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

CHAPTER SEVEN:
TRADITION AND DEFILED HEARTS, PUPPIES,
AND A DEAF MAN

[“Doing What Is Right”]

Key word: Tradition

Mark 7:1-8 – Vain Worship and Human Doctrines

|| Matthew 15:1-9[1]

MK7:1 Now the Pharisees approached Jesus along with certain Bible Copyists from Jerusalem. MK7:2 When they observed some of his disciples eating bread with defiled hands[2] – that is, without [ceremonially] washing them[3] – [[they found fault]].[4] MK7:3 For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat without [ceremonially] washing their hands, holding to traditions of ancient elders. MK7:4 When they return from the market they do not eat without [ceremonially] washing their hands. And there are many other things[5] that they have received by tradition – the [ceremonial] washing of cups, pots, copper bowls and tables. MK7:5 So the Pharisees and Bible Copyists asked Jesus: “Why do your disciples not conduct themselves according to the traditions of the elders, but eat bread with defiled hands?” MK7:6 Jesus answered them and said: “Excellently has Isaiah prophesied about you hypocrites, exactly as it has been written: ‘This people [of Israel] honors me with their lips, but their heart is distant from me. MK7:7 Their worship of Me is completely worthless,[6] because they teach as doctrine human commands.’[7] [Isaiah 29:13] MK7:8 You set aside the commandment of the God and [instead] hold fast to human traditions.”

*

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

[2] Defiled hands: It does not mean “dirty” hands but those that have not been ceremonially washed.

[3] Washing them: Such a ceremonial ‘baptism’ was a rabbinical addition to the Law of Moses.[Luke 11:38] The Babylonian Talmud [Sotah 4b] placed such a violation equally with prostitution.

[4] Not in some manuscripts.

[5] Many other things: Beginning with about 200 Mosaic regulations, they swelled to 600, and then later 100,000.

[6] Their worship of Me is completely worthless: Or, in vain, empty show. The worship of God’s people is not automatically accepted as though there was nothing they could do wrong. Compare notes on James 1:27-29.

[7] They teach as doctrine human commands: Or, precepts. Those who worship God by means of human doctrines do so in vain. [1 Timothy 4:1-3]

 

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Preceding

Mark 6 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Review Questions on Chapter Six

Matthew 15 An argument with the Scribes – Teachers and traditions

Matthew 20:20-23 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: A Selfish Request Rejected

Matthew 20:20-23 – A Selfish Request Rejected

|| Mark 10:35-40

MT20:20 Later[1] the mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons and bowed[2] wishing to ask a favor from him. MT20:21 Jesus asked her, “What do you wish?” She answered him, “Promise[3] that my two sons may be enthroned with you[4] in your kingdom – one on your left and one on your right.” MT20:22 But Jesus answered her, “You do not realize[5] what you are asking! Are you able to drink the cup I am about to drink?”[6] The [two disciples] said, “We are able!” MT20:23 Jesus told them, “You will really drink my Cup. However, this sitting on my right and left is not my decision to make.[7] Rather it belongs to those my Father has prepared.”[8]

*

[1] Later: Some time has elapsed from the mountain retreat.

[2] Bowed: The Greek is PROSKUNOUSA. Or, KJV: worshipping him; KNX: falling on her knees; TCNT: bowing to the ground. Research the word worship.

[3] Promise: Or, KJV: grant; ASV: command; PME: please say.

[4] Enthroned with you: Literally, “sit.” Compare Revelation 3:21. See notes on Matthew 19:28.

[5] You do not realize: It is likely this is directed at the two disciples, James and John, also called the “sons of thunder.” The parallel accounts have them making the request (likely through their mother). Or, NEB: you do not understand; MON: none of you know what you are asking.

[6] To drink the cup I am about to drink: The KJV adds: baptized with the baptism. The “cup” is something to drink, share, or partake of. Compare notes on Matthew 26:39 (Mark 14:36; John 18:11). Paul says something similar at Romans 6:3-5. The disciples are destined to share a fate and life course similar to their Lord.

[7] Not my decision to make: Literally, KJV: not mine to give. It seems evident that there are certain matters that are the prerogative of the Father. Compare Acts 1:7. The Son has limited authority and knowledge while the Father’s is absolute.

[8] It belongs to those my Father has prepared: Or, KJV: it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared; KNX: it is for those for whom my Father has destined it; NEB: it is for those to whim it has already been assigned. The conclusions drawn from this are many. Some see predestination here. Others hold different views. It is interesting that the Nazarene just doesn’t say there are no such privileged positions in heaven. The whole subject still relates back to the appointment of Peter in Matthew 16:18 and the ongoing argument over who is the greatest among them. We ourselves are embarrassed that two of the apostles would get their mother to ask the Lord for this privilege. How the others felt we will now see.

The Greek word translated “prepared” is HETOIMASTAI. “Strong’s #2090 HETOIMAZO {het-oy-mad’-zo} from 2092; TDNT – 2:704, 266; AV – prepare 29, make ready 10, provide 1; 40. 1) to make ready, prepare; 1a) to make the necessary preparations, get everything ready; 2) metaph. 2a) drawn from the oriental custom of sending on before kings on their journeys persons to level the roads and make them passable; 2b) to prepare the minds of men to give the Messiah a fit reception and secure his blessings.” The main idea may be no more than that God has purposed something according to His will and thus has made all the preparations necessary to accomplish this.

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Preceding

Matthew 20:1-7 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Kingdom and Vineyard Workers

Matthew 20:8-16 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Last, First; First, Last

Matthew 20:17-19 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Onward to Jerusalem!

Matthew 18:23-35 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Kingdom and Forgiveness

Matthew 18:23-35 – The Kingdom and Forgiveness

MT18:23 “For this reason the Realm of Heaven may be compared to a human king who wished to settle his logs[1] with his slaves. MT18:24 Having started to settle the accounts one debtor owing ten thousand talents[2] was brought forward. MT18:25 But not having the resources to pay off his debt the master commanded that he, his woman, his children, and everything they possessed, be sold so the debt could be paid.[3] MT18:26 As a result the slave fell forward prostrating himself at the feet[4] of his master, pleading, ‘Be long-suffering[5] with me and I shall pay back everything I owe you!’ MT18:27 Now the master of the slave was moved by compassion[6] and so released[7] the slave including his loan. MT18:28 However, after that slave left he found one of his fellow slaves who owed him one hundred denarii.[8] He grabbed his fellow and began choking him, screaming: ‘Pay me everything you owe me!’ MT18:29 Now the fellow slave fell on his knees and pleaded, ‘Be long-suffering with me and I will pay back what I owe you!’ MT18:30 But the first slave was unwilling to wait and he left to have his fellow slave thrown into prison until everything he owed was repaid. MT18:31 Now the other slaves saw all this and were deeply distressed. They went to their master and clarified the whole matter so he knew everything that had happened. MT18:32 Then the master demanded the first slave appear before him, telling him, ‘Wicked slave, I released you of all your debt because you begged me so. MT18:33 Was it not necessary for you also to be charitable[9] to your fellow slave just as I had been charitable to you?’ MT18:34 And having now become extremely angry the master turned the slave over to the tormentors[10] until he had repaid everything he owed. MT18:35 Just so my heavenly Father will do to you[11] if ever you do not forgive from your hearts every one of your brothers!”[12]

*

[1] Settle his logs: The Greek is LOGON and may be rendered: KJV: take account; ASV: a reckoning; RHM: settle accounts.

[2] Ten thousand talents: NEB: ran into the millions; MOF: three million pounds; MON: fifteen million dollars; PME: millions of dollars. If a slave made 16 cents a day one can see the debt was enormous.

[3] Sold so the debt could be paid: It seems impossible that a slave could repay such a debt.

[4] Fell forward prostrating himself at the feet: Or, KJV: fell down, and worshipped him; RHM: falling down began to do homage. See notes else where on PROSKUNEO or prostrate. Research also the word worship.

[5] Long-suffering: The Greek is literally “longness of spirit.” Or, KJV: have patience; WMS: give me time.

[6] Moved by compassion: Or, RIEU: sorry for him; GDSP: heart was touched; NOR: took pity on.

[7] Released: Or, KJV: loosed him; RIEU: let him go free and canceled the loan.

[8] One hundred denarii: Or, TCNT: ten pounds; MON: fifty dollars; GDSP: hundred dollars; PME: few dollars. The difference between the two debts is unthinkable. The scholar Kennedy contrasted the difference in the two debts: the later one could be carried in a pocket; the former was so huge it would require 8,600 workers each carrying 60 pounds! The larger debt was more than that of whole provinces in Judea.

[9] Charitable: Generally this word is rendered by “mercy” but we can see that this is not a matter of judging someone but canceling debt, thus charity. Or, NOR: pity. Read and meditate on James 2:13.

[10] Tormentors: The Greek is BASANISTAIS. Or, BER: scourgers; GDSP: jailers. Research the word basan and torment for the original meaning of confinement or punishment with or without torture.

[11] Just so my heavenly Father will do to you: This is a most serious matter. Those who refuse to forgive will learn a side to the Almighty they will not like. It is a mistaken notion that the Nazarene and his Father were all-forgiving all the time. This matter of forgiveness is one in which the individual chooses his own destiny. See notes on Matthew 6:14, 15 and Matthew 7:1, 2. The lesson is simple and straightforward: we have been a debt so great it is impossible to repay; therefore, we ought to reflect our appreciation in forgiving our fellows.

[12] Forgive from your hearts every one of your brothers: Or, KNX: with all his heart; BER: if each of you does not heartily forgive his brother. Read and meditate on Ephesians 4:23 and Colossians 3:13.

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Preceding posts

Matthew 18:1-6 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Children and Stumbling

Matthew 18:1-6 Reborn and pliable as a child

Matthew 18:7-11 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Danger of Stumbling-blocks

Matthew 18:12-14 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Searching for Lost Sheep

Matthew 18:15-17 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Three Steps to Gaining a Brother

Matthew 18:18-20 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Authority of Two or Three

Matthew 18:21-22 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Forgive 77 Times!

Ableness to forgive those who wronged us

When a person looks for or has the need to Choose the Right Church

When encountering the article “Tips to Choose the Right Church Inner West Sydney to Visit” we first were surprised that in the region of the article writer all churches seem to

preach the same thing and they are bible based, still there are a few things that you may not find it to be comfortable or you may expect something higher. {Tips to Choose the Right Church Inner West Sydney to Visit}

It would be nice if all those churches are Bible base, but according what we could see at other writings is that perhaps more churches were “Church based” or based on church (read) human doctrines.

The Bible Based Church, Sydney has been formed in Australia. They claim

to lead people in an honest way; {Lead Life to the Way of God with the Bible Based Church Sydney}

and write that they

teach Bible to give the ultimate inspiration to search for the truth. {Lead Life to the Way of God with the Bible Based Church Sydney}

Like us they seem to understand the necessity of a life with God, and as such write

One cannot live life without God; you should keep the faith always in the God.  {Lead Life to the Way of God with the Bible Based Church Sydney}

For choosing the right church they give following advice: (please take note: the bold writing is presented by us)

The church you want to choose should be the place that encourages you for worship. It should make you feel the spirit and enjoy the divineness in you. There are number of churches across the city, which will create a wonderful environment for you to worship and share your love with others.

We would say be careful for choosing for the creation of a wonderful environment and lovely entertainment.

• You should also find about how many people prefer to visit the church you choose. If there are many people showing interest to visit the church, then there should be something interesting and best to offer you. Therefore you can choose to visit that church

It is not the quantity that should count but the quality.

• Check if the church you choose to visit will suit your interest and your family interest. Most importantly, your children should feel comfortable visiting this church. This is crucial to gain the best experience from the church when you visit. Moreover, by visiting the church where there are many families and children visit will enable your children to find good and new friends of their ages. This is an other encouraging factor to ensure before you find the church to visit
• It is not only these factors but you should also check with the church time, which you should also feel comfortable to visit. Some churches will have a specific timing, however, most of the churches will have the prayer time and special events conducted on Sundays. Therefore, you should also ensure your time to visit the church regularly without missing
• Events in the church. Most of the churches will conduct special events to keep the people and members encouraged and entertained. Such activities will motivate you and makes you get freed from the tension filled lifestyle. You will absolutely feel stress free and gain peace of mind by taking part in these events. Besides all this will be an encouraging break from the busy schedule and spend a good time with your friends and known people in the church
It is not only these factors that you need to take into your consideration while selecting a church, but you should also consider other factors like the distance from your home, your possibility to visit often, their praying method, preaching bible and many others.

We may not forget that the praying method is with the method of following the Scriptures the most important factor we should keep in mind, remembering that we should worship God in the way He wants to be worshipped.

These factors can help you easily choose the right church that will fulfil your expectations in best ways. You can also ask your friends to refer the best church to visit with your family and children. {Tips to Choose the Right Church Inner West Sydney to Visit} (emphasis our editorial choice)

To their hints to choose a right church we would like to ad:

First question people should ask themselves is what do I want to follow: Biblical Truth (with the true faith in only One true God) or human doctrines (like the Trinity).

Secondly then they should ask in which way they want to follow Jesus, who put his own will away to do the will of God, and also would love to do God’s Will.

Then they should wonder how far they would like to go in following Jesus and going to worship the Only One True God of Jesus, the God of Israel, Who is an eternal Spirit God no man can see.

When knowing that Jesus is the way to God, and that he asked his followers to gather and to spread the Word of God and the Good News of the Kingdom of God a person should ask himself in which way he or she would like to take up that task given by Christ Jesus.

When that person does not find a right church nearby he or she should think about creating a home-church or something like that in his own neighbourhood. And to gather with others a real believer should not mind to go now-and-then far away (if physically and materially possible) to find and meet with like minded people to worship the Divine Creator The Almighty Lord God of gods King above all gods.

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Additional reading

1. 2020 years ago, the road was opened
2. Getting out of the dark corners of this world
3. Where to learn the truth
4. Willing to do and we willing to learn everything that the Elohim has spoken
5. Priest, scribes and others with authority
6. Church sent into the world
7. Biblical Yeshua/ Jesus or Another European Greco- Roman Jesus ??
8. Ability (part 7) Thought about the ability to grow as a member of the Body of Christ
9. Jewish and Gentile Disciples
10. The Field is the World #4 Many who leave the church
11. This fighting world, Zionism and Israel #6
12. This fighting world, Zionism and Israel #7
13. Christian fundamentalists feeding Into the Toxic Partisanship and driving countries into the Dark Ages… #1
14. The Reformation shows us why we need expository preaching
15. When believing in God’s existence and His son, possessing a divine legislation
16. That brotherly love may continue and have people join hands

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Related

1. Review of ‘A Nearly Infallible History of Christianity’
2. Book Review: A History of the Church in 100 Objects
3. Strengthening the Community of Kingdom Citizens, An Excerpt from My New Book
4. Theia koinoonia from sacred koinon, community
5. The Resurrected Jesus at Work!
6. The set apart life….for a Most Holy God
7. On Individual Responsibility
8. Christian Church
9. Praise is Not the Same as Applause
10. The Art of Ending Church Apostasy: Let’s talk about confrontation
11. Introduction to the Church Community In Contemporary Culture
12. Crosstalk “Our Pastor Said …” | Who Should We Listen to as We Believe in God? (English Dubbed)
13. Short Sketch From the Christian Church | “The Police Pay a New Year Visit” (English Dubbed) | The Church of Almighty God
14. A classic documentary from the Christian Church “The One Who Holds Sovereignty Over Everything”| Eastern Lightning
15. Who’s your favorite preacher?
16. A Review of Scot McKnight’s Kingdom Conspiracy
17. Can I Ban Remember When?
18. The Gathering at the Table
19. 3 Steps to Re-Writing Your Church Story
20. A Review of Thomas Bergler’s The Juvenilization of American Christianity
21. When Knowing Jesus Is Depressing #christianityanddepression
22. How I Met Jesus in High School: A Personal Testimony
23. Growing Up Black in America, A Conversation with my Son-in-Law #blacklivesmatter #policeshootings
24. Positive and Negative Sides of Multicultural Church Sydney Benefits
25. Approach An Holistic Way While Visiting Multicultural Church Sydney
26. The Growth of Church Services in Church Sydney Helps Develop Society Effectively
27. Holy Fortune Cookie
28. Standing For Your Faith Will Cost You
29. We can All chip in and help our students!
30. The Morning the Elders Walked Out on Me
31. Love in a Time of War
32. I Want You to Want Me
33. Trump and Jesus
34. Two Characteristics of Christian Identity
35. Christians Behaving Badly and How to Change That
36. Listening intently to Truth>

Nazarene Commentary Matthew 4:8-11 – A Temptation to Gain World Rule

Matthew 4:8-11 – A Temptation to Gain World Rule

|| Luke 4:5-8, 13

MT4:8 Again the Devil took Jesus along to an unusually high mountain[1] and showed him all the kingdoms[2] of the world[3] and their glory. MT4:9 And the Devil said to Jesus, “All this I will give you if you ever prostrate[4] yourself and bow before me, kissing my feet.” MT4:10 Then Jesus said to the Devil, “Be on your way, Satan,[5] for it has been written,[6] ‘You shall worship[7] YHWH your God[8] and to Him only shall you render divine service.’”[9][Deuteronomy 5:9; 6:13; 10:20] MT4:11 With that the Devil left Jesus, and, look! angels approached Jesus and ministered to him.

*

Now we come to the moment that the adversary of God shows the many kingdoms of earth to Jeshua, Christ Jesus, of whom is written in the ancient Scriptures that he is the sent one from God who is to govern over all kingdoms or monarchies, empires, monocracies, emperors, hereditary figures such as kings and queens, going to be the King of kings. The adversary of God promised Jesus that he was going to give all things if Jesus would fall down and worship him. This is not so much different today as at the time of Jesus. Today the satans or adversaries of God still promise the people many things they really cannot give, because those things do not belong to them and because they have no right of power over them. Lots of people also want to be worshipped by those around them. Many people fall in front of them because they love to receive more things and better positions from them. They are clearly of the world and not loving God as such, because their priorities are not for the heavenly goods but for the worldly goods.

At the moment the world still belongs to satan or to those who might be against God, but that is not going to stay so. There shall come a day when Jesus shall be authorised to rule over all the kingdoms on earth. (Revelation 11:15).

5 So he brought him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the inhabited earth in an instant of time.+ 6 Then the Devil said to him: “I will give you all this authority and their glory, because it has been handed over to me,+ and I give it to whomever I wish. 7 If you, therefore, do an act of worship before me, it will all be yours.” 8 In reply Jesus said to him: “It is written, ‘It is Jehovah* your God you must worship, and it is to him alone you must render sacred service.’”+ {Luke 4:5-8}

• • John 12:31

  • 31 Now there is a judging of this world; now the ruler of this world+ will be cast out.+

• • John 14:30

  • 30 I will not speak with you much more, for the ruler of the world+ is coming, and he has no hold on me.*+

• • Ephesians 2:2

  • 2 in which you at one time walked according to the system of things* of this world,+ according to the ruler of the authority of the air,+ the spirit+ that is now at work in the sons of disobedience.

• 1 John 5:19: 19 We know that we originate with God, but the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one.+
• • Matthew 13:19

  • 19 Where anyone hears the word of the Kingdom but does not get the sense of it, the wicked one+ comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart; this is the one sown alongside the road.+

Though rulership may today still belong to the adversary of God he does not deserve worship. Jesus very well knew to Whom worship belongs. It is not Jesus who has to be worshipped nor satan or any adversary of God or any other person or any other god than the God of gods, the Host of hosts.

Jesus’ refusal was curt:

“Beat it, Satan!”

He backed his rebuke with a third quotation from Deuteronomy, saying that it is written:

“It is Jehovah* your God you must worship,+ and it is only to Him alone you must render sacred service (or absolute single-heartedness).’”+

**

Mount Hermon, viewed from Mount Bental in the Golan Heights

[1] High mountain: We are tempted to envision Mount Everest though Mount Hermon might be the location.

[2] All the kingdoms: The governments and world powers all belong to the Devil as Luke 4:6, 7 confirms. Satan is the “god of this world.” (2 Corinthians 4:4) The entire world lies in his power (1 John 5:19). This “world” will one day be ruled by Lord Messiah (Revelation 11:15).

[3] World: The Greek is KOSMOS.

[4] Prostrate: The Greek is PROSKUNESES and contains “before + kiss” meaning to bow to the ground and kiss the sandals or hem of a garment. Older translations often use “worship” which is drawn from “worthy” and was used in old English regarding worthy persons such as kings, judges, and priests as worthy persons who may be addressed “Your worship.” It may range from a simple matter of respect to religious worship.

[5] Satan: The name means “Resister; Rebel; Apostate.” The name occurs 68 times with the first occurrence at 1 Chronicles 21:1. It occurs most often (17) in the Book of Job.

[6] Written: Perhaps a conflate paraphrase from Deuteronomy 5:9; 6:13; 10:20.

[7] Worship: The Greek is PROSKUNESEIS as in verse 9 but amplified by Jesus’ next word. TCNT: do homage.

[8] Your God: By this Jesus infers that YHWH is his God otherwise the quote makes no sense as a response to Satan. Over two dozen times the Scriptures use phrases indicating the Nazarene worships his own God. “The God of our Lord.” (Ephesians 1:3, 17)

[9] Render divine service: The Greek is LATREUSEIS. Or, KJV: serve; RHM: divine service.

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Preceding

Nazarene Commentary Matthew 4:1-4 A Wilderness Temptation

Nazarene Commentary Matthew 4:5-7 – A Temptation to Test God

Jehovah God Maker of the entire universe served by a well-trained army

Next:

Nazarene Commentary Matthew 4:12-17 – Galilee Saw A Great Light

Nazarene Commentary Matthew 4:18-22 – The Calling of the First Disciples

Nazarene Commentary Matthew 4:23-25 – Kingdom Preaching and Healing Draws Crowds

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Additional reading

1. True riches
2. Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God
3. When will it stop
4. Merry Christmas with the King of Kings
5. Looking for answers on the question Is there a God #2 Pantheon of gods and celebrations
6. Looking for answers on the question Is there a God #3 Transcendence or Surpassing other gods and man

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Further reading

1. The Ancient Worship of Babylon
2. God Will Rule This Earth
3. Deuteronomy
4. Democratic Mistakes–The falls of Titans
5. Kingdoms Collide
6. All Forms of Government Are Bad
7. Kings and kingdoms
8. Messenger to the Nations
9. Battling in the heavenly realm for your nation
10. Bowing In Humility
11. Missing Our Medicine
12. Seeking to Strengthen the Faith
13. Surrender
14. Having Faith in God 
15. Worship God
16. G3-Why Praise God?
17. Worship in Spirit and in Truth Part A
18. God First (I Chronicles 8-10)
19. Quick Answers: When Is The Best Time To Praise And Worship God?
20. Worship in Spirit and In Truth Part B
21. Unlock and activate what God has for you!
22. Worship out of Love
23. Our Service to God
24. Worship is not about us

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