Mark 5 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 5:25-29 – A Medical Miracle

Mark 5:25-29 – A Medical Miracle

|| Matthew 9:18-26[1]

MK5:25 Now [in the crowd] there was a certain woman who had been bleeding for twelve years. MK5:26 She had suffered many things at the hands of numerous physicians.[2] She had spent all of her money and was no better but actually worse.[3] MK5:27 When she had heard of Jesus, she approached him from behind in the crowd and touched his garment. MK5:28 For she had told herself: “If I just touch his garment[4] I will be cured.” MK5:29 And instantly her constant bleeding stopped, and she could feel in her body that she had been healed of her terrible affliction.

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[1] Matthew 9:18-26: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

[2] Physicians: Or, healers, doctors.

[3] Spent all of her money and was no better but actually worse: One can read this and marvel that 2000 years later matters have no changed.

[4] Touch his garment: This was against the Law of Moses and would have rendered Jesus ceremonially unclean. [Leviticus 6:27; 15:25]

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Preceding

Matthew 9:18-26 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: On the Way to Raise a Ruler’s Daughter a Woman is Cured

Matthew 9:18-26 – What others say about Jesus knowing how to care for people

Mark 5 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 5:1-10 – Demon ‘Legion’ Expelled

Mark 5 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 5:11-17 – Swine Rush Over Cliff

Mark 5 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 5:18-20 – Healed Demoniac Proclaims Jesus

Mark 5 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 5:21-24 – A Synagogue Ruler

Matthew 23:27-28 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Woe 6: Whitewashed Graves

Matthew 23:27-28 – Woe 6: Whitewashed Graves

MT23:27 “WOE to you hypocritical Scribes and Pharisees because you are like whitewashed graves[1] which outside seem to appear beautiful but within are full of the bones of the dead every uncleanness![2] MT23:28 Just so you also give the appearance to others of righteousness[3] but inside you are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness![4]

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[1] You are like whitewashed graves: Or, KJV: whited sepulchres; RSV: white-washed tombs.

[2] Within are full of the bones of the dead every uncleanness: Or, KNX: all manner of corruption; NEB: all kinds of filth; MON: rottenness; BECK: every kind of decay.

[3] You also give the appearance to others of righteousness: RIEU: you are law-abiding men to outside view; NEB: outside you look like honest men; MOF: so to men you seem just; TCNT: to others you have the look of religious men. Compare 2 Corinthians 11:13-15. Such pious clergy give a public persona of warm smiles, false humility, and a pseudo-love; they are completely different men behind closed doors and in judgments of others during star-chamber courts. They may claim to be righteous, or preach righteousness, while living a contradictory life.

[4] Hypocrisy and lawlessness: KJV: and iniquity; RIEU: and wickedness; NEB: brim-full of hypocrisy and crime. On the word “lawlessness” see the notes on Matthew 7:23, Matthew 13:41, and Matthew 24:12. Compare also 2 Thessalonians 2:7-11.

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Preceding

Matthew 23:1-12 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Prominence and Humility

Matthew 23:13-14 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Shutting Up the Kingdom

Matthew 23:15 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Woe 2: Evangelists of Gehenna

Matthew 23:16-22 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Woe 3: Blind Guides and Gold

Matthew 23:23-24 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Woe 4: A Disregard for Justice and Mercy

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

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Related

1. Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer, and Reflection for 4.9.19 “Integrity’ is the opposite of ‘hypocrisy’.
2. Hold Fast to Righteousness
3. Self-Righteousness Versus God-righteousness
4. Just a Thought Do we really want to see ourselves and the world changed, or are we just going through the motions to look good? Matthew 23:27
5. Just a Thought Followers of Jesus should express their commitment to God in their words and their deeds, as well as in their inner motivation.
6. Stand Firm in Your Faith
7. Just a Thought Integrity. You either have it or you don’t. Your life shows others just who you are. If you think you can fool others then you are just that. A fool. Matthew 23:27
8. A Proud Man
9. False Humility – Introduction
10. False Humility, Dangerous Silence, and Mindless Meditation

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

Matthew 23:25-26 – Woe 5: Greed and Uncleanness

|| Luke 11:39-41

MT23:25 “WOE to you hypocritical Scribes and Pharisees because you cleanse the outside of the cup[1] and the plate but inside they are full of grasping and lack of [moral] strength.[2] MT23:26 Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish so that it may become clean[3] along with the outside.

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[1] You cleanse the outside of the cup: Compare Mark 7:4.

[2] Grasping and lack of [moral] strength: Or, KJV: extortion and excess; RHM: plunder and intemperance; KNX: avarice and incontinence; RIEU: rapine and unbridled greed; MOF: rapacity and self-indulgence; ASV: insolent behavior and uncontrolled desire. The word “grasping” (or, snatching) is from the Greek HARPAGES related to Philippians 2:6 and 1 Thessalonians 4:17.

[3] Become clean: Compare notes on Matthew 15:18, 19. One of the worst types of hypocrisy is a religious person with church appointments who is one person publicly but another internally.

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Preceding

Matthew 23:1-12 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Prominence and Humility

Matthew 23:13-14 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Shutting Up the Kingdom

Matthew 23:15 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Woe 2: Evangelists of Gehenna

Matthew 23:16-22 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Woe 3: Blind Guides and Gold

Matthew 23:23-24 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Woe 4: A Disregard for Justice and Mercy

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Related

1. Legalism: Luke 11
2. The Pharisee
3. Pharisees and Scribes

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

CHAPTER FIFTEEN:
TRADITION AND THE HEART, GIVING CRUMBS TO PUPPIES,
FEEDING 4000

[“The Mouth and the Heart”]
(Key Word: Traditions)

Matthew 15:1-20 – Tradition and the Heart

|| Mark 7:1-23

MT15:1 Now scribes[1] and Pharisees from Jerusalem[2] approached Jesus, saying, “Why do your disciples[3] transgress the traditions of the Ancients?[4] MT15:2 For they do not wash their hands[5] when eating bread.” MT15:3 Jesus responded to them, asking, MT15:4 “For The God said, ‘Honor your father and mother.’[6] [Exodus 20:12] And also, ‘Let the person who says a bad word against[7] father or mother be put to death.’ [Leviticus 20:9] MT15:5 But you teach, ‘Whatever I have to help[8] my father or mother is a Temple-offering consecrated to God’[9] – MT15:6 such a person does not honor[10] father at all. You have invalidated the Word[11] of The God by your own tradition. MT15:7 Hypocrites, Isaiah gave a good prophecy[12] about you when he said, MT15:8 ‘This people honors Me with their lips but their heart is distant. MT15:9 Their worship is worthless[13] because they teach human commandments as doctrine.’” [Isaiah 29:13] MT15:10 Now Jesus called the crowd to gather close, telling them, “Listen carefully and understand:[14] MT15:11 Not what enters the mouth defiles a person,[15] but what pours out of the mouth defiles a person.” MT15:12 Now the disciples approached Jesus, telling him, “Do you know you offended the Pharisees[16] by what they heard you say?” MT15:13 Jesus answered them, “Every plant[17] not planted by my Father will be pulled out by the roots. MT15:14 Leave them alone.[18] They are blind guides.[19] So, if someone blind guides another blind person, they will both fall into a pit.” MT15:15 Peter responded to Jesus, “Make the parable clear to us.” MT15:16 Jesus told them, “Are you still without understanding?[20] MT15:17 Are you unaware that everything entering the mouth passes through the belly[21] and is expelled into a sewer?[22] MT15:18 But the words pouring out of the mouth originate from the heart.[23] Those are the things which defile a person. MT15:19 For it is from the heart these originate:[24] evil dialogue,[25] murders, adulteries,[26] fornications,[27] thieveries,[28] perjuries and slander,[29] abusive speech.[30] MT15:20 These are the things defiling a person. Eating with unwashed hands does not defile a person.”

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[1] Scribes: BECK: Bible scholars.

[2] From Jerusalem: Over 100 miles.

[3] Your disciples: They do not accuse Jesus. Had these Jews witnessed some habit of the disciples not to ceremonial wash their hands before eating? Or, is this a rumor?

[4] Transgress the traditions of the Ancients: Or, GDSP: break the rules handed down by our ancestors; KJV: elders.

[5] Wash their hands: Or, AMP: for they do not practice [ceremonially] washing. Compare 2 Kings 3:11. “The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands up to the elbow.” (Mark 7:2-5) The Babylonian Talmud (Sotah 4b) places eating with unwashed hands equal to intercourse with a prostitute.

[6] Honor your father and mother: From the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:12; 21:17). Paul also quotes the “first commandment with a promise.” (Ephesians 6:2) The English word “honor” is from the Greek TIMA from which the name Timothy comes.

[7] Says a bad word against: Or, KJV: curseth; ASV: speaketh evil of; NWT: reviles. Jesus quotes Leviticus 20:9. Compare Leviticus 20:9; Deuteronomy 27:16.

[8] Whatever I have to help: ASV: that wherewith thou mightest have been profited by me; RIEU: all the support you might have; RSV: what you would have gained from me; GDSP: anything of mine that might have been of use to you.

[9] Is a Temple-offering consecrated to God: ASV: is given to God; RIEU: temple-offering. The New Jerusalem Bible footnote explains: “Property thus made over by vow assumes a sacred character.… Such a vow in fact was only a legal fiction.… Though the rabbis acknowledged its impiety they sustained its validity.”

[10] Does not honor: Jesus infers this “honor” is of a material kind not a mere matter of respect. The children who do not care for elderly parents dishonor them and violate the commandment. Compare 1 Timothy 5:4, 8. The Greek word TIME means honor, esteem, value, or preciousness. The verb TIMAO also means “set a price on” (Matthew 27:9); the noun TIME caries the sense of price or value (Matthew 27:6; Acts 4:34); and the adjective TIMIOS means esteemed, dear, or valuable (Acts 5:34; 20:24; 1 Corinthians 3:12).

[11] You have invalidated the Word: Or, MOF: you have repealed the law of God; GDSP: you have nullified what God has said; PME: empties the commandment.

[12] Isaiah gave a good prophecy: The quote is of Isaiah 29:13. The context in Isaiah is also referenced by Romans 11:9; Colossians 2:22; 1 Corinthians 1:19. Or, KJV: well did Esaias prophesy; MOF: it was indeed of you that Isaiah prophesied; PME: Isaiah described you beautifully; RIEU: how right Isaiah was.

[13] Their worship is worthless: Or, WMS: their worship of me is an empty show.

[14] Listen carefully and understand: Or, KNX: listen to this, and grasp what it means.

[15] Defiles a person: Or, PME: makes him common or unclean.

[16] You offended the Pharisees: Or, ME: are deeply offended; GDSP: were shocked to hear you. The disciples seem concerned by Jesus did not come to please everyone. The Greek word here is ESCANDALISTHESAN: they thought what he said scandalous.

[17] Every plant: He infers the scribes and Pharisees.

[18] Leave them alone: Or, KNX: let them say what they will.

[19] Blind guides: Or, KJV: blind leaders. Knowing what he has already said was offensive, the Nazarene comes back with an even more direct inference.

[20] Are you still without understanding: Or, RHM: without discernment; GDSP: have even you no understanding; BAS: are you, like them, still without wisdom; RIEU: You too? Still so dull? Jesus is not caring one twit whose toes he steps on: either the clergy or his own disciples. Raised to respect the clergy, it is possible the disciples do not yet discern the gulf which exists between Jesus and the religious hierarchy.

[21] Passes through the belly: Or, WEY: stomach; NWT: intestines.

[22] Expelled into a sewer: WEY: afterwards ejected from the body; NWT: discharged into the sewer.

[23] Originate from the heart: NEB: has its origins in the heart; PME: comes from his heart and mind. Compare James 1:14, 15.

[24] These originate: Mark 7:20, 21 adds several characteristics: “injurious reasonings issue forth: fornications, thieveries, murders, adulteries, covetings, acts of wickedness, deceit, loose conduct, an envious eye, blasphemy, haughtiness, unreasonableness.” (NWT)

[25] Evil dialogue: The Greek is DIALOGISMOI PONEROI. Or, KJV: evil thoughts; KNX: wicked designs.

[26] Adulteries: Or, BAS: broken faith between the married.

[27] Fornications: The Greek is PORNEIAI and is drawn from “prostitution.” Or, MOF: sexual vice; GDSP: immorality; BAS: unclean desires of the flesh.

[28] Thieveries: MOF: stealing.

[29] Perjuries and slander: Or, KJV: false witness; NWT: false testimonies.

[30] Abusive speech: The Greek is BLASPHEMIAI. Or, KJV: blasphemies; ASV: railings; RHM: profane speaking; WEY: slander.

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Preceding

Matthew 14:35-36 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: If They Might Just Touch Him

Matthew 15 An argument with the Scribes – Teachers and traditions

Matthew 15 Calvin’s view

Matthew 15 Spurgeon’s view

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Related

1. Matthew 15, defilement from within, the faith of the Caananite woman, Jesus feeds the four thousand.
2. When What to Eat is More Important Than What to Say
3. Matthew 15丨C. H. Spurgeon
4. “Why do your disciples play fast and loose with the rules?” ~Religious scholars to Jesus
5. unclean
6. Out of The Mouth
7. “Frauds!” ~Jesus
8. Doctrine vs. Tradition
9. Hypocrisy — Its Expression through Insincere Motives
10. Hypocrisy — What happens when my deeds do not match my words?
11. False Doctrine — Is it of human origin and not from Jesus the Messiah?
12. Questions for Reflection and Discussion Matthew 15 1-9
13. Bible Study Notes on Matthew 15:1-28 – 20180117
14. “Are you being willfully stupid?” ~Jesus
15. Class: Matthew 15
16. Prayer for Difficult Conversations based on Matthew 15.11
17. Detox it’s the New Thing
18. How Church Should Be (Matthew 15:10–28)
19. Matthew 15:10-20: Blessed & Blessing

Matthew 15 Spurgeon’s view

Our King combatting formalists

1. THEN came to, Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hand, when they eat bread.

When our Lord was busiest his enemies assailed him. These ecclesiastics “of Jerusalem” were probably the cream of the set, and from their great reputation they reckoned upon an easy victory over the rustic preacher.

Perhaps they were a deputation from headquarters, sent to confound the new Teacher. They had a question to raise, which to them may have seemed important, or possibly they pretended to think it so to answer their own purposes. Traditions of the elders were great things with them: to transgress these must be a crime indeed. Washing of the hands is a thing proper enough, one could wish it were oftener practiced, but to exalt it into a religious rite is a folly and a sin.

These “scribes and Pharisee” washed their hands, whether they needed washing or not, out of a supposed zeal to be rid of any particle that might render them ceremonially unclean. Our Lord’s disciples had so far entered into Christian liberty that they did not observe the rabbinical tradition: “they wash not their hands when they eat bread.” Why should they wash if their hands were clean? Tradition had no power over their consciences. No man has any more right to institute a new duty than to neglect an old one.

The issuing of commands is for the King alone. Yet these religionists enquire why the Lord’s disciples break a law which was no law. It will be well if our opponents are unable to bring against us any worse charge than this.

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Preceding

Matthew 15 Calvin’s view

Matthew 15 An argument with the Scribes – Teachers and traditions

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Related

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2. The Dance of Isaiah!
3. Faithful Catholics Respond After Abuse Scandals: Commitments to Change and Belief in Pope Francis
4. Five Reasons Why Churches Won’t Grow
5. Editor’s Pick: N. T. Wright on Biblical Authourity
6. Focus on Scribes
7. Scribes