Mark 7:7
Mark 7:7 in Multiple Translations
They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’
Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
But in vain do they worship me, Teaching as their doctrines the precepts of men.
But their worship is to no purpose, while they give as their teaching the rules of men.
There's no point in their worship of me, for what they teach as doctrines are merely human rules.’
But they worship me in vaine, teaching for doctrines the commandements of men.
and in vain do they worship Me, teaching teachings, commands of men;
They worship me in vain, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’
But, in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
And in vain to they worship me, teaching doctrines and precepts of men.
It is useless for them to worship me, because they teach only what people have commanded as if I myself had commanded them.
They have ceremonies for me, but, really, they rubbish me. You see, they teach rules that men made up themselves, and they tell everybody that those rules come from God.’
Berean Amplified Bible — Mark 7:7
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Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Mark 7:7 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Greek Word Reference — Mark 7:7
Study Notes — Mark 7:7
Context — The Tradition of the Elders
7They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’
8You have disregarded the commandment of God to keep the tradition of men. ” 9He went on to say, “You neatly set aside the command of God to maintain your own tradition.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 29:13 | Therefore the Lord said: “These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is but rules taught by men. |
| 2 | Matthew 15:9 | They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’ ” |
| 3 | James 1:26 | If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless. |
| 4 | Colossians 2:22 | These will all perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. |
| 5 | Matthew 6:7 | And when you pray, do not babble on like pagans, for they think that by their many words they will be heard. |
| 6 | 1 Timothy 4:1–3 | Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons, influenced by the hypocrisy of liars, whose consciences are seared with a hot iron. They will prohibit marriage and require abstinence from certain foods that God has created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. |
| 7 | Titus 3:9 | But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, arguments, and quarrels about the law, because these things are pointless and worthless. |
| 8 | 1 Samuel 12:21 | Do not turn aside after worthless things that cannot profit you or deliver you, for they are empty. |
| 9 | Revelation 22:18 | I testify to everyone who hears the words of prophecy in this book: If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. |
| 10 | Revelation 14:11–12 | And the smoke of their torment rises forever and ever. Day and night there is no rest for those who worship the beast and its image, or for anyone who receives the mark of its name.” Here is a call for the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. |
Mark 7:7 Summary
[Jesus is saying that if we prioritize human traditions over God's commands, our worship is empty and meaningless. This is because God wants us to worship Him with our hearts, not just our words or actions (Matthew 15:8-9). We need to make sure that our worship is genuine and focused on God, rather than just following rules or traditions. By studying the Bible and following God's commands, we can ensure that our worship is real and pleasing to God (John 4:24).]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Jesus mean by 'they worship Me in vain'?
Jesus is saying that the Pharisees' worship is empty and meaningless because it is based on human traditions rather than a genuine relationship with God, as seen in Isaiah 29:13 (which Jesus quotes in Mark 7:6-7).
How can we avoid teaching 'the precepts of men' as doctrine?
We can avoid this by carefully studying the Bible, such as in Acts 17:11, and ensuring that our teachings are grounded in Scripture, rather than human traditions or opinions.
Is Jesus saying that all tradition is bad?
No, Jesus is not saying that all tradition is bad, but rather that human traditions should not be elevated to the same level as God's commandments, as seen in Matthew 15:3-6.
How can we ensure that our worship is not 'in vain'?
We can ensure that our worship is genuine by focusing on God's commands and teachings, such as in John 4:24, and by examining our hearts and motives, as in 1 Corinthians 13:1-3.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I may be prioritizing human traditions over God's commands in my own life?
- How can I ensure that my worship is heartfelt and genuine, rather than just going through the motions?
- What are some 'precepts of men' that I may be teaching or following, and how can I align my beliefs and practices with Scripture?
- In what ways can I prioritize a personal relationship with God over external forms of worship or tradition?
Gill's Exposition on Mark 7:7
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Mark 7:7
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Mark 7:7
Trapp's Commentary on Mark 7:7
Ellicott's Commentary on Mark 7:7
Sermons on Mark 7:7
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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A Faith That Can Be Kept by Phillips Brooks | Phillips Brooks emphasizes the importance of genuine faith rooted in God's truth, contrasting it with superficial beliefs based on human opinions and doctrines. He highlights the n |
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Marriage of Clergy by J.H. Newman | J.H. Newman preaches about the lack of command by God's law for Bishops, Priests, and Deacons to vow the estate of single life or abstain from marriage. The observance of clerical |
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Life Story of Keith Green - Part 2 by Melody Green | In the sermon transcripts, Keith shares his burden for revival and the need for more people to come forward and experience a true transformation in their faith. He emphasizes the i |
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K-053 Come Up and Be There by Art Katz | In this sermon, the preacher reflects on the power and wealth of the world compared to the power and reality found in the Word of God. He shares a personal experience of a ten-day |
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(In the Word) 06 - Hearing the Word of God by Milton Green | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of following the Word of God rather than the traditions of men. They urge the listeners to listen to all the tapes in the seri |
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Heart Surrender by Steve Gallagher | In this sermon, the speaker addresses the issue of people honoring God with their words and outward actions, but neglecting to keep their hearts close to Him. He criticizes the pre |
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Necessity of Reforming the Church 3 of 4 (1544) by John Calvin | In this sermon, the speaker addresses the primacy of the Romish sea, which refers to the authority of the Roman Catholic Church. The speaker acknowledges that the adversaries of th |







