◄ Mark 7:9 ►
He went on to say, "You neatly set aside the command of God to maintain your own tradition.
Study Bible
He went on to say,

This phrase indicates that Jesus is continuing a discourse, likely addressing the Pharisees and scribes. In the context of Mark 7, Jesus is responding to their criticism of His disciples for not following traditional handwashing rituals. This setting is significant as it highlights the tension between Jesus and the religious leaders of His time.

Mat 15:3 Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God…
Mat 15:6 he need not honor his father or mother with it.…
Isa 29:13 Therefore the Lord said: “These people draw near to Me…

“You neatly set aside the command of God

Here, Jesus accuses the religious leaders of prioritizing human traditions over divine commandments. This reflects a broader theme in the Gospels where Jesus challenges the legalism and hypocrisy of the Pharisees. The "command of God" refers to the Mosaic Law, which was given to guide the Israelites in their covenant relationship with God. Jesus emphasizes the importance of adhering to God's commands rather than human interpretations or additions.

Deu 4:2 You must not add to or subtract from what I command you…
Deu 12:32 See that you do everything I command you;…
Pro 30:6 Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you…

to maintain your own tradition.

The "tradition" mentioned here refers to the oral laws and customs developed by Jewish leaders over centuries, which were not part of the original Torah. These traditions often became burdensome and overshadowed the core teachings of Scripture. Jesus criticizes the leaders for valuing these traditions over the true intent of God's law. This critique is consistent with other Gospel passages where Jesus calls for a return to the heart of God's commandments, such as in Matthew 23:23-24, where He emphasizes justice, mercy, and faithfulness over ritualistic practices.

Mat 15:9 They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine…
Col 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive…
Tit 1:14 will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the commands…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus Christ
The central figure in this passage, Jesus is addressing the Pharisees and scribes, challenging their adherence to human traditions over God's commandments.

2. Pharisees and Scribes
Religious leaders of the time who were known for their strict observance of the law and traditions. They are the recipients of Jesus' rebuke in this passage.

3. Tradition of the Elders
A body of oral laws and interpretations that the Pharisees and scribes held in high regard, often placing them on par with or above the written Law of Moses.

4. Command of God
Refers to the divine laws given through Moses, which Jesus emphasizes should take precedence over human traditions.

5. Jerusalem
While not directly mentioned in this verse, it is the central place of Jewish religious life and the location where many of these traditions were developed and enforced.
Teaching Points
Prioritizing God's Commandments
Believers are called to prioritize God's commandments over human traditions. This requires discernment and a commitment to Scripture as the ultimate authority.

The Danger of Hypocrisy
Jesus' rebuke of the Pharisees serves as a warning against hypocrisy. True worship involves aligning our hearts and actions with God's will, not just outward compliance.

Evaluating Traditions
While traditions can be valuable, they must be evaluated against Scripture. Believers should be cautious of traditions that contradict or overshadow biblical teachings.

Heart Over Ritual
God desires genuine devotion from the heart rather than mere ritualistic observance. Our worship should reflect an authentic relationship with God.

Scriptural Discernment
Christians are encouraged to study Scripture diligently to discern God's truth from human traditions, ensuring their faith and practice are rooted in biblical principles.
Bible Study Questions
1. How can we ensure that our personal and church traditions align with the teachings of Scripture?

2. In what ways might we be guilty of prioritizing human traditions over God's commandments in our own lives?

3. How does understanding the original context of Jesus' rebuke to the Pharisees help us apply this teaching today?

4. What steps can we take to guard against hypocrisy in our spiritual lives, ensuring our hearts are aligned with our actions?

5. How can we use Scripture to evaluate and, if necessary, reform traditions within our church or community?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Matthew 15:3-9
This parallel passage in Matthew provides additional context to Jesus' confrontation with the Pharisees, emphasizing the hypocrisy of valuing tradition over God's commandments.

Isaiah 29:13
Jesus quotes this Old Testament prophecy to highlight the issue of honoring God with lips while hearts are far from Him, underscoring the emptiness of mere ritualistic worship.

Colossians 2:8
Paul warns against being taken captive by human traditions and philosophies, echoing Jesus' teaching on the dangers of prioritizing human rules over divine truth.
Sermons
A HypocriteT. Manton.Mark 7:1-16
Ceremonialism and SpiritualityJ. R. Thomson, M. A.Mark 7:1-16
Ears to HearQuesnel.Mark 7:1-16
Faith and Works Reversed, or the Plant Upside DownSword and Trowel.Mark 7:1-16
Heart Worship RequiredC. H. Spurgeon.Mark 7:1-16
Human Tradition Versus Divine CommandR. Glover.Mark 7:1-16
Hypocrites Perform Small Duties and Neglect GreatC. H. Spurgeon.Mark 7:1-16
In What Sense Worship is VoluntaryBurkitt.Mark 7:1-16
Laying Aside the Commandment of GodBuck.Mark 7:1-16
Moses Commanded Washing Very FreelyR. Glover.Mark 7:1-16
Perverse PenancesC. H. Spurgeon.Mark 7:1-16
Perverted Tradition the Bane of the ChurchJ. Pratt, B. D.Mark 7:1-16
Pharisaic PrejudiceMark 7:1-16
Scribes and Pharisees Coming to ChristL. Palmer.Mark 7:1-16
The Inefficacy of God's Word -- How ProducedJ. Gordon.Mark 7:1-16
The Religion of the JewsExpository Discourses.Mark 7:1-16
The Tradition of MenMonday Club SermonsMark 7:1-16
The Tradition of Men Versus the Commandments of GodR. Green.Mark 7:1-16
The Tradition of the EldersMark 7:1-16
Tradition Accumulates RubbishMonday Club SermonsMark 7:1-16
Tradition and InspirationDr. Wylie.Mark 7:1-16
Tradition Conceals TruthMonday Club SermonsMark 7:1-16
Unwashen HandsGeikie's Life of Christ.Mark 7:1-16
Exposure of Pharisaism: its Errors and EvilsJ.J. Given Mark 7:1-23
Externalism Versus RighteousnessA.F. Muir Mark 7:1-23
The Ritual and the Reality of PurificationE. Johnson Mark 7:1-23
The Tradition of Men in Competition with the Commandments of GodR. Green Mark 7:1-23
People
Esaias, Isaiah, Jesus
Places
Decapolis, Galilee, Jerusalem, Sea of Galilee, Sidon, Tyre
Topics
Added, Aside, Command, Commandment, Commands, Delivered, Experts, Fine, Full, God's, Handed, Indeed, Law, Nought, Observe, Order, Praiseworthy, Reject, Rejecting, Rules, Saying, Setting, Tradition, Traditions, Truly, Yourselves
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Mark 7:9

     5818   contempt

Mark 7:1-9

     7478   washing

Mark 7:1-13

     5381   law, letter and spirit
     7540   Judaism

Mark 7:1-23

     7342   cleanliness
     8720   double-mindedness

Mark 7:5-13

     8444   honouring God

Mark 7:6-13

     8774   legalism

Mark 7:7-9

     8316   orthodoxy, in NT

Mark 7:8-9

     8405   commands, in NT

Mark 7:9-13

     5325   gifts
     5349   injustice, examples
     5588   traditions
     7402   offerings

Library
The Pattern of Service
'He touched his tongue; and looking up to heaven, He sighed, and saith Ephphatha, that is, Be opened.'--Mark vii 33, 34. For what reason was there this unwonted slowness in Christ's healing works? For what reason was there this unusual emotion ere He spoke the word which cleansed? As to the former question, a partial answer may perhaps be that our Lord is here on half-heathen ground, where aids to faith were much needed, and His power had to be veiled that it might be beheld. Hence the miracle is …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Children and Little Dogs
'And 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. 25. For a certain woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of Him, and came and fell at His feet: 26. The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought Him that He would cast forth the devil out of her daughter. 87. But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Influence of Tradition.
"Making the word of God of none effect through your traditions: and many such like things ye do."--ST. MARK vii. 13. Such was our Lord's word to the Pharisees; and if we turn to our own life it is difficult if not impossible for us fully to estimate the influence which traditions exercise upon it. They are so woven into the web of thought and opinion, and daily habits and practices, that none of us can claim to escape them. Moreover, as any institution or society grows older, this influence of the …
John Percival—Sermons at Rugby

Second Sermon for the Twelfth Sunday after Trinity
(From the Gospel for the day) This sermon tells us how a man who truly loves God, whose ears have been opened to receive the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit, is neither lifted up in joy nor cast down in sorrow. Mark vii. 37.--"He hath done all things well: He maketh both the deaf to hear and the dumb to speak." WE read in the Gospel for this day, that as our blessed Lord was going from one place to another, they brought unto Him a man who was born deaf and dumb; as must needs be; for he who is …
Susannah Winkworth—The History and Life of the Reverend Doctor John Tauler

Deaf Ears and Stammering Tongues.
(Twelfth Sunday after Trinity.) S. MARK vii. 37. "He hath done all things well. He maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak." Such was the verdict of the people who saw one of our Lord's miracles. How far more strongly may we say the same, having seen the work of Christ in the life of the Church at large, and in each of our individual souls! We cannot look on the world of nature without echoing the words of the text. No thoughtful man can mark the spring-time coming to the woods and …
H. J. Wilmot-Buxton—The Life of Duty, a Year's Plain Sermons, v. 2

Perfection to be Sought.
12th Sunday after Trinity. S. Mark vii., 37. "He hath done all things well." INTRODUCTION.--It was said by an old heathen writer that God cares for Adverbs rather than for Substantives. That is to say, God had rather have things done well, than that the things should be merely done. He had rather have you pray earnestly than pray, communicate piously than merely communicate, forgive your enemies heartily than say you forgive, work diligently than spend so many hours at work, do your duty thoroughly …
S. Baring-Gould—The Village Pulpit, Volume II. Trinity to Advent

The Sighs of Christ
(Twelfth Sunday after Trinity.) Mark vii. 34, 35. And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened. And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain. Why did the Lord Jesus look up to heaven? And why, too, did he sigh? He looked up to heaven, we may believe, because he looked to God the Father; to God, of whom the glorious collect tells us, that he is more ready to hear than we to pray, and is wont to give more …
Charles Kingsley—Town and Country Sermons

The Deaf and Dumb.
ST MARK VII. 32-37. And they bring unto Jesus one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech Him to put His hand upon him. And He took him aside from the multitude, and put His fingers into his ears, and He spit, and touched his tongue; and looking up to heaven, He sighed, and said, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened. And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain. . . . And they were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath …
Charles Kingsley—Westminster Sermons

Things which Defile
"And He called to Him the multitude again, and said unto them, Hear Me all of you, and understand: there is nothing from without the man, that going into him can defile him: but the things which proceed out of the man are those that defile the man. And when He was entered into the house from the multitude, His disciples asked of Him the parable. And He saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Perceive ye not, that whatsoever from without goeth into the man, it cannot defile him; because …
G. A. Chadwick—The Gospel of St. Mark

The Children and the Dogs
"And from thence He arose, and went away into the borders of Tyre and Sidon. And He entered into a house, and would have no man know it; and He could not be hid. But straightway a woman, whose little daughter had an unclean spirit, having heard of Him, came and fell down at His feet. Now the woman was a Greek, a Syrophoenician by race. And she besought Him that He would cast forth the devil out of her daughter. And He said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the …
G. A. Chadwick—The Gospel of St. Mark

The Deaf and Dumb Man
"And again He went out from the borders of Tyre, and came through Sidon unto the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the borders of Decapolis. And they bring unto Him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech Him to lay His hand upon him. And He took him aside from the multitude privately, and put His fingers into his ears, and He spat, and touched his tongue; and looking up to heaven, He sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened. And his ears were …
G. A. Chadwick—The Gospel of St. Mark

The Law.
ITS NATURE AND EFFECTS. THE law is the chief and most pure resemblance of the justice and holiness of the heavenly Majesty, and doth hold forth to all men the sharpness and keenness of his wrath. This is the rule and line and plummet whereby every act of every man shall be measured; and he whose righteousness is not found every way answerable to this law, which all will fall short of but they that have the righteousness of God by faith in Jesus Christ, he must perish. The law is spiritual, I am carnal. …
John Bunyan—The Riches of Bunyan

Protesting Our Innocence?
We have all become so used to condemning the proud self-righteous attitude of the Pharisee in the parable of the Pharisee and the Publican,[footnote1:Luke 18:9-14] that we can hardly believe that the picture of him there is meant to apply to us--which only shows how much like him we really are. The Sunday School teacher was never so much a Pharisee, as when she finished her lesson on this parable with the words, "And now, children, we can thank God that we are not as this Pharisee!" In particular …
Roy Hession and Revel Hession—The Calvary Road

Second Withdrawal from Herod's Territory.
^A Matt. XV. 21; ^B Mark VII. 24. ^b 24 And from thence ^a Jesus ^b arose, and went ^a out ^b away ^a and withdrew into the parts { ^b borders} of Tyre and Sidon. [The journey here is indicated in marked terms because it differs from any previously recorded, for it was the first time that Jesus ever entered a foreign or heathen country. Some commentators contend from the use of the word "borders" by Mark that Jesus did not cross over the boundary, but the point is not well taken, for Mark vii. 31 …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Another Avoiding of Herod's Territory.
^A Matt. XV. 29; ^B Mark VII. 31. ^b 31 And ^a Jesus ^b again went out. ^a And departed thence, ^b from the borders of Tyre, and came through Sidon, ^a and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; ^b through the midst of the borders of Decapolis. ^a and he went up into a mountain, and sat down there. [From Tyre Jesus proceeded northward to Sidon and thence eastward across the mountains and the headwaters of the Jordan to the neighborhood of Damascus. Here he turned southward and approached the Sea of Galilee …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Jesus Fails to Attend the Third Passover.
Scribes Reproach Him for Disregarding Tradition. (Galilee, Probably Capernaum, Spring a.d. 29.) ^A Matt. XV. 1-20; ^B Mark VII. 1-23; ^D John VII. 1. ^d 1 And after these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Judæa, because the Jews sought to kill him. [John told us in his last chapter that the passover was near at hand. He here makes a general statement which shows that Jesus did not attend this passover. The reason for his absence is given at John v. 18.] ^a 1 Then there …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Healing a Phoenician Woman's Daughter.
(Region of Tyre and Sidon.) ^A Matt. XV. 22-28; ^B Mark VII. 24-30. ^b And he entered into a house, and would have no man know it [Jesus sought concealment for the purposes noted in the last section. He also, no doubt, desired an opportunity to impact private instruction to the twelve]; and he could not be hid. [The fame of Jesus had spread far and wide, and he and his disciples were too well known to escape the notice of any who had seen them or heard them described.] 25 But { ^a 22 And} behold, …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Deaf Stammerer Healed and Four Thousand Fed.
^A Matt. XV. 30-39; ^B Mark VII. 32-VIII. 9. ^b 32 And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech [The man had evidently learned to speak before he lost his hearing. Some think that defective hearing had caused the impediment in his speech, but verse 35 suggests that he was tongue-tied]; and they beseech him to put his hand upon him. 33 And he took him aside from the multitude privately, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat, and touched his tongue [He separated …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Cavils of the Pharisees Concerning Purification, and the Teaching of the Lord Concerning Purity - the Traditions Concerning Hand-Washing' and Vows. '
As we follow the narrative, confirmatory evidence of what had preceded springs up at almost every step. It is quite in accordance with the abrupt departure of Jesus from Capernaum, and its motives, that when, so far from finding rest and privacy at Bethsaida (east of the Jordan), a greater multitude than ever had there gathered around Him, which would fain have proclaimed Him King, He resolved on immediate return to the western shore, with the view of seeking a quieter retreat, even though it were …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Jesus and the Syro-Phoenician Woman
THE purpose of Christ to withdraw His disciples from the excitement of Galilee, and from what might follow the execution of the Baptist, had been interrupted by the events at Bethsaida-Julias, but it was not changed. On the contrary, it must have been intensified. That wild, popular outburst, which had almost forced upon Him a Jewish Messiah-Kingship; the discussion with the Jerusalem Scribes about the washing of hands on the following day; the Discourses of the Sabbath, and the spreading disaffection, …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

A Group of Miracles among a Semi-Heathen Population
If even the brief stay of Jesus in that friendly Jewish home by the borders of Tyre could not remain unknown, the fame of the healing of the Syro-Phoenician maiden would soon have rendered impossible that privacy and retirement, which had been the chief object of His leaving Capernaum. Accordingly, when the two Paschal days were ended, He resumed His journey, extending it far beyond any previously undertaken, perhaps beyond what had been originally intended. The borders of Palestine proper, though …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

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