Mark 7 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 7:9-16 – Invalidating God’s Word

Mark 7:9-16 – Invalidating God’s Word

|| Matthew 15:1-9[1]

MK7:9 Continuing, Jesus said to them: “Skillfully you [Jews] set aside God’s commandments to keep your own tradition! MK7:10 For Moses said: ‘Honor[2] your father and mother.’ [Exodus 20:12] And, ‘Whoever speaks badly of[3] father or mother, let them be put to death.’ [Exodus 21:17] MK7:11 But, all of you say, ‘If a person tells father or mother: “Whatever I possess which might benefit you is corban”’[4] (that is, ‘a gift [dedicated to God]’) MK7:12 – you [Jews] do nothing to help your father or mother! MK7:13 Thus, you invalidate[5] the Word of the God because of your tradition handed down to you, as well as many other similar things.” MK7:14 And after Jesus had said all this he asked the crowd to approach, and then he said to them: “Every one of you, listen to me now, and understand: MK7:15 There is nothing outside entering a person that defiles. MK7:16 [[Anyone with ears – listen!]]”[6]

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[1] Matthew 15:1-9: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

[2] Honor: Not just respect and obedience, but financial assistance as they grow older.

[3] Whoever speaks badly of: Or, curses, speak evil of, reviles. There is serious danger in speaking abusively of one’s parents. [Compare 1 Timothy 5:8.]

[4] Corban: Or, korban, qorban. Meaning an offering dedicated to God and thus exempt from parental support. Josephus mentions qorban: “Those who describe themselves as ‘Corban’ to God-meaning what Greeks would call ‘a gift’-when desirous to be relieved of this obligation must pay down to the priests a fixed sum.” [Jewish Antiquities, IV, 73 [iv, 4]] The word is used at Leviticus 1:2, 3; 2:1; Numbers 5:18; 6:14, 21]

[5] Invalidate: Or, none effect, void, nullify, break.

[6] Bracketed words are recognized as not adequately supported.

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Preceding

Mark 7 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 7:1-8 – Vain Worship and Human Doctrines

Matthew 15:1-20 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Tradition and the Heart

Matthew 23:25-26 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Woe 5: Greed and Uncleanness