration behind Moses' words. SPECIAL TOPIC: THE BIBLE (its uniqueness and inspiration) SPECIAL TOPIC: MOSES' AUTHORSHIP OF THE PENTATEUCH ▣ "honor" This is a quote from the Ten Commandments recorded in Exod. 20:12 and repeated in Deut. 5:16. It is from a Hebrew commercial word "to give due weight to" (BDB 457), which means to recognize the worth of something. 7:11 "if" This is a THIRD CLASS CONDITIONAL SENTENCE, which speaks of potential action. Jesus is referring to contemporary ways of circumventing God's Law (cf. Mark 7:12). ▣ "your father and your mother" This shows the required respect for both parents. There is a mutuality between men and women before the Fall, see my notes online at Gen. 1:26-27; 2:18; 5:2. SPECIAL TOPIC: HONOR FATHER AND MOTHER SPECIAL TOPIC: WOMEN IN THE BIBLE ▣ "he who speaks evil of father or mother" This is a quote from Exodus 21:17. Dishonor brought severe judgment. The rabbis had set this verse aside by means of their traditions. ▣ "Corban" This was a Greek transliteration of the Hebrew (not Aramaic) "gift" given to God (i.e., or to the temple, cf. NKJV). Jesus shows one example of how the Jewish religionists of His day circumvented the intent and stated laws of the OT by their Oral Traditions. They had cleverly devised many loopholes in their Oral Traditions (cf. Matt. 5:33-34; 23:16-22). SPECIAL TOPIC: CURSE (OT)
Marcos 7:14-16
7:14 "He called the crowd to Him again" Jesus publicly exposed the hypocrisy of the scribes and their traditions. The NKJV has the term panta (i.e., all) instead of palin (i.e., again). ▣ "Listen. . .understand" These are both AORIST ACTIVE IMPERATIVES. This phrase introduces an important and shocking example. 7:15 This is a classical example of Jesus reinterpreting the OT (cf. Matt. 5:17-48). He is nullifying the food code of Leviticus 11 (see SPECIAL TOPIC: OT FOOD LAWS). This was a powerful way of asserting His authority (i.e., He could change or negate the OT, but they could not, cf. Matt. 5:17-19 vs. 20-48). Jesus is Lord of Scripture. He is God's ultimate and complete revelation! This also should be a word of warning to those who make a religious matter out of food and drink (cf. Rom. 14:13-23; 1 Cor. 8:1-13; 10:23-33). Jesus' words reveal the distinctive freedom of the New Covenant (cf. Romans 14:1-15:13; 1 Corinthians 8-10). 7:16 This verse was included in many Greek uncial manuscripts (A, D, K, W, θ), the Diatessaron, and the Greek texts used by Augustine (cf. NKJV and NJB). However, it was omitted in MSS א, B, and L. It was possibly a scribal addition from Mark 4:9 or 23. The NASB (1995 Update) includes it in brackets to show that there is some doubt that it is original. The USB 4 rates its omission as "A" (certain). SPECIAL TOPIC: TEXTUAL CRITICISM
Marcos 7:17-23
7:17 "His disciples questioned Him" Matthew 15:15 says Peter. Jesus' words were so shocking to these Jewish disciples of the first century! Jesus was cancelling Moses! Who was this unofficial rabbi claiming to be? 7:18 "Are you so lacking in understanding also" Jesus marveled at the disciples' slowness to comprehend. His message was so different from what they had heard all their lives (i.e., Pharisaic theology). Tradition is hard to correct (cf. Mark 4:13,40; 6:52; 8:21). Trusting Jesus as the promised Messiah meant a radical break with their cherished traditions and cultural expectations. The "Living Word" supercedes the "written word"! Believers worship Jesus, not the Bible. Usually commentators say that Jesus rejected the oral tradition of the Jews, but always affirmed the OT laws. However, this rejection of the food laws and His rejection of Moses' teaching on divorce in Matt. 5:31-32 (cf. Mark 10:2-12) clearly shows that Jesus saw Himself as the proper interpreter and even Lord over the OT (cf. Matt. 5:38-39). He is God's ultimate revelation. None of us who cherish the Bible feel comfortable with this. We see the Bible as authoritative and relevant. However, how many other OT texts did Jesus see as not clearly revealing the Father's intent? This not only shocked the scribes, to an extent it shocks me! It reminds me that the OT is not mandatory for NT believers (cf. Acts 15; Galatians 3; the book of Hebrews). It surely is Scripture and it surely reveals God, but I am not bound by its rituals or procedures (cf. Acts 15:6-11,19). I am bound by its world view and revelation of God and His purposes and promises (cf. Matt. 5:17-20)! SPECIAL TOPIC: JESUS IS GREATER THAN. . . 7:19 NASB, NRSV "(Thus He declared all foods clean)" NKJV, Peshitta "thus purifying all foods" "(. . .Jesus declared that all foods are fit to be eaten" "(Thus he pronounced all food clean)" The parentheses reflect the translators' view that it is an editorial comment (probably from Peter's experience in Acts 10). It is such an important NT truth (cf. Rom. 14:13-23; 1 Cor. 8:1-13; 10:23-33). Humans are not right with God based on what they eat or do not eat! The new covenant is not based on OT regulations (i.e., Leviticus 11; Acts 15). God looks at the heart, not the stomach! SPECIAL TOPIC: OT FOOD LAWS 7:20 The rabbis said that the mind was a fertile, prepared seed bed and that the eyes and ears are the windows of the soul. Whatever one allows to enter, and dwells on, takes root. Sin begins in the thought life and develops into actions. Human speech reveals the heart! SPECIAL TOPIC: HUMAN SPEECH 7:21 "out of the heart of men" Jesus lists a series of sinful attitudes and actions. These same types of sins were condemned by the Stoics. Paul also has several lists of sins like this one (cf. Rom. 1:29-31; 1 Cor. 5:11; 6:9; 2 Cor. 12:20; Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 4:31; 5:3-4; Col. 3:5-9; 2 Tim. 3:2-5). SPECIAL TOPIC: VICES AND VIRTUES SPECIAL TOPIC: HEART ▣ "fornications" The English word "pornography" shares the same root word as this Greek term. It meant any inappropriate sexual activity: premarital sex, extra-marital sex, homosexuality, bestiality, and even a refusal of Levirate responsibilities (a brother failing to sexually relate to the widow of a deceased brother in order to provide an heir). In the OT there was a distinction between marital infidelity (adultery) and pre-marital promiscuity (fornication). However, this distinction is lost by the NT period. SPECIAL TOPIC: HUMAN SEXUALITY SPECIAL TOPIC: HOMOSEXUALITY ▣ "murder. . .deeds of coveting. . .deceit. . .pride" These same terms describe the pagan world in Rom. 1:29-31. They show a heart out of control, a heart bent on "more for self at any cost." SPECIAL TOPIC: THE TEN COMMANDMENTS ▣ "adulteries" This is the word moicheia, which refers to extra-marital sexual relations (cf. 1 Cor. 6:9-10). It came to be used as imagery for idolatry. In the OT YHWH was the husband and Israel was the wife; therefore, going after other gods was a form of spiritual infidelity. ▣ "sensuality" This is used in Rom. 13:13 to show how believers should not live. In Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament Based on Semantic Domains, vol. 1, p. 771, Louw and Nida define this term as "behavior completely lacking in moral restraint, usually with the implication of sexual licentiousness." Notice how many of these terms imply an uncontrolled sexuality, so characteristic of pagan culture of the first century. 7:22 The order of this list of sins changes from translation to translation. In summary, life apart from God is out of bounds! Paul's list in Gal. 5:19-21 describes the evil and the list in Gal. 5:22-23 describes the godly. ▣ "coveting" See SPECIAL TOPIC: COVETING NASB, NRSV, NJB "envy" "an evil age" "jealousy" "an evil eye" This is literally "an evil eye" (cf. NASB marginal note). In the Near East people were very conscious of someone putting a hex on them (i.e., active evil). In Hebrew it has the connotation of self-centered jealousy (cf. Deut. 15:9; Prov. 23:6). NASB, NRSV, TEV, NJB "slander" NKJV, Peshitta "blasphemy" The term is literally "blasphemy," which denoted saying something about someone that was not true. It can be used of slander or falsehoods about God or humans (cf. Acts 6:11; Rom. 2:24). SPECIAL TOPIC: HUMAN SPEECH ▣ "pride" This refers to a haughty, contemptuous, or proud person (cf. Luke 1:51; Rom. 1:30; 2 Tim. 3:2; James 4:6; 1 Pet. 5:5). 7:23 The parallel in Matt. 15:20 summarizes the whole argument (cf. 1 Sam. 16:7).
Marcos 7:24-30
7:24 "Tyre" This city was northwest of the Sea of Galilee on the Mediterranean coast, out of the boundaries of the OT Promised Land. It was predominately a Gentile area. The phrase "and Sidon" is missing in a few ancient Greek manuscripts, such as D, L, and W, but is present in Matt. 15:21 and Mark 7:31 and in manuscripts א, A, and B, as well as the Vulgate and Peshitta. Tyre and Sidon were the largest cities in the Phoenician nation. ▣ "yet He could not escape notice" This was the result of His miracles (cf. Mark 3:8). Even in a predominately Gentile area He could find no rest and private time with His disciples. 7:25 "little daughter had an unclean spirit" How children become demon possessed is not stated here nor in the account in Mark 9:17-29. In neither of these cases does it seem to be a familial spirit (i.e., demon passed from generation to generation within a family). There is so much we moderns do not understand about this reality SPECIAL TOPIC: EXORCISM SPECIAL TOPIC: DEMONIC (UNCLEAN SPIRITS) ▣ "fell at His feet" This was a cultural sign of asking a request of a superior humility It is possible that she had heard of Jesus' miracles and, out of desperation, approached this itinerant Jewish rabbi in fear! 7:26 "a Gentile, of the Syrophoenician race" Remember, Jesus helped other Gentiles (cf. Mark 5:1; 11:17; Matt. 8:5-13; John 4), but within the geographical boundaries of the Promised Land. If Jesus had begun a healing ministry in a Gentile land, He would have been rejected by the Jewish populace because of their racial, religious prejudices. There is an interesting parallel between Jesus' ministry to a Phoenician woman and Elijah's ministry to a Phoenician woman in 1 Kgs. 17. In both God's love, concern, and help are available to the hated Gentiles. This may have been another veiled evidence of His Messiahship. In what language was this interchange between the woman and Jesus conducted? It would seem obvious that it had to have been Greek. Growing up in northern Palestine Jesus would have been tri-lingual. In Luke 4:16-20 Jesus reads from a Hebrew scroll of Isaiah. He would have been exposed to biblical Hebrew at synagogue school. He normally spoke Aramaic. He could speak Koine Greek (i.e., the private conversation with Pilate). SPECIAL TOPIC: RACISM ▣ "she kept asking" This is an IMPERFECT TENSE. She asked repeatedly! ▣ "to cast the demon out" This is AORIST ACTIVE SUBJUNCTIVE. She still had some doubts about Jesus' ability or willingness to act, which is expressed by the SUBJUNCTIVE MOOD. SPECIAL TOPIC: EXORCISM 7:27 "the children" This familial term refers to Israel (cf. Matt. 15:24). 7:27-28 NASB, NRSV, TEV, Peshitta, REB "the dogs" NKJV, NJB "little dogs" This is the only use of this term in the NT. Its harshness is diminished by the fact that it is DIMINUTIVE in form (i.e., kunarion), "puppies" (NJB has "house-dogs"). The Jews called the Gentiles "dogs" as a term of derision. This dialogue was intended to help the disciples overcome their prejudice against Gentiles (cf. Matt. 15:23). Jesus recognized and publicly affirmed that her faith was great (cf. Matt. 15:28). 7:28 "Lord" This is probably used in the cultural sense of "sir" or "mister," as in John 4:11. This is surprisingly the only example of the use of kurios spoken to Jesus in Mark's Gospel. SPECIAL TOPIC: LORD (adon and kurios) ▣ "the children's" This is literally "little children" (paidion). There are several diminutive forms found in this context. In Word Pictures in the New Testament, vol. 1, p. 326, A. T. Robertson says "the little children purposely dropped a few little crumbs for the dog." One wishes that Jesus' voice inflection, facial expressions, and body language could have been recorded. I think the encounter was much more positive than mere words can record. ▣ "children's crumbs" The wealthy used bread to wipe the hands after eating, like a napkin. 7:29 "Because of this answer" Jesus was impressed with this mother's attitude of persistence and faith (cf. Matt. 15:28). Jesus healed/delivered people based on the faith of another several times (cf. Mark 2:3-12; 9:14-29; Matt. 8:5-13). ▣ "go; the demon has gone out of your daughter" This woman believed Jesus that He could expel the demons even from a distance with no ritual or magic. SPECIAL TOPIC: DEMONIC IN THE NT 7:29,30 "has gone" In Mark 7:29 it is a PERFECT ACTIVE INDICATIVE and in Mark 7:30 it is a PERFECT ACTIVE PARTICIPLE, which focus on the abiding result of a past act. The demon was gone and would stay away. 7:30 "lying on the bed" This is a PERFECT ACTIVE PARTICIPLE which could be understood in two ways: the demon had violently left (cf. Mark 1:26; 9:26) and thrown the little girl on the bed her demoniac condition had caused her to be bedridden
Marcos 7:31-37
7:31 This geographical description is unusual. Sidon was north of Tyre on the coast, while the Decapolis was south and east of the Sea of Galilee. The NKJV has "departing from the region of Tyre and Sidon," but this translation is not supported by P 45 , A, W, and the Peshitta. Most textual critics support the more difficult text which takes Jesus north and east before going south. ▣ "Sea of Galilee" This same body of water is called Chennereth in the OT Lake of Gennesaret in Luke 5:1 Sea of Tiberias during the first century Roman period in John 6:1; 21:1 ▣ "region of Decapolis" This was the area of the Gedarene Demoniac (cf. Mark 5:1-20). It was also a Gentile area to the east and south of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus' ministry in these areas shows His love for the Gentiles. 7:32 "was deaf and spoke with difficulty" This term is used only here in the NT and in the Septuagint in Isa. 35:6. Mark 7:37 may relate to Isa. 35:5-6, which describes the future healing ministry of the Messiah. ▣ "to lay His hand on him" See SPECIAL TOPIC: LAYING ON OF HANDS IN THE BIBLE 7:33 "took him aside from the crowd" This was both to stop the stories about His healing and to make the man feel more at ease (cf. Mark 8:23). ▣ "put His fingers into his ears" Jesus was communicating to the man what He was trying to do in culturally acceptable physical gestures (i.e., a finger in the ear and saliva on the tongue). ▣ "He touched his tongue with the saliva" Saliva was commonly used medicinally in the first century Mediterranean world. It was meant to increase the man's faith. 7:34 "and looking up to heaven" This was the standard physical posture for Jewish prayer in Jesus' day (i.e., standing, eyes open, head raised, hands raised), which denoted prayer as a conversation with God. SPECIAL TOPIC: HEAVEN ▣ "with a deep sigh" This refers to an inarticulate sound that expresses strong emotion (cf. Rom. 4; 8:22-23; 2 Cor. 5:12). Whether it is positive (cf. Mark 7:34; Rom. 8:26) or negative (cf. Acts 7:34; James 5:9) depends on the literary context. This may have revealed Jesus' grief over sin and sickness in a world devastated by rebellion. A compound form of this term appears in Mark 8:12. ▣ "Ephphatha" This is an Aramaic AORIST PASSIVE IMPERATIVE, meaning "be opened" (and they were, cf. Mark 7:35). Peter remembered the very Aramaic words which Jesus spoke and Mark translated it into Greek for his Gentile (i.e., Roman) readers. See note at Mark 5:41. 7:36 "He gave them orders not to tell anyone" The reason for this was that the gospel was not yet complete. Jesus did not want to be known as a miracle worker. The press of the crowds was already a problem. This "Messianic Secret" is characteristic of Mark. However, it is surprising because Jesus does so many acts and says such revealing things about Himself in Mark. Jesus clearly reveals Himself as Messiah and fulfills current Jewish expectations to those who had spiritual eyes to see! 7:37 Healing the deaf was a clear Messianic sign (cf. Isa. 35:5-6). ▣ "He has done all things well" This is a PERFECT ACTIVE INDICATIVE. What a summary statement made by the people of northern Palestine!