About Mark

Mark presents Jesus as the suffering Servant of God, emphasizing His actions and authority.

Author: John MarkWritten: c. AD 50-65Reading time: ~5 minVerses: 37
ServantActionAuthoritySufferingDiscipleshipMessianic Secret

King James Version

Mark 7

37 verses with commentary

Traditions and Commandments

Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Then came together unto him the Pharisees...</strong> Religious leaders from Jerusalem investigate Jesus. This passage demonstrates Christ's divine authority and teaching, challenging religious traditions while establishing kingdom principles. Reformed theology sees here the fulfillment of Old Testament promises and the pattern for New Covenant faith.

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

VII. (1-23) **Then came together unto him.**—See Notes on Matthew 15:1-20.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**19. Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him--**rather, as in the Margin, "had a grudge against him." Probably she was too proud to speak to him; still less would she quarrel with him. and would have killed him; but she could not.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 7 Chapter Outline The traditions of the elders.(1-13) What defiles the man.(14-23) The woman of Canaan's daughter cured.(24-30) Christ restores a man to hearing and speech.(31-37) **Verses 1-13** One great design of Christ's coming was, to set aside the ceremonial law; and to make way for this, he rejects the ceremonies men added to the law of God's making. Those ...
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And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault. defiled: or, common

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Mark 7:2</strong> This passage continues Mark's fast-paced narrative demonstrating Jesus' divine authority, miraculous power, and confrontation with religious establishment. The theological themes include Christ's deity, sacrificial mission, call to discipleship, and inauguration of God's kingdom. Reformed interpretation emphasizes sovereign grace, substitutionary atonement, and transforma...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(2) **With defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands.**—The first word means literally *common.* This came to be associated, as in Acts 10:14, with what was “unclean,” and so, for Jews at all events, the word acquired a new meaning. St. Mark’s Gentile readers, however, were not likely to understand what was meant by “common hands,” and therefore he adds his explanation of “unwashed.”

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**20. For Herod feared John--**but, as Bengel notes, John feared not Herod. **knowing that he was a just man and an holy--**Compare the case of Elijah with Ahab, after the murder of Naboth (1Ki 21:20). **and observed him--**rather, as in the Margin, "kept" or "saved him"; that is, from the wicked designs of Herodias, who had been watching for some pretext to get Herod entangled and committed t...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 7 Chapter Outline The traditions of the elders.(1-13) What defiles the man.(14-23) The woman of Canaan's daughter cured.(24-30) Christ restores a man to hearing and speech.(31-37) **Verses 1-13** One great design of Christ's coming was, to set aside the ceremonial law; and to make way for this, he rejects the ceremonies men added to the law of God's making. Those ...
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For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. oft: or, diligently: in the original, with the fist: Theophylact, up to the elbow

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Mark 7:3</strong> This passage continues Mark's fast-paced narrative demonstrating Jesus' divine authority, miraculous power, and confrontation with religious establishment. The theological themes include Christ's deity, sacrificial mission, call to discipleship, and inauguration of God's kingdom. Reformed interpretation emphasizes sovereign grace, substitutionary atonement, and transforma...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(3) F**or the Pharisees, and all the Jews.**—For the sake of the same class of readers, St. Mark adds another explanatory note. The custom of which he speaks was not, he says, peculiar to the Pharisees as a sect; it had passed, through their influence, to the whole body of the people. **Oft.**—The Greek MSS. present two readings, one of which this is the natural meaning; another, which means liter...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**21. And when a convenient day--**for the purposes of Herodias. **was come, that Herod--**rather, "A convenient day being come, when Herod." **on his birthday, made a supper to his lords, high captains, and chief estates of Galilee--**This graphic minuteness of detail adds much to the interest of the tragic narrative.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 7 Chapter Outline The traditions of the elders.(1-13) What defiles the man.(14-23) The woman of Canaan's daughter cured.(24-30) Christ restores a man to hearing and speech.(31-37) **Verses 1-13** One great design of Christ's coming was, to set aside the ceremonial law; and to make way for this, he rejects the ceremonies men added to the law of God's making. Those ...
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And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables. pots: sextarius is about a pint and an half tables: or, beds

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Mark 7:4</strong> This passage continues Mark's fast-paced narrative demonstrating Jesus' divine authority, miraculous power, and confrontation with religious establishment. The theological themes include Christ's deity, sacrificial mission, call to discipleship, and inauguration of God's kingdom. Reformed interpretation emphasizes sovereign grace, substitutionary atonement, and transforma...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(4) **Except they wash.**—The Greek verb differs from that in the previous verse, and implies the washing or immersion (the verb is that from which our word “baptise” comes to us) of the whole body, as the former does of part. The idea on which the practice rested was not one of cleanliness or health, but of arrogant exclusiveness, fastening on the thought of ceremonial purity. They might have com...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**22. And when the daughter of the said Herodias--**that is, her daughter by her proper husband, Herod Philip: Her name was Salome [Josephus, Antiquities, 18.5,4]. **came in and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat with him, the king said unto the damsel--**"the girl" (See on Mr 5:42). Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 7 Chapter Outline The traditions of the elders.(1-13) What defiles the man.(14-23) The woman of Canaan's daughter cured.(24-30) Christ restores a man to hearing and speech.(31-37) **Verses 1-13** One great design of Christ's coming was, to set aside the ceremonial law; and to make way for this, he rejects the ceremonies men added to the law of God's making. Those ...
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Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Mark 7:5</strong> This passage continues Mark's fast-paced narrative demonstrating Jesus' divine authority, miraculous power, and confrontation with religious establishment. The theological themes include Christ's deity, sacrificial mission, call to discipleship, and inauguration of God's kingdom. Reformed interpretation emphasizes sovereign grace, substitutionary atonement, and transforma...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(5) **With unwashen hands.**—The better MSS. give, “with *defiled* hands,” the word being the same as before. It was probable that the Pharisees would use the stronger word in their question, equally probable that a transcriber might think it better to substitute that which was the more easily understood.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**23. And he--**the king, so called, but only by courtesy (see on Mr 6:14). **sware unto her Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, unto the half of my kingdom--**Those in whom passion and luxury have destroyed self-command will in a capricious moment say and do what in their cool moments they bitterly regret.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 7 Chapter Outline The traditions of the elders.(1-13) What defiles the man.(14-23) The woman of Canaan's daughter cured.(24-30) Christ restores a man to hearing and speech.(31-37) **Verses 1-13** One great design of Christ's coming was, to set aside the ceremonial law; and to make way for this, he rejects the ceremonies men added to the law of God's making. Those ...
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He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.

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KJV Study Commentary

He answered said Well has Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites as it is written This people honors me with lips but heart is far from me. Jesus quotes Isaiah 29:13. Hypocrites hupokritai actors wearing masks. This people houtosho laos. Honors tima external show. With lips tois cheilesin verbal confession. But de contrast. Heart kardia inner reality. Is far from me apechei long distance separation. ...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(6) **Well hath Esaias prophesied.**—Strictly, *well did Esaias prophesy.*

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**24. And she said, The head of John the Baptist--**Abandoned women are more shameless and heartless than men. The Baptist's fidelity marred the pleasures of Herodias, and this was too good an opportunity of getting rid of him to let slip.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 7 Chapter Outline The traditions of the elders.(1-13) What defiles the man.(14-23) The woman of Canaan's daughter cured.(24-30) Christ restores a man to hearing and speech.(31-37) **Verses 1-13** One great design of Christ's coming was, to set aside the ceremonial law; and to make way for this, he rejects the ceremonies men added to the law of God's making. Those ...
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Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

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KJV Study Commentary

Howbeit in vain do they worship me teaching doctrines commandments of men. In vain matēn empty futility. Worship sebomai reverence. Teaching didaskontes instruction. Doctrines didaskalias teachings. Commandments entalmata rules. Of men anthrōpōn human origin. Human tradition substituted for divine command. Worship God rejected when mixed with human additions. Reformation principle sola scriptura. ...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(7) **In vain do they worship me.**—The word used here and in Matthew 15:9, is not that commonly used to express the outward act of homage, but one which expresses (as in Acts 18:13) inward devotion. **The commandments.**—The two Greek words used for “commandment” in this and the following verses are, as has been said in the Note on Matthew 15:9, not quite the same in meaning; that in this verse p...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**25. I will that thou give me by and by--**rather, "at once." **in a charger--**large, flat trencher. the head of John the Baptist.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 7 Chapter Outline The traditions of the elders.(1-13) What defiles the man.(14-23) The woman of Canaan's daughter cured.(24-30) Christ restores a man to hearing and speech.(31-37) **Verses 1-13** One great design of Christ's coming was, to set aside the ceremonial law; and to make way for this, he rejects the ceremonies men added to the law of God's making. Those ...
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For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Mark 7:8</strong> This passage continues Mark's fast-paced narrative demonstrating Jesus' divine authority, miraculous power, and confrontation with religious establishment. The theological themes include Christ's deity, sacrificial mission, call to discipleship, and inauguration of God's kingdom. Reformed interpretation emphasizes sovereign grace, substitutionary atonement, and transforma...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(8) **As the washing of pots and cups.**—Many of the better MSS. omit the whole of the latter part of this verse. On internal grounds, however, it is hardly likely that such words should have been added as a note, and it *is* likely enough that the passage should have been altered by a transcriber, to make it agree with the report in St. Matthew.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**26. And the king was exceeding sorry--**With his feelings regarding John, and the truths which so told upon his conscience from that preacher's lips, and after so often and carefully saving him from his paramour's rage, it must have been very galling to find himself at length entrapped by his own rash folly. **yet for his oath's sake--**See how men of no principle, but troublesome conscience, ...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 7 Chapter Outline The traditions of the elders.(1-13) What defiles the man.(14-23) The woman of Canaan's daughter cured.(24-30) Christ restores a man to hearing and speech.(31-37) **Verses 1-13** One great design of Christ's coming was, to set aside the ceremonial law; and to make way for this, he rejects the ceremonies men added to the law of God's making. Those ...
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And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. reject: or, frustrate

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Mark 7:9</strong> This passage continues Mark's fast-paced narrative demonstrating Jesus' divine authority, miraculous power, and confrontation with religious establishment. The theological themes include Christ's deity, sacrificial mission, call to discipleship, and inauguration of God's kingdom. Reformed interpretation emphasizes sovereign grace, substitutionary atonement, and transforma...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(9) **Full well ye reject.**—The adverb is peculiar to St. Mark, and has in it the ring of a scathing and indignant irony. The word “reject” is hardly formal enough, the Greek conveying the idea, as in Galatians 3:15, Hebrews 7:18, of “rescinding” or “repealing.” This the Pharisees practically did when they added traditions which pretended to be interpretations, but were in reality at variance wit...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**27. And immediately the king sent an executioner--**one of the guards in attendance. The word is Roman, denoting one of the Imperial Guard. **and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison--**after, it would seem, more than twelve months' imprisonment. Blessed martyr! Dark and cheerless was the end reserved for thee: but now thou hast thy Master's benediction,...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 7 Chapter Outline The traditions of the elders.(1-13) What defiles the man.(14-23) The woman of Canaan's daughter cured.(24-30) Christ restores a man to hearing and speech.(31-37) **Verses 1-13** One great design of Christ's coming was, to set aside the ceremonial law; and to make way for this, he rejects the ceremonies men added to the law of God's making. Those ...
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For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death:

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Mark 7:10</strong> This passage continues Mark's fast-paced narrative demonstrating Jesus' divine authority, miraculous power, and confrontation with religious establishment. The theological themes include Christ's deity, sacrificial mission, call to discipleship, and inauguration of God's kingdom. Reformed interpretation emphasizes sovereign grace, substitutionary atonement, and transform...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**28. And brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel: and the damsel gave it to her mother--**Herodias did not shed the blood of the stern reprover; she only got it done, and then gloated over it, as it streamed from the trunkless head.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 7 Chapter Outline The traditions of the elders.(1-13) What defiles the man.(14-23) The woman of Canaan's daughter cured.(24-30) Christ restores a man to hearing and speech.(31-37) **Verses 1-13** One great design of Christ's coming was, to set aside the ceremonial law; and to make way for this, he rejects the ceremonies men added to the law of God's making. Those ...
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But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Mark 7:11</strong> This passage continues Mark's fast-paced narrative demonstrating Jesus' divine authority, miraculous power, and confrontation with religious establishment. The theological themes include Christ's deity, sacrificial mission, call to discipleship, and inauguration of God's kingdom. Reformed interpretation emphasizes sovereign grace, substitutionary atonement, and transform...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(11) **It is Corban.**—The Hebrew word is peculiar to St. Mark. It occurs frequently in Leviticus and Numbers (*e.g.,* Leviticus 2:1; Leviticus 2:5; Numbers 7:3; Numbers 7:5), and is translated generally by “offering,” sometimes by “oblation” (Leviticus 2:13; Leviticus 3:1), but elsewhere in the Old Testament it only appears in Ezekiel 20:28; Ezekiel 40:43. It had come to be applied specifically (...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**29. And when his disciples heard of it--**that is, the Baptist's own disciples. **they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb--**"and went and told Jesus" (Mt 14:12). If these disciples had, up to this time, stood apart from Him, as adherents of John (Mt 11:2), perhaps they now came to Jesus, not without some secret reflection on Him for His seeming neglect of their master; but per...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 7 Chapter Outline The traditions of the elders.(1-13) What defiles the man.(14-23) The woman of Canaan's daughter cured.(24-30) Christ restores a man to hearing and speech.(31-37) **Verses 1-13** One great design of Christ's coming was, to set aside the ceremonial law; and to make way for this, he rejects the ceremonies men added to the law of God's making. Those ...
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And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother;

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Mark 7:12</strong> This passage continues Mark's fast-paced narrative demonstrating Jesus' divine authority, miraculous power, and confrontation with religious establishment. The theological themes include Christ's deity, sacrificial mission, call to discipleship, and inauguration of God's kingdom. Reformed interpretation emphasizes sovereign grace, substitutionary atonement, and transform...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**30. And the apostles gathered themselves together--**probably at Capernaum, on returning from their mission (Mr 6:7-13). **and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught--**Observe the various reasons He had for crossing to the other side. First, Matthew (Mt 14:13) says, that "when Jesus heard" of the murder of His faithful forerunner--from those attached disciples ...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 7 Chapter Outline The traditions of the elders.(1-13) What defiles the man.(14-23) The woman of Canaan's daughter cured.(24-30) Christ restores a man to hearing and speech.(31-37) **Verses 1-13** One great design of Christ's coming was, to set aside the ceremonial law; and to make way for this, he rejects the ceremonies men added to the law of God's making. Those ...
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Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Mark 7:13</strong> This passage continues Mark's fast-paced narrative demonstrating Jesus' divine authority, miraculous power, and confrontation with religious establishment. The theological themes include Christ's deity, sacrificial mission, call to discipleship, and inauguration of God's kingdom. Reformed interpretation emphasizes sovereign grace, substitutionary atonement, and transform...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(13) **Making the word of God of none effect.**—Again the Greek word is somewhat more technical, *making null and void, cancelling,* as in Galatians 3:17. **Through your tradition.**—Here the structure of the sentence points to the “tradition” as being the instrument with which the Law was made null and void. In Matthew 15:6 the meaning is slightly different (see Note there). **Many such like thin...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Chapter 7 Chapter Outline The traditions of the elders.(1-13) What defiles the man.(14-23) The woman of Canaan's daughter cured.(24-30) Christ restores a man to hearing and speech.(31-37) **Verses 1-13** One great design of Christ's coming was, to set aside the ceremonial law; and to make way for this, he rejects the ceremonies men added to the law of God's making. Those ...
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What Defiles a Person

And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand:

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>And when he had called all the people...</strong> Jesus teaches crowds about defilement. This passage demonstrates Christ's divine authority and teaching, challenging religious traditions while establishing kingdom principles. Reformed theology sees here the fulfillment of Old Testament promises and the pattern for New Covenant faith.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**32. And they departed into a desert place by ship privately--**"over the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias," says John (Joh 6:1), the only one of the Evangelists who so fully describes it; the others having written when their readers were supposed to know something of it, while the last wrote for those at a greater distance of time and place. This "desert place" is more definitely des...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 14-23** Our wicked thoughts and affections, words and actions, defile us, and these only. As a corrupt fountain sends forth corrupt streams, so does a corrupt heart send forth corrupt reasonings, corrupt appetites and passions, and all the wicked words and actions that come from them. A spiritual understanding of the law of God, and a sense of the evil of sin, will cause a man to seek...
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There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.

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KJV Study Commentary

Nothing from outside entering defiles but things coming out defile. Revolutionary teaching challenges ceremonial purity laws. External ritual cannot make spiritually clean. Defilement is internal moral not external physical. Heart is source of sin not diet. Jesus fulfilled ceremonial law showed its purpose pointing to greater reality. Reformed theology sees fulfillment of ceremonial law in Christ....
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**33. And the people--**the multitudes. **saw them departing, and many knew him--**The true reading would seem to be: "And many saw them departing, and knew or recognized [them]." **and ran afoot--**Here, perhaps, it should be rendered "by land"--running round by the head of the lake, and taking one of the fords of the river, so as to meet Jesus, who was crossing with the Twelve by ship. **t...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 14-23** Our wicked thoughts and affections, words and actions, defile us, and these only. As a corrupt fountain sends forth corrupt streams, so does a corrupt heart send forth corrupt reasonings, corrupt appetites and passions, and all the wicked words and actions that come from them. A spiritual understanding of the law of God, and a sense of the evil of sin, will cause a man to seek...
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If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Mark 7:16</strong> This passage continues Mark's fast-paced narrative demonstrating Jesus' divine authority, miraculous power, and confrontation with religious establishment. The theological themes include Christ's deity, sacrificial mission, call to discipleship, and inauguration of God's kingdom. Reformed interpretation emphasizes sovereign grace, substitutionary atonement, and transform...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(16) **If any man have ears to hear.**—It was with this formula that our Lord had closed some at least of His parables (Mark 4:9, Matthew 13:10). And it was probably this that led to the form which the inquiry of the disciples took when they came to ask their Master “concerning the parable.” The whole verse is, however, omitted in many of the best MSS., and may have been originally a marginal note...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**34. And Jesus, when he came out of the ship--**having gone on shore. **saw much people--**a great multitude. **and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd--**At the sight of the multitudes who had followed Him by land and even got before Him, He was so moved, as was His wont in such cases, with compassion, because they were like shepherdless sh...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 14-23** Our wicked thoughts and affections, words and actions, defile us, and these only. As a corrupt fountain sends forth corrupt streams, so does a corrupt heart send forth corrupt reasonings, corrupt appetites and passions, and all the wicked words and actions that come from them. A spiritual understanding of the law of God, and a sense of the evil of sin, will cause a man to seek...
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And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Mark 7:17</strong> This passage continues Mark's fast-paced narrative demonstrating Jesus' divine authority, miraculous power, and confrontation with religious establishment. The theological themes include Christ's deity, sacrificial mission, call to discipleship, and inauguration of God's kingdom. Reformed interpretation emphasizes sovereign grace, substitutionary atonement, and transform...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**35. And when the day was now far spent--**"began to wear away" or "decline," says Luke (Lu 9:12). Matthew (Mt 14:15) says, "when it was evening"; and yet he mentions a later evening of the same day (Mr 6:23). This earlier evening began at three P.M.; the latter began at sunset.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 14-23** Our wicked thoughts and affections, words and actions, defile us, and these only. As a corrupt fountain sends forth corrupt streams, so does a corrupt heart send forth corrupt reasonings, corrupt appetites and passions, and all the wicked words and actions that come from them. A spiritual understanding of the law of God, and a sense of the evil of sin, will cause a man to seek...
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And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him;

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Mark 7:18</strong> This passage continues Mark's fast-paced narrative demonstrating Jesus' divine authority, miraculous power, and confrontation with religious establishment. The theological themes include Christ's deity, sacrificial mission, call to discipleship, and inauguration of God's kingdom. Reformed interpretation emphasizes sovereign grace, substitutionary atonement, and transform...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**36. Send them away, that they may go into the country round about, and into the villages, and buy themselves bread: for they have nothing to eat--**John tells us (Joh 6:5, 6) that "Jesus said to Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? (And this He said to prove him: for He Himself knew what He would do)." The subject may have been introduced by some remark of the disciples; but th...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 14-23** Our wicked thoughts and affections, words and actions, defile us, and these only. As a corrupt fountain sends forth corrupt streams, so does a corrupt heart send forth corrupt reasonings, corrupt appetites and passions, and all the wicked words and actions that come from them. A spiritual understanding of the law of God, and a sense of the evil of sin, will cause a man to seek...
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Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Mark 7:19</strong> This passage continues Mark's fast-paced narrative demonstrating Jesus' divine authority, miraculous power, and confrontation with religious establishment. The theological themes include Christ's deity, sacrificial mission, call to discipleship, and inauguration of God's kingdom. Reformed interpretation emphasizes sovereign grace, substitutionary atonement, and transform...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(19) **It entereth not into his heart.**—The words are not in St. Matthew, and emphasise the contrast with what follows. The “heart” is, after the common Hebrew idiom, the symbol of the mind as well as the affections. (Comp. Proverbs 7:7; Proverbs 9:4; Proverbs 9:16; Proverbs 10:13, in all of which “understanding” stands for the Hebrew of “heart.”) **Purging all meats.**—This also is peculiar to S...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**37. He answered and said unto them--**"They need not depart" (Mt 14:10). **Give ye them to eat--**doubtless said to prepare them for what was to follow. **And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat?--**"Philip answered Him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little" (Joh 6:7).

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 14-23** Our wicked thoughts and affections, words and actions, defile us, and these only. As a corrupt fountain sends forth corrupt streams, so does a corrupt heart send forth corrupt reasonings, corrupt appetites and passions, and all the wicked words and actions that come from them. A spiritual understanding of the law of God, and a sense of the evil of sin, will cause a man to seek...
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And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Mark 7:20</strong> This passage continues Mark's fast-paced narrative demonstrating Jesus' divine authority, miraculous power, and confrontation with religious establishment. The theological themes include Christ's deity, sacrificial mission, call to discipleship, and inauguration of God's kingdom. Reformed interpretation emphasizes sovereign grace, substitutionary atonement, and transform...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**38. He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes--**John is more precise and full: "One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto Him, There is a lad here which hath five barley loaves and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?" (Joh 6:8, 9). Probably this was the whole stock of provisions then at the co...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 14-23** Our wicked thoughts and affections, words and actions, defile us, and these only. As a corrupt fountain sends forth corrupt streams, so does a corrupt heart send forth corrupt reasonings, corrupt appetites and passions, and all the wicked words and actions that come from them. A spiritual understanding of the law of God, and a sense of the evil of sin, will cause a man to seek...
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For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,

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KJV Study Commentary

From within out of heart proceed evil thoughts adulteries fornications murders. From within esōthen source. Heart kardias center of person. Proceed ekporeuetai originate come forth. Evil thoughts dialogismoi kakoi sinful intentions. List of sins follows. Heart is fountain of sin. Not environment circumstances upbringing but fallen nature. Total depravity doctrine humans utterly affected by sin eve...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**39. And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass--**or "green hay"; the rank grass of those bushy wastes. For, as John (Joh 6:10) notes, "there was much grass in the place."

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 14-23** Our wicked thoughts and affections, words and actions, defile us, and these only. As a corrupt fountain sends forth corrupt streams, so does a corrupt heart send forth corrupt reasonings, corrupt appetites and passions, and all the wicked words and actions that come from them. A spiritual understanding of the law of God, and a sense of the evil of sin, will cause a man to seek...
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Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: covetousness: Gr. covetousnesses, wickednesses

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Mark 7:22</strong> This passage continues Mark's fast-paced narrative demonstrating Jesus' divine authority, miraculous power, and confrontation with religious establishment. The theological themes include Christ's deity, sacrificial mission, call to discipleship, and inauguration of God's kingdom. Reformed interpretation emphasizes sovereign grace, substitutionary atonement, and transform...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(22) **Covetousness, wickedness.**—The Greek words for these are, like the preceding, in the plural, as pointing to the manifold forms in which the sins show themselves. **An evil eye.**—As explained by Matthew 20:15 (where see Note), the “evil eye” is that which looks askance on the good of others—*i.e.,* envy in its most malignant form. **Pride.**—Better, perhaps, *haughtiness.* This is the only...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**40. And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties--**Doubtless this was to show at a glance the number fed, and to enable all to witness in an orderly manner this glorious miracle.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 14-23** Our wicked thoughts and affections, words and actions, defile us, and these only. As a corrupt fountain sends forth corrupt streams, so does a corrupt heart send forth corrupt reasonings, corrupt appetites and passions, and all the wicked words and actions that come from them. A spiritual understanding of the law of God, and a sense of the evil of sin, will cause a man to seek...
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All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Mark 7:23</strong> This passage continues Mark's fast-paced narrative demonstrating Jesus' divine authority, miraculous power, and confrontation with religious establishment. The theological themes include Christ's deity, sacrificial mission, call to discipleship, and inauguration of God's kingdom. Reformed interpretation emphasizes sovereign grace, substitutionary atonement, and transform...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**41. And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven--**Thus would the most distant of them see distinctly what He was doing. **and blessed--**John (Joh 6:11) says, "And when he had given thanks." The sense is the same. This thanksgiving for the meal, and benediction of it as the food of thousands, was the crisis of the miracle. **and brake the loaves, and gav...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 14-23** Our wicked thoughts and affections, words and actions, defile us, and these only. As a corrupt fountain sends forth corrupt streams, so does a corrupt heart send forth corrupt reasonings, corrupt appetites and passions, and all the wicked words and actions that come from them. A spiritual understanding of the law of God, and a sense of the evil of sin, will cause a man to seek...
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The Syrophoenician Woman's Faith

And from thence he arose, and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and entered into an house, and would have no man know it: but he could not be hid.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Mark 7:24</strong> This passage continues Mark's fast-paced narrative demonstrating Jesus' divine authority, miraculous power, and confrontation with religious establishment. The theological themes include Christ's deity, sacrificial mission, call to discipleship, and inauguration of God's kingdom. Reformed interpretation emphasizes sovereign grace, substitutionary atonement, and transform...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(24-30) **And from thence he arose.**—See Notes on Matthew 15:21-28. **Tyre and Sidon.**—The better MSS. omit the latter name here, and reserve it for Mark 7:31, where see Note. **Entered into an house.**—The fact is peculiar to St. Mark, and seems specified as an indication of our Lord’s wish to avoid publicity.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**42. And they did all eat, and were filled--**All the four Evangelists mention this: and John (Joh 6:11) adds, "and likewise of the fishes, as much as they would"--to show that vast as was the multitude, and scanty the provisions, the meal to each and all of them was a plentiful one. "When they were filled, He said unto His disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost" (Jo...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 24-30** Christ never put any from him that fell at his feet, which a poor trembling soul may do. As she was a good woman, so a good mother. This sent her to Christ. His saying, Let the children first be filled, shows that there was mercy for the Gentiles, and not far off. She spoke, not as making light of the mercy, but magnifying the abundance of miraculous cures among the Jews, in c...
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For a certain woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of him, and came and fell at his feet:

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Mark 7:25</strong> This passage continues Mark's fast-paced narrative demonstrating Jesus' divine authority, miraculous power, and confrontation with religious establishment. The theological themes include Christ's deity, sacrificial mission, call to discipleship, and inauguration of God's kingdom. Reformed interpretation emphasizes sovereign grace, substitutionary atonement, and transform...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**43. And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes--**"Therefore (says Joh 6:13), they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten." The article here rendered "baskets" in all the four narratives was part of the luggage taken by Jews on a journey--to carry, it is s...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 24-30** Christ never put any from him that fell at his feet, which a poor trembling soul may do. As she was a good woman, so a good mother. This sent her to Christ. His saying, Let the children first be filled, shows that there was mercy for the Gentiles, and not far off. She spoke, not as making light of the mercy, but magnifying the abundance of miraculous cures among the Jews, in c...
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The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter. Greek: or, Gentile Greek: or, Gentile

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Mark 7:26</strong> This passage continues Mark's fast-paced narrative demonstrating Jesus' divine authority, miraculous power, and confrontation with religious establishment. The theological themes include Christ's deity, sacrificial mission, call to discipleship, and inauguration of God's kingdom. Reformed interpretation emphasizes sovereign grace, substitutionary atonement, and transform...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(26) **A Greek**—*i.e.,* in the sense which the word had gained in Palestine, a Gentile, as in Romans 1:16; Romans 2:9-10. The modern use of “Frank” in the East for Europeans of every country, offers an analogous extension of the original meaning of a name. **Syrophenician.**—The word, which occurs in Juvenal (*Sat. viii.* 159), may be noted as an instance of St. Mark’s tendency to use Latin forms...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**44. And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men--**"besides women and children" (Mt 14:21). Of these, however, there would probably not be many; as only the males were obliged to go to the approaching festival. Jesus Recrosses to the Western side of the Lake Walking on the Sea (Mr 6:45-56). One very important particular given by John alone (Joh 6:15) introduces this po...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 24-30** Christ never put any from him that fell at his feet, which a poor trembling soul may do. As she was a good woman, so a good mother. This sent her to Christ. His saying, Let the children first be filled, shows that there was mercy for the Gentiles, and not far off. She spoke, not as making light of the mercy, but magnifying the abundance of miraculous cures among the Jews, in c...
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But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Mark 7:27</strong> This passage continues Mark's fast-paced narrative demonstrating Jesus' divine authority, miraculous power, and confrontation with religious establishment. The theological themes include Christ's deity, sacrificial mission, call to discipleship, and inauguration of God's kingdom. Reformed interpretation emphasizes sovereign grace, substitutionary atonement, and transform...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(27) **Let the children first be filled.**—The precise form of the answer thus given is peculiar to St. Mark.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**45. And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before--**Him. **unto Bethsaida--**Bethsaida of Galilee (Joh 12:21). John (Joh 6:17) says they "went over the sea towards Capernaum"--the wind, probably, occasioning this slight deviation from the direction of Bethsaida. **while he sent away the people--**"the multitude." His object in this was...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 24-30** Christ never put any from him that fell at his feet, which a poor trembling soul may do. As she was a good woman, so a good mother. This sent her to Christ. His saying, Let the children first be filled, shows that there was mercy for the Gentiles, and not far off. She spoke, not as making light of the mercy, but magnifying the abundance of miraculous cures among the Jews, in c...
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And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Mark 7:28</strong> This passage continues Mark's fast-paced narrative demonstrating Jesus' divine authority, miraculous power, and confrontation with religious establishment. The theological themes include Christ's deity, sacrificial mission, call to discipleship, and inauguration of God's kingdom. Reformed interpretation emphasizes sovereign grace, substitutionary atonement, and transform...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(28) **Eat of the children’s crumbs.**—The form varies slightly from St. Matthew’s “the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table,” and has, perhaps, a certain vividness of antithesis.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**46. And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray--**thus at length getting that privacy and rest which He had vainly sought during the earlier part of the day; opportunity also to pour out His soul in connection with the extraordinary excitement in His favor that evening--which appears to have marked the zenith of His reputation, for it began to decline the very next day; ...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 24-30** Christ never put any from him that fell at his feet, which a poor trembling soul may do. As she was a good woman, so a good mother. This sent her to Christ. His saying, Let the children first be filled, shows that there was mercy for the Gentiles, and not far off. She spoke, not as making light of the mercy, but magnifying the abundance of miraculous cures among the Jews, in c...
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And he said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out</strong>—Jesus commends the Syrophoenician woman's persistent faith. Her humble response demonstrated both faith and theological insight, acknowledging Israel's priority while trusting God's abundance extends beyond Jewish boundaries. The Greek perfect tense indicates completed, permanent demon expulsion. Remarkably, Jesus heals at a distan...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(29) **For this saying go thy way.**—St. Mark omits the words “O woman, great is thy faith,” and puts the answer to the prayer in a somewhat more definite form than St. Matthew’s “Be it unto thee even as thou wilt.”

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**47. And when even was come--**the later evening (see on Mr 6:35). It had come even when the disciples embarked (Mt 14:23; Joh 6:16). **the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land--**John says (Joh 6:17), "It was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them." Perhaps they made no great effort to push across at first, having a lingering hope that their Master would yet join them, ...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 24-30** Christ never put any from him that fell at his feet, which a poor trembling soul may do. As she was a good woman, so a good mother. This sent her to Christ. His saying, Let the children first be filled, shows that there was mercy for the Gentiles, and not far off. She spoke, not as making light of the mercy, but magnifying the abundance of miraculous cures among the Jews, in c...
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And when she was come to her house, she found the devil gone out, and her daughter laid upon the bed.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>She found the devil gone out, and her daughter laid upon the bed</strong>—The mother witnesses the fulfilled promise. The daughter rests peacefully, no longer tormented. The Greek perfect participle emphasizes complete, permanent departure—exactly as Jesus declared. This demonstrates Christ's word reliability: He spoke deliverance, the woman believed, reality confirmed His promise. This mo...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(30) **Her daughter laid upon the bed.**—The graphic description, as usual, is characteristic of St. Mark.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**48. And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them--**putting forth all their strength to buffet the waves and bear on against a head wind, but to little effect. He "saw" this from His mountain top, and through the darkness of the night, for His heart was all with them: yet would He not go to their relief till His own time came. **and about the fourth watch of the night...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 24-30** Christ never put any from him that fell at his feet, which a poor trembling soul may do. As she was a good woman, so a good mother. This sent her to Christ. His saying, Let the children first be filled, shows that there was mercy for the Gentiles, and not far off. She spoke, not as making light of the mercy, but magnifying the abundance of miraculous cures among the Jews, in c...
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Jesus Heals a Deaf Man

And again, departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, he came unto the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Departing from Tyre and Sidon, through the Decapolis</strong>—Jesus's geographical movements are theologically significant. This circuitous route—through Sidon, then the Decapolis (ten cities), a Gentile region—indicates intentional ministry among Gentiles. The Decapolis was where Jesus healed the Gerasene demoniac who proclaimed what Jesus did (Mark 5:20). Now Jesus returns. Faithful witn...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(31) **Departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.**—The better MSS. give “from the coasts of Tyre through Sidon.” The latter city lay about twenty miles to the north. Accepting this reading, it marks the extreme limit of our Lord’s journeyings—we can hardly say of His ministry, for there is no indication that He went there as a preacher of the Kingdom. We may however, perhaps, trace the feeling ...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**49. But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out--**"for fear" (Mt 14:26). He would appear to them at first like a dark moving speck upon the waters; then as a human figure; but in the dark tempestuous sky, and not dreaming that it could be their Lord, they take it for a spirit. Compare Lu 24:37.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 31-37** Here is a cure of one that was deaf and dumb. Those who brought this poor man to Christ, besought him to observe the case, and put forth his power. Our Lord used more outward actions in the doing of this cure than usual. These were only signs of Christ's power to cure the man, to encourage his faith, and theirs that brought him. Though we find great variety in the cases and ma...
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And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech him to put his hand upon him.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>They bring one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech</strong>—The Greek describes difficulty speaking—possibly mute or severely impaired. This rare word appears in Isaiah 35:6's Septuagint, prophesying messianic signs: the lame leaping, the dumb tongue singing. Mark's vocabulary evokes Isaiah's prophecy, signaling Jesus fulfills messianic expectations. The crowd's request for ...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(32) **They bring unto him one that was deaf.**—The narrative that follows is peculiar to St. Mark. The locality is not named, but was probably somewhere near the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee. **Had an impediment in his speech.**—The English rendering is quite accurate, but it may be noted that the word which St. Mark uses stands for “dumb” in the Greek version of Isaiah 35:6, and may there...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**50. For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: It is I; be not afraid--**There is something in these two little words--given by Matthew, Mark and John (Mt 14:27; Mr 6:50; Joh 6:20)--"It is I," which from the mouth that spake it and the circumstances in which it was uttered, passes the power of language to express. Here wer...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 31-37** Here is a cure of one that was deaf and dumb. Those who brought this poor man to Christ, besought him to observe the case, and put forth his power. Our Lord used more outward actions in the doing of this cure than usual. These were only signs of Christ's power to cure the man, to encourage his faith, and theirs that brought him. Though we find great variety in the cases and ma...
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And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue;

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>He took him aside from the multitude</strong>—Jesus withdrew the man privately, demonstrating dignity sensitivity. Public spectacle was not Jesus's goal; healing the person was. This allowed undivided attention without overwhelming crowds. Jesus individualizes care. He <strong>put his fingers into his ears, and spit, and touched his tongue</strong>—employing physical actions communicating ...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(33) **He took him aside from the multitude.**—We trace in this, and in the manual acts that followed, the same tender considerateness for the infirmities of the sufferer as in our Lord’s treatment of the blind. (See Note on Matthew 9:29.) Here the man could not find in the pitying tones of the voice of the Healer that on which his faith could fasten, and the act came in to fill up the void.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**51. And he went up unto them into the ship--**John (Joh 6:21) says, "Then they willingly received him into the ship"--or rather, "Then were they willing to receive Him" (with reference to their previous terror); but implying also a glad welcome, their first fears now converted into wonder and delight. "And immediately," adds the beloved disciple, "they were at the land whither they went," or "we...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 31-37** Here is a cure of one that was deaf and dumb. Those who brought this poor man to Christ, besought him to observe the case, and put forth his power. Our Lord used more outward actions in the doing of this cure than usual. These were only signs of Christ's power to cure the man, to encourage his faith, and theirs that brought him. Though we find great variety in the cases and ma...
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And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Looking up to heaven, he sighed</strong>—Jesus's upward gaze directed the man's attention to heaven, the source of healing power. Though possessing intrinsic divine authority, Jesus modeled dependence on the Father (John 5:19). The Greek verb for sighed reveals Jesus's emotional response to human suffering—not clinical detachment but deep compassion. This echoes Romans 8:22-23, where creat...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(34) **Looking up to heaven, he sighed.**—The look, it is clear, implied prayer, as in John 11:41. The “sigh,” too, has its counterpart in the “groans” and “tears” of John 11:33; John 11:35; John 11:38, and finds its analogue in the sadness of sympathy which we feel at the sight of suffering, even when we know that we have the power to remove its cause. **Ephphatha.**—Another instance of St. Mark’...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**52. For they considered not the miracle of the loaves; for their heart was hardened--**What a singular statement! The meaning seems to be that if they had but "considered [reflected upon] the miracle of the loaves," wrought but a few hours before, they would have wondered at nothing which He might do within the whole circle of power and grace. Incidents on Landing (Mr 6:53-56). The details...
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 31-37** Here is a cure of one that was deaf and dumb. Those who brought this poor man to Christ, besought him to observe the case, and put forth his power. Our Lord used more outward actions in the doing of this cure than usual. These were only signs of Christ's power to cure the man, to encourage his faith, and theirs that brought him. Though we find great variety in the cases and ma...
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And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain</strong>—Mark's characteristic adverb emphasizes instantaneous healing. No gradual improvement—the ears were opened (passive voice: God acted), the tongue's bond was loosed. The imagery recalls Isaiah 58:6: loose the bonds of wickedness, let the oppressed go free. Jesus's healings embodied jubilee...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(35) **His ears.**—Literally, *his hearing,* or, as the word is in the plural, *his organs of hearing.* **The string of his tongue.**—Better, *bond,* that which confined and hampered his speech. (Comp. Luke 13:16.) There is no ground for thinking that St. Mark used the word in any anatomical sense, as the English word seems to suggest, for a “nerve” or “tendon,” as in the “eye-strings” of the orig...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**53. And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret--**from which the lake sometimes takes its name, stretching along its western shore. Capernaum was their landing-place (Joh 6:24, 25). **and drew to the shore--**a nautical phrase, nowhere else used in the New Testament.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 31-37** Here is a cure of one that was deaf and dumb. Those who brought this poor man to Christ, besought him to observe the case, and put forth his power. Our Lord used more outward actions in the doing of this cure than usual. These were only signs of Christ's power to cure the man, to encourage his faith, and theirs that brought him. Though we find great variety in the cases and ma...
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And he charged them that they should tell no man: but the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal they published it;

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>He charged them that they should tell no man</strong>—Jesus repeatedly commanded silence after healings, the messianic secret motif. Several explanations: (1) avoiding premature confrontation before His appointed hour; (2) popular messianic expectations focused on political liberation from Rome rather than spiritual salvation; (3) Jesus prioritized teaching and relationship over signs. <st...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**54. And when they were come out of the ship, straightway they knew him--**"immediately they recognized Him"; that is, the people did.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 31-37** Here is a cure of one that was deaf and dumb. Those who brought this poor man to Christ, besought him to observe the case, and put forth his power. Our Lord used more outward actions in the doing of this cure than usual. These were only signs of Christ's power to cure the man, to encourage his faith, and theirs that brought him. Though we find great variety in the cases and ma...
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And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Were beyond measure astonished. He hath done all things well</strong>—Mark intensifies Greek: exceedingly beyond measure astonishment, struck out of one's senses. Their amazement exceeded normal surprise—they witnessed something categorically unprecedented. This profound awe is appropriate response to divine in-breaking. The declaration <strong>he hath done all things well</strong> echoes ...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(37) **And the dumb to speak.**—We note the distinction between St. Mark’s accurate description in Mark 7:32, and the less precise language of popular amazement. Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission. Bible Hub

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**55. and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was--**At this period of our Lord's ministry the popular enthusiasm in His favor was at its height.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

**Verses 31-37** Here is a cure of one that was deaf and dumb. Those who brought this poor man to Christ, besought him to observe the case, and put forth his power. Our Lord used more outward actions in the doing of this cure than usual. These were only signs of Christ's power to cure the man, to encourage his faith, and theirs that brought him. Though we find great variety in the cases and ma...
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