King James Version

What Does Mark 7:6 Mean?

Mark 7:6 in the King James Version says “He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth m... — study this verse from Mark chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

Mark 7:6 · KJV


Context

4

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

5

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?

6

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.

7

Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

8

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.


Commentary

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. External religion without internal reality. Form without substance. Going through motions. Reformed theology emphasizes distinction between form and power of religion. Outward observance does not equal salvation. Circumcision of heart not just flesh. True faith internal transformation visible in life but rooted in heart. External conformity without internal change is hypocrisy.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Pharisees criticized disciples for eating without washing hands (tradition not Torah requirement). Jesus responds by exposing their hypocrisy. External ritual without heart devotion is empty. Isaiah condemned similar problem 700 years earlier same issue persists. Human religion tends toward externalism ritual tradition at expense of heart. Medieval church fell into same trap. Reformation emphasized internal faith external works flow from inner reality not produce it. Sola fide by faith alone external religion cannot save. Must be born again internal transformation. Modern church battles same issue church attendance religious activity without genuine conversion relationship with Christ.

Reflection Questions

  1. What is difference between external religious observance and genuine heart devotion?
  2. How does human religion tend toward ritual tradition at expense of true faith and what is remedy?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 30 words
1 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δὲ2 of 30

and

G1161

but, and, etc

ἀποκριθεὶς3 of 30

He answered

G611

to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)

εἶπεν4 of 30

said

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

αὐτῶν5 of 30

their

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ὅτι6 of 30
G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

Καλῶς7 of 30

Well

G2573

well (usually morally)

προεφήτευσεν8 of 30

prophesied

G4395

to foretell events, divine, speak under inspiration, exercise the prophetic office

Ἠσαΐας9 of 30

hath Esaias

G2268

hesaias (i.e., jeshajah), an israelite

περὶ10 of 30

of

G4012

properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas

ὑμῶν11 of 30

you

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

τῶν12 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὑποκριτῶν13 of 30

hypocrites

G5273

an actor under an assumed character (stage-player), i.e., (figuratively) a dissembler ("hypocrite"

ὡς14 of 30

as

G5613

which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)

γέγραπται15 of 30

it is written

G1125

to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe

Οὗτος16 of 30

This

G3778

the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)

17 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

λαὸς18 of 30

people

G2992

a people (in general; thus differing from g1218, which denotes one's own populace)

τοῖς19 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

χείλεσίν20 of 30

with their lips

G5491

a lip (as a pouring place); figuratively, a margin (of water)

με21 of 30

me

G3165

me

τιμᾷ22 of 30

honoureth

G5091

to prize, i.e., fix a valuation upon; by implication, to revere

23 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δὲ24 of 30

and

G1161

but, and, etc

καρδία25 of 30

heart

G2588

the heart, i.e., (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle

αὐτῶν26 of 30

their

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

πόῤῥω27 of 30

far

G4206

forwards, i.e., at a distance

ἀπέχει28 of 30

is

G568

(actively) to have out, i.e., receive in full; (intransitively) to keep (oneself) away, i.e., be distant (literally or figuratively)

ἀπ'29 of 30

from

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

ἐμοῦ·30 of 30

me

G1700

of me


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Mark. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Mark 7:6 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Mark 7:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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