Tradition, Inner Purity, and What Truly Defiles
Mark 7:1-23
Mark.7.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Και: CONJ
- συναγονται: VERB,pres,mid/pass,ind,3,pl
- προς: PREP
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- Φαρισαιοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- τινες: PRON,nom,pl,m
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- γραμματεων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- ελθοντες: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,pl,m
- απο: PREP
- Ιεροσολυμων: NOUN,gen,pl,n
Parallels
- Matthew 15:1 (verbal): Direct synoptic parallel: Matthew opens the same episode with ‘Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem,’ nearly identical wording and situation.
- Mark 7:5 (structural): Immediate continuation within Mark: the Pharisees and some scribes question Jesus about the tradition of the elders—same group and conflict developed in the next verse.
- Luke 5:30 (thematic): Early Lukan parallel showing Pharisees and scribes grumbling against Jesus for his associations—shares the motif of Pharisaic opposition to Jesus’ conduct and teaching.
- John 7:45-52 (thematic): Authorities sent from Jerusalem (chief priests and Pharisees) confront Jesus and his followers—parallels the motif of Jerusalem-based leaders coming to challenge Jesus.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around him.
- Now the Pharisees gathered together, with some scribes who had come from Jerusalem.
Mark.7.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ιδοντες: VERB,aor,act,ptc,nom,pl,m
- τινας: PRON,acc,pl,m
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- μαθητων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- οτι: CONJ
- κοιναις: ADJ,dat,pl,f
- χερσιν: NOUN,dat,pl,f
- τουτ᾽εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- ανιπτοις: ADJ,dat,pl,m
- εσθιουσιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- αρτους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
Parallels
- Matthew 15:2 (verbal): Direct Synoptic parallel: Pharisees and scribes complain that Jesus' disciples ‘transgress the tradition of the elders’ by eating with unwashed hands—same incident and complaint as Mark 7:2.
- Mark 7:5 (structural): Immediate narrative parallel within Mark: the Pharisees and scribes ask Jesus why his disciples do not walk according to the tradition of the elders, continuing the same episode begun in 7:2.
- Mark 7:8 (quotation): Jesus' response to the Pharisaic criticism accuses them of nullifying God's commandment by their tradition—direct doctrinal follow-up to the charge raised in 7:2 about ritual hand-washing.
- Mark 7:14-15 (thematic): Jesus' wider teaching in this passage explains that what goes into a person (e.g., food eaten with unwashed hands) does not defile, addressing the underlying issue raised in 7:2.
- Acts 10:15 (thematic): Peter’s vision declaring that what God has cleansed should not be called common echoes the challenge to purity/food rules in Mark 7:2 and the later New Testament re-evaluation of Jewish food/cleanliness distinctions.
Alternative generated candidates
- And when they saw that some of his disciples ate bread with defiled— that is, unwashed—hands, they found fault.
- And when they saw that some of his disciples ate with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed, they found fault.
Mark.7.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- γαρ: PART
- Φαρισαιοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- παντες: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- Ιουδαιοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- εαν: CONJ
- μη: PART
- πυγμη: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- νιψωνται: VERB,pres,mid/pass,subj,3,pl
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- χειρας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εσθιουσιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- κρατουντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- παραδοσιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- πρεσβυτερων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
Parallels
- Matthew 15:2-3 (verbal): Nearly identical charge: Pharisees ask why Jesus' disciples 'break the tradition of the elders' by not washing hands before they eat — a direct verbal parallel to Mark 7:3.
- Luke 11:38 (thematic): A Pharisee remarks that Jesus did not first 'wash' before the meal, reflecting the same expectation of ritual handwashing described in Mark 7:3.
- Mark 7:4 (structural): Immediate parallel within the same pericope that expands on the specific washing practices (cups, pots, couches) associated with the tradition mentioned in Mark 7:3.
- Exodus 30:18-21 (thematic): Prescribes washing of priests' hands and feet before ministering — an Old Testament precedent for ritual washing that underlies later Jewish purity practices distinct from the rabbinic 'tradition of the elders.'
- Isaiah 29:13 (allusion): Quoted later by Jesus in this passage (Mark 7:6–7) to criticize reliance on human traditions; thematically relates to Mark 7:3's mention of the 'tradition of the elders.'
Alternative generated candidates
- (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they first ritually wash their hands;
- For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they first wash their hands ceremonially, holding to the tradition of the elders.
Mark.7.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- απ᾽αγορας: PREP
- εαν: CONJ
- μη: PART
- βαπτισωνται: VERB,pres,mp,subj,3,pl
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εσθιουσιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- και: CONJ
- αλλα: CONJ
- πολλα: ADJ,acc,pl,n
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- α: PRON,nom,sg,n
- παρελαβον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- κρατειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- βαπτισμους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- ποτηριων: NOUN,gen,pl,neut
- και: CONJ
- ξεστων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- χαλκιων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- κλινων: NOUN,gen,pl,f
Parallels
- Matthew 15:2-20 (verbal): Direct parallel account of the same dispute about 'tradition of the elders' and the requirement to wash hands before eating; Matthew preserves similar wording and Jesus' teaching on defilement from within.
- Luke 11:37-41 (verbal): Parallel incident in which a Pharisee is surprised Jesus did not ritually wash before the meal; Jesus again critiques external purity while ignoring justice and inward righteousness.
- Mark 7:8-9 (verbal): Immediate literary parallel within Mark where Jesus condemns human traditions that nullify God's commandments—provides the interpretive point for the ritual washings mentioned in v.4.
- Matthew 23:23-24 (thematic): Jesus' broader denunciation of Pharisaic legalism and misplaced priorities (scrupulous external observance vs. neglect of weightier matters) echoes the critique implicit in Mark 7:4–8.
- Leviticus 15:16-17 (structural): Representative Torah regulations about bodily discharges and required bathing that provide the background for Israelite purity practices; highlights contrast between biblical purity laws and later rabbinic hand‑washing traditions.
Alternative generated candidates
- and when they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they purify themselves; and there are many other traditions they observe, such as the washing of cups, pitchers, and kettles.)
- And when they come from the marketplace they do not eat without first washing; and there are many other traditions they observe—washing cups, pitchers, and kettles.
Mark.7.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- επερωτωσιν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- Φαρισαιοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- γραμματεις·Δια: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- τι: PRON,int,nom,sg,n
- ου: PART,neg
- περιπατουσιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- μαθηται: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,2
- κατα: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- παραδοσιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- πρεσβυτερων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- αλλα: CONJ
- κοιναις: ADJ,dat,pl,f
- χερσιν: NOUN,dat,pl,f
- εσθιουσιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- αρτον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Matthew 15:2 (verbal): Direct parallel account of the Pharisees and scribes asking Jesus why his disciples break the tradition by not washing hands before eating.
- Mark 7:3-4 (structural): Immediate context in Mark that explains the 'tradition of the elders' (hand‑washing ritual) which the Pharisees invoke in v.5.
- Isaiah 29:13 (quotation): Jesus later cites this verse ('these people honor me with their lips...') to criticize religious reliance on human tradition — a key interpretive link for his response to the question in v.5.
- Luke 11:38 (thematic): Parallel incident where a Pharisee notices Jesus has not washed before a meal; both passages address concerns about ritual washing and Pharisaic expectations.
- Matthew 23:23 (thematic): Jesus' broader critique of the Pharisees' focus on minor traditions/externals while neglecting weightier matters mirrors the issue raised by the question in Mark 7:5.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?”
- And the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, "Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with unwashed hands?"
Mark.7.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- ειπεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτοις·Καλως: PRON,dat,pl,3+ADV
- επροφητευσεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- Ησαιας: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- περι: PREP
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- υποκριτων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- ως: ADV
- γεγραπται: VERB,perf,pass,ind,3,sg
- οτι: CONJ
- Ουτος: DEM,nom,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- λαος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- χειλεσιν: NOUN,dat,pl,n
- με: PRON,acc,sg,1
- τιμα: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- δε: CONJ
- καρδια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- πορρω: ADV
- απεχει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- απ᾽εμου·: PREP+PRON,gen,sg,1
Parallels
- Isaiah 29:13 (quotation): Direct source quoted by Jesus: 'This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me' (LXX/Hebrew context condemning hollow worship).
- Matthew 15:7-9 (verbal): Synoptic parallel where Jesus cites the same Isaiah text to rebuke the Pharisees for honoring God with lips while their hearts are elsewhere; wording closely parallels Mark's citation.
- Mark 7:7-8 (structural): Immediate continuation in the same pericope: Jesus expands the quotation to condemn vain worship and human traditions that nullify God's word.
- Matthew 23:27-28 (thematic): Jesus' denunciation of the Pharisees' outward religiosity and inward corruption echoes the theme of lip-service versus true heart-commitment.
- Luke 11:39-44 (thematic): Luke's parallel criticisms of Pharisaic hypocrisy (clean outside, full of wickedness inside) reflect the same contrast between external piety and spiritual inner distance from God.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me;
- And he answered them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, 'This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.'"
Mark.7.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ματην: ADV
- δε: CONJ
- σεβονται: VERB,pres,mp,ind,3,pl
- με: PRON,acc,sg,1
- διδασκοντες: PART,pres,act,nom,pl,m
- διδασκαλιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- ενταλματα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- ανθρωπων·: NOUN,gen,pl,m
Parallels
- Matthew 15:9 (verbal): Near-verbatim parallel in the Synoptic tradition: Jesus charges that they 'worship me in vain' and follow 'teachings/commandments of men,' echoing the same reproach in Matthew's version of the pericope.
- Isaiah 29:13 (quotation): Mark (and Matthew) explicitly draw on Isaiah 29:13 ('they honor me with their lips, but their heart is far from me') as the prophetic source behind the accusation of vain worship and human commandments.
- Matthew 23:27-28 (thematic): Jesus' broader denunciation of Pharisaic hypocrisy (outward piety disguising inner corruption) parallels the charge that ritual/teaching that stems from human tradition results in vain worship.
- Colossians 2:20-23 (thematic): Paul criticizes reliance on human regulations and ascetic rules that have an appearance of wisdom but are of no value in restraining the flesh—reflecting the New Testament theme opposing 'commandments of men' supplanting divine command.
Alternative generated candidates
- they worship me in vain, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”
- "In vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men."
Mark.7.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- αφεντες: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,pl,m
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- εντολην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- κρατειτε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- παραδοσιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- ανθρωπων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
Parallels
- Matthew 15:3 (verbal): Jesus asks why the Pharisees transgress God's commandment by their tradition, closely paralleling Mark 7:8's charge that people abandon God's command for human tradition.
- Matthew 15:9 (verbal): 'In vain they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men' echoes Mark 7:8's critique that human traditions are taught in place of God's commandments.
- Isaiah 29:13 (quotation): Quoted by Jesus in Mark 7:6–7; condemns worship that honors God with lips while following human rules—provides the prophetic basis for Mark 7:8.
- Colossians 2:8 (thematic): Warns against being taken captive by human philosophy and tradition rather than Christ—reflects the same concern that human traditions usurp divine instruction in Mark 7:8.
Alternative generated candidates
- You abandon the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.”
- "You leave the commandment of God and hold fast to the tradition of men."
Mark.7.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Και: CONJ
- ελεγεν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτοις·Καλως: PRON,dat,pl,3
- αθετειτε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- εντολην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ινα: CONJ
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- παραδοσιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- τηρησητε·: VERB,aor,act,subj,2,pl
Parallels
- Matthew 15:3 (verbal): Nearly identical rebuke: Jesus charges the Pharisees with nullifying God’s commandment in order to keep their own tradition.
- Mark 7:13 (verbal): Immediate continuation in Mark’s narrative: exposes how tradition can make void the word of God (same pericope and language).
- Isaiah 29:13 (quotation): Jesus (in vv. 6–7) cites Isaiah to accuse the people of honoring God with lips while following human teachings—background for the charge in v. 9.
- Matthew 23:23–24 (thematic): Jesus criticizes religious leaders for obsessing over minor ritual observances or traditions while neglecting the weightier matters of God’s law (justice, mercy, faith).
- Colossians 2:8 (thematic): Paul warns Christians against being taken captive by human tradition and philosophy that oppose Christ—echoes the New Testament concern about traditions superseding divine teaching.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he said to them, “You have a fine way of nullifying the commandment of God in order to uphold your tradition!
- And he said to them, "You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition!
Mark.7.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Μωυσης: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- γαρ: PART
- ειπεν·Τιμα: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg+VERB,pres,act,imp,2,sg
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- πατερα: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,2
- και: CONJ
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- μητερα: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,2
- και·Ο: CONJ+ART,nom,sg,m
- κακολογων: VERB,pres,act,ptcp,nom,sg,m
- πατερα: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- μητερα: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- θανατω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- τελευτατω·: VERB,pres,act,imp,3,sg
Parallels
- Exodus 20:12 (quotation): The Decalogue command 'Honor your father and your mother'—Mark cites the Mosaic law underlying Jesus' remark.
- Exodus 21:17 (quotation): Law stating 'Whoever curses his father or his mother shall be put to death'—provides the exact legal phrase Mark echoes about cursing parents.
- Leviticus 20:9 (quotation): Repeats the penalty for cursing one's parents ('shall surely be put to death'), reflecting the same legal tradition Mark invokes.
- Deuteronomy 5:16 (quotation): Deuteronomy's restatement of the command to honor parents parallels Exodus 20:12 and underlies Jesus' appeal to Mosaic law.
- Matthew 15:4 (structural): Parallel Gospel passage where Jesus (in a similar dispute about tradition) cites the same Mosaic injunction and the penalty for cursing parents.
Alternative generated candidates
- For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘Whoever speaks evil of father or mother shall be put to death.’”
- For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother,' and, 'Whoever speaks evil of father or mother shall surely be put to death.'
Mark.7.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- υμεις: PRON,nom,pl,2
- δε: CONJ
- λεγετε·Εαν: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- ειπη: VERB,aor,act,subj,3,sg
- ανθρωπος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- πατρι: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- μητρι·Κορβαν: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- Δωρον: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- εαν: CONJ
- εξ: PREP
- εμου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- ωφεληθης: VERB,aor,pass,subj,3,sg
Parallels
- Matthew 15:5-6 (verbal): Parallel narrative in Matthew using the same 'Corban' example; virtually the same saying condemning traditions that nullify obligations to parents.
- Mark 7:9-13 (structural): Immediate Markan context: the larger pericope where Jesus criticizes human tradition (including Corban), quotes Isaiah, and contrasts tradition with God's commandments.
- Exodus 20:12 (quotation): The fifth commandment 'Honor your father and your mother'—the divine law Jesus invokes as being undermined by the Corban practice.
- Isaiah 29:13 (quotation): Quoted earlier in the passage ('These people honor me with their lips...') to accuse those who maintain outward piety/tradition while disregarding God's commands such as care for parents.
Alternative generated candidates
- But you say, ‘If a man tells his father or his mother, “Corban”’—that is, an offering to God—
- But you say, 'If a man tells his father or his mother,
Mark.7.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ουκετι: ADV
- αφιετε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- ουδεν: PRON,acc,sg,n
- ποιησαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- πατρι: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- μητρι: NOUN,dat,sg,f
Parallels
- Mark 7:10 (quotation): Immediately parallels Mark 7:10–13 where Jesus cites Moses' command to 'honor your father and your mother' and sets up the critique of Corban; same legal/ethical material and wording context.
- Mark 7:11 (verbal): Verse immediately preceding 7:12 that explains the Corban formula ('If a man says to his father or mother... Corban')—provides the direct verbal context for the prohibition against neglecting parents.
- Matthew 15:4–6 (quotation): Matthew's parallel account reproduces Jesus' rebuke of those who nullify the command to honor parents by inventing Corban; closely parallels Mark's wording and argument (law vs. tradition).
- Exodus 20:12 (quotation): The Decalogue's command 'Honor your father and your mother' is the law Jesus invokes as being violated when tradition permits withholding support from parents—this is the authoritative law appealed to in Mark 7:12.
Alternative generated candidates
- then you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or mother,
Mark.7.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ακυρουντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,m,pl
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- λογον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- παραδοσει: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- παρεδωκατε·και: VERB,aor,act,ind,2,pl
- παρομοια: ADV
- τοιαυτα: ADJ,acc,pl,n
- πολλα: ADJ,acc,pl,n
- ποιειτε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
Parallels
- Matthew 15:6-9 (verbal): Direct parallel account of Jesus' rebuke — charges that the Pharisees nullify God's word by tradition and cites Isaiah; wording and argument closely correspond to Mark 7:13.
- Isaiah 29:13 (quotation): The OT source Jesus quotes earlier in the pericope ('this people honors me with their lips...' / 'in vain do they worship me') — used to accuse religious leaders of following human precepts instead of God's word.
- Matthew 23:23-28 (thematic): Jesus' broader denunciation of Pharisaic hypocrisy: focus on external traditions and neglect of justice, mercy and faithfulness — similar critique of placing tradition above God's commands.
- Colossians 2:8,20-23 (thematic): A Pauline warning against being taken captive by human tradition, philosophy, and regulations that have merely an appearance of wisdom — echoes the theme of traditions supplanting God's word.
Alternative generated candidates
- thus making void the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And many such things you do.”
Mark.7.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Και: CONJ
- προσκαλεσαμενος: VERB,aor,mid,ptc,nom,sg,m
- παλιν: ADV
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- οχλον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- ελεγεν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτοις·Ακουσατε: PRON,dat,pl,3+VERB,aor,act,imp,2,pl
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- παντες: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- συνετε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
Parallels
- Matthew 15:10 (verbal): Direct Synoptic parallel — Jesus calls the crowd and says 'Hear and understand,' nearly identical wording to Mark 7:14.
- Mark 4:9 (verbal): Jesus issues an explicit hearing command ('Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear'), echoing the imperative to listen in Mark 7:14.
- Mark 4:24 (verbal): Jesus warns listeners to pay close attention to what they hear ('Pay attention to what you hear'), paralleling the call to hear and understand in Mark 7:14.
- Luke 8:18 (thematic): Luke records a similar teaching injunction ('consider carefully how you listen'), thematically linked to Mark's call for the crowd to hear and comprehend.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he called the crowd to him again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand:
Mark.7.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ουδεν: PRON,nom,sg,n
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- εξωθεν: ADV
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- ανθρωπου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- εισπορευομενον: VERB,pres,mid,ptcp,nom,sg,n
- εις: PREP
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- δυναται: VERB,pres,mid,ind,3,sg
- κοινωσαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- αυτον·αλλα: PRON,acc,sg,m+CONJ
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- εκ: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- ανθρωπου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- εκπορευομενα: VERB,pres,mid,ptcp,nom,pl,n
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- κοινουντα: VERB,pres,act,ptcp,nom,pl,n
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- ανθρωπον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Matthew 15:11 (verbal): Direct parallel saying in Matthew: 'Not what goes into the mouth defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth'—same teaching about external food vs. inner defilement.
- Matthew 15:17-20 (verbal): Matthew's expanded explanation of the saying: Jesus explains that what enters the mouth does not defile but what proceeds from the heart (listed sins) defiles—verbal amplification of Mark 7:15.
- Mark 7:18-23 (structural): Immediate contextual follow-up in Mark where Jesus explains to his disciples that evil thoughts/acts from the heart (sexual immorality, theft, etc.) are what defile a person—same pericope developing the statement.
- Acts 10:9-16 (esp. v.15) (thematic): Peter's vision ('What God has cleansed, do not call common/unclean') thematically connects to Jesus' redefinition of 'clean' and 'unclean'—shifting focus from food laws to divine judgment and inner purity.
- Romans 14:14 (thematic): Paul's statement ('I know and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself') echoes the move away from viewing certain foods as inherently defiling and reflects concern for conscience rather than ritual impurity.
Alternative generated candidates
- there is nothing outside a person that entering into him can defile him; but the things that come out of a person are what defile him.”
Mark.7.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Και: CONJ
- οτε: CONJ
- εισηλθεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- εις: PREP
- οικον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- απο: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- οχλου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- επηρωτων: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- μαθηται: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- παραβολην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- Matthew 15:15 (verbal): Synoptic parallel to Mark 7:17 — after the teaching on purity the disciples ask Jesus to explain the parable/teaching (very similar wording).
- Matthew 13:36 (structural): After a public parable Jesus goes into a house and the disciples ask privately for an explanation — the same narrative pattern of public teaching followed by private clarification.
- Mark 4:10-13 (verbal): In the context of the parable of the sower the disciples (and the twelve) ask Jesus privately about the parable — parallel in function and phrasing within Mark.
- Mark 4:33-34 (thematic): States the general principle that Jesus taught the crowds in parables but explained things privately to his disciples, providing the theological rationale for the private question in Mark 7:17.
- Luke 8:9 (verbal): Lukan parallel to the disciples’ question about a parable (the sower) — similar brief formula: the disciples ask Jesus what the parable means.
Alternative generated candidates
- And when he had entered the house away from the crowd, his disciples asked him about the saying.
Mark.7.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- λεγει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτοις·Ουτως: PRON,dat,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- υμεις: PRON,nom,pl,2
- ασυνετοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- εστε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- ου: PART,neg
- νοειτε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- οτι: CONJ
- παν: ADJ,nom,sg,n
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- εξωθεν: ADV
- εισπορευομενον: VERB,pres,mid/pass,part,nom,sg,n
- εις: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- ανθρωπον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- ου: PART,neg
- δυναται: VERB,pres,mid,ind,3,sg
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- κοινωσαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
Parallels
- Matthew 15:17-20 (verbal): Matthew's parallel pericope repeats Jesus' teaching that what enters a person from outside cannot defile him and instead identifies evil as coming from the heart (verbal and conceptual parallel to Mark 7:18–20).
- Acts 10:15 (thematic): Peter's vision ('What God has made clean, do not call common') echoes the theme that external dietary distinctions do not determine purity—resonant with Jesus' claim that external things cannot defile a person.
- Romans 14:14 (thematic): Paul's statement that nothing is unclean in itself and that conscience, not external food, determines defilement reflects the same theological move away from external ritual impurity toward inner disposition.
- Leviticus 11 (structural): The Levitical food laws provide the background contrast: Mark 7:18 challenges the purity system embodied in Leviticus 11 by denying that ingested foods render a person ceremonially unclean.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he said to them, “Are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him?
Mark.7.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- οτι: CONJ
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εισπορευεται: VERB,pres,mid,ind,3,sg
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- εις: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- καρδιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- αλλ᾽εις: CONJ+PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- κοιλιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- εις: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- αφεδρωνα: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- εκπορευεται;: VERB,pres,mid/pass,ind,3,sg
- καθαριζων: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,sg,m
- παντα: ADJ,nom,pl,n
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- βρωματα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
Parallels
- Matthew 15:17-20 (verbal): Parallel Synoptic account: Jesus explains that what enters the mouth does not defile but what comes out of the heart does, with a similar list of evils—verbal and thematic correspondence to Mark 7:19.
- Acts 10:13-15 (allusion): Peter's vision where a voice declares unclean animals clean; echoes Mark's report that Jesus 'declared all foods clean,' applying the same reversal of purity categories to food.
- Romans 14:14 (thematic): Paul's statement that nothing is impure in itself and is clean, reflecting the theological consequence of Jesus' teaching that food does not defile the person.
- 1 Timothy 4:3-5 (thematic): Opposition to ascetic prohibitions of certain foods and affirmation that God-made food is to be received with thanksgiving and 'sanctified by the word of God and prayer'—resonates with Mark's 'cleansing all foods.'
Alternative generated candidates
- For it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and passes out into the latrine” — thus he declared all foods clean.
Mark.7.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ελεγεν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- δε: CONJ
- οτι: CONJ
- Το: ART,nom,sg,n
- εκ: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- ανθρωπου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- εκπορευομενον: VERB,pres,mid/pass,part,nom,sg,n
- εκεινο: PRON,nom,sg,n
- κοινοι: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- ανθρωπον·: NOUN,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Matthew 15:11 (verbal): Direct parallel teaching: what defiles a person is what proceeds from him, not what enters (same saying as in Mark).
- Matthew 15:18-20 (quotation): Expanded parallel that quotes the teaching and lists what proceeds from the heart (evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, etc.), closely matching Mark’s line of thought and examples.
- Luke 6:45 (verbal): Similar saying about internal origin of words and actions—'out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks'—emphasizing inner sources rather than external things.
- Mark 7:21-23 (structural): Immediate literary continuation in Mark that specifies the evil deeds and thoughts that come from within and thereby defile a person, illustrating v.20’s claim.
- Jeremiah 17:9 (thematic): Old Testament parallel on the deceitful and corrupt nature of the heart—supports the theme that inner disposition, not external ritual, is the source of moral defilement.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles the person.
Mark.7.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- εσωθεν: ADV
- γαρ: PART
- εκ: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- καρδιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- ανθρωπων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- διαλογισμοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- κακοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- εκπορευονται: VERB,pres,mid/pass,ind,3,pl
- πορνειαι: NOUN,nom,pl,f
- κλοπαι: NOUN,nom,pl,f
- φονοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
Parallels
- Matthew 15:19 (verbal): Nearly verbatim parallel of Jesus' saying—lists evil thoughts and deeds (fornication, thefts, murders) as proceeding from the heart.
- Luke 6:45 (thematic): Compares the heart to an inner source whose abundance produces words and deeds; echoes the idea that evil actions proceed from within.
- Proverbs 4:23 (structural): Old Testament proverb that treats the heart as the wellspring of life and action ('for out of it are the issues of life'), structurally paralleling Mark's teaching about origin of deeds.
- James 1:14-15 (thematic): Describes sin as arising from inner desire—temptation and desire lead to sin—supporting Mark's emphasis on inner sources of wrongdoing.
- Galatians 5:19-21 (thematic): Paul's catalogue of the 'works of the flesh' (including sexual immorality, impurity, murder, etc.) parallels Mark's list of sinful acts that flow from the heart.
Alternative generated candidates
- For from within, out of the heart of men, come evil intentions: sexual immorality, thefts, murders,
Mark.7.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- μοιχειαι: NOUN,nom,pl,f
- πλεονεξιαι: NOUN,nom,pl,f
- πονηριαι: NOUN,nom,pl,f
- δολος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ασελγεια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- οφθαλμος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- πονηρος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- βλασφημια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- υπερηφανια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- αφροσυνη·: NOUN,nom,sg,f
Parallels
- Matthew 15:19 (quotation): Matthew records the same saying of Jesus about evil things coming from the heart, listing many of the same vices (e.g., adultery, theft, false witness, slander).
- Luke 6:45 (structural): Luke expresses the same underlying principle—what is in the heart issues forth—linking inner disposition to outward evil actions and speech.
- Galatians 5:19–21 (verbal): Paul's catalogue of the 'works of the flesh' overlaps Mark's list (sexual immorality, sensuality, envy, drunkenness, orgies, etc.), using similar terminology for sinful behaviours.
- Romans 1:29–31 (thematic): Paul lists many vices (envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice, gossip, slander, arrogance, senselessness) that correspond closely to Mark's catalogue of evils originating in the heart.
Alternative generated candidates
- adultery, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, foolishness.
Mark.7.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- παντα: ADJ,nom,pl,n
- ταυτα: PRON,acc,pl,n
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- πονηρα: ADJ,nom,pl,neut
- εσωθεν: ADV
- εκπορευεται: VERB,pres,mp,ind,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- κοινοι: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- ανθρωπον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Matthew 15:19-20 (verbal): Near-verbatim parallel: Jesus identifies evil thoughts and deeds as arising from the heart and so defiling a person, closely matching Mark’s wording.
- Matthew 12:34-35 (thematic): Same teaching that what comes from the heart determines moral speech and action—good or evil flows out of the heart.
- Romans 7:18-20 (thematic): Paul’s reflection on sin dwelling within and producing wrongful acts parallels Mark’s emphasis on the inner origin of evil behavior.
- Jeremiah 17:9 (allusion): Prophetic claim that the heart is deceitful and sick resonates with Jesus’ assertion that evil issues from within the person.
- Galatians 5:19-21 (thematic): Catalogue of the 'works of the flesh' corresponds to Mark’s list of inwardly-originating sins that defile a person.
Alternative generated candidates
- All these evil things come from within, and they defile the person.”
And the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around him. And they observed that some of his disciples ate with defiled hands — that is, without washing them.
For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they first wash their hands, holding to the tradition of the elders. And when they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they wash; and there are many other traditions they observe, such as the washing of cups, pots, kettles, and beds. And the Pharisees and the scribes questioned him, 'Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?' And he answered them, 'Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written, “This people honor me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.”'
'In vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'
You abandon the commandment of God and hold fast to the tradition of men. And he said to them, 'You have a fine way of setting aside God's commandment in order to keep your tradition!'
For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and, 'Whoever speaks evil of father or mother must be put to death.'
'But you say, “If someone tells his father or his mother, ‘Whatever support you might have from me is Corban’ ” — that is, devoted to God —
then you no longer allow him to do anything for his father or his mother. Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And many similar things you do.' And he called the crowd again and said to them, 'Hear me, all of you, and understand:'
'There is nothing outside a person that entering into him can defile him; but the things that come out of a person are what defile him.' And when he had entered the house away from the crowd, his disciples questioned him about the saying. And he said to them, 'Then are you also without understanding? Do you not perceive that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him,
since it does not enter the heart but the stomach, and passes out into the latrine?' (Thus he declared all foods clean.) And he said, 'What comes out of a person is what defiles him.
For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder,
adultery, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness.
All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.'