Mark 7

The Pharisees and the Scribes blame the disciples of Christ that they did eat with unwashen hands 1 whom Christ defends and reproves the Pharisees hypocrisy in their external washing 6and rejects their humane institution especially in he exposition of the fifth commandment 9 teacheth what doth properly defile man what not 14 cast out a devil out of the daughter of a woman of syrophanicia 24 healeth one deaf and dumb 31and is much praised for it 37.

1. And there gathered unto him the Pharisees and some of the Scribes which were come from Jerusalem [namely of the ablest and bitterest sent forth from Jerusalem for that purpose to observe his doctrine and works and to carp at them and to make the people suspect the same]

2. And seeing that some of his disciples did eat bread [that is meat] with unclean that is unwashed hands [Gr common so that which is unclean or unholy is called throughout see Acts 10:14 for the Pharisees were unclean or unholy until they washed again which Christ here reproveth not to tax or find fault with the civil custome of washing the hands before meat but to convince them of their superstition and hypocrisy] they found fault with them [or complained thereof]

3. For the Pharisees eat not without washing first hands often [or with the fist as they that will wash their hands very clean used to rub the hands with the fist and carefully or up to the elbow as some report the Jews custome was to do] holding the institution [Gr holding fast or laying hold on the tradition] of the ancient [or of the elders.]

4. And coming from the market [because there they dealt with all sort of men gentiles and others and touched many other things whereby they held themselves defiled] they eat not except they be first washed [Gr baptized which signifie both to dip into the water and also to wash of and whence the holy baptism hath its denomination]and many other things there be which they have received to hold namely the washing of drinking cups and pots [the Greek word xestes signifies the sixth part of courteous about a Dutch pinte and half] and brazon vessels and beds [that is bed-sted or the side of the bed where on the ancient lean on at the table for to eat instead of our sitting.]

5. Afterwards the Scribes and the Pharisees asked him wherefore do not thy disciples walk [that is an Hebrew phrase as Psalms 1:1 and through out] after the institution of the ancient [or of he elders] but eat bread with unwashen hands?

6. But he answered and said unto them well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites [of this whole answer see the annotations on Matthew 15.7c.] as it is written these people honoureth me with lives but their hearts keeps itself far from me .[or is far from me.]

7. But in vain [that fruitlessly seeing such service is acceptable to the Lord] do they honor [or worship] me teaching doctrines which are commandments of men.

8. For neglecting the command of God ye hold the institution of men as namely the washing of pots and cups and many other such like thing ye do.

9. And he said unto them ye do well sure disannul the commandment of God for to keep or maintain your institution.

10. For Moses said honor thy father and thy mother and whoso curseth father and mother [that is falls upon them with evil words revealing them or threatening them] he shall die the death.

11. But ye say if a man say to father or mother it is corban that is to say a gift if by ought from me thou mightiest profit the same satisfieth [or barely corban that is the gift offered by me shall be profitable to thee see hereof the annotations on Matthew 15:5 or let it be corban that which from me might be profitable to thee.

12. And ye suffer him no more to do any thing of his father and his mother.

13. Making thus the word of God of no force [Gr rejecting or depriving it of its esteem or force] by your institution which ye have instituted and many such like things ye do.

14. And having called the whole multitude unto him he said unto them hear me all of ye and understand.

15. There is nothing from without the men [namely of meat or drink being used moderately and with thanksgiving 1 Timothy 4:4] entering into him which can defile him [Gr make him common] but the things which go out of him they are which defile the man.

16. If any man have ears to hear let him hear [see Matthew 11:15]

17. And when he was come into the house from multitude his disciples asked him concerning the similitude [Gr parable which word signifies not only a similitude but also some special doctrine or proverb.

18. And he said unto them are ye also thus ignorant? Do ye not understand that all from without enters into men cannot defile him?

19. For it enters into the heart but into the belly and goes out the privy purging of all meats [that is that which is unfit for nourishment is cast out through that as unclean and the remaining food is purged thereby]

20. And he said that which goeth forth out the man the defiles the man.

21. For from within out of the heart of man come forth evil thoughts [or reasoning devices or excommunication] adultery fornication murderer.

22. Theft, covetousness [or desires to always have more and more] wickedness, deceit, immodesty,[or wantonness lasciviousness] an evekeye [that is envy or ill will see Matthew 20:15] reviling or blasphemy pride want of understanding [or foolishness, indiscretion.]

23. All these evil things come forth from within [that is have their spring in heart and afterward accomplished outwardly see James 1:15] and defile the men.

24. And arising from thence he went away from the borders of Tyre and Sidon [that is thereabouts for Christ it seems never preached himself in cities of Gentiles see verse 27,31 Matthew 15:24]and being gone into a house he would not that any knew it and not withstanding he could not be hid.

25. For a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit having heard of him came and fell down at his feet.

26. Now this was a Grecian woman [that is gentile and heathenish as the Jew and Greeks are very where opposed one another] by birth [that is by discent] out of syrophenicia [for Tyres and Sidon were situate in phonicia which was a part of Syria lying on the mid-land sea] and she besought him he would cast out the devil out of her daughter.

27. But Jesus said unto her let the children first be satisfied for it is not seemly [Gr seemly fair or good] that the children’s bread be taken and cast before the little dogs [see Matthew 15:26]

28. But she answered and said unto him yea Lord yet the dogs also eat under the table of the children’s crams.

29. And he said unto her for this word sake [namely whereby thou hast testified thy faith and trust in me] go thy way the devil is gone forth out of thy daughter.

30. And she came into her house she found that the devil was gone forth and the daughter lying [Gr cast] upon the bed.

31. And he being departed again from the borders of the Tyre and Sidon came to the Sea of Galilee through the midst of the borders Decapolis [see of the country Matthew 4:25]

32. And they brought unto him one that was deaf who spake heavily and they besought him that he would lay a hand upon him [namely to cure him seeing he was wont to do it with laying on his hands by touching and other outwards gestures]

33. And having taken him apart from he multitude he put his fingers into his ears these signs Christ used because there is some resemblance between them and the power of God in the boring thorow of ears and loosing of the tongue ]and having spit he touched his tongue .

34. And looking up towards heaven [namely to pray to his father as may be seen John 11:41] he sighed [namely out of compassion on humane miseries of which this man was a present spectacle] and said unto him Ephaphatha that is be opened.

35. And straightway his ears wee opened and the bond of his tongue was loosened and he spake aright.

36. And he commanded them that they should tell it to no man [the reason hereof see Matthew 12:16] but however he commanded them they published it so much the more [Gr the more abundantly]

37. And they were astonished exceedingly saying he hath done all things well and he maketh the deaf to hear and the dumb to speak.