Bible Commentaries

Then some Pharisees and teachers of the Law. They came to protest against Jesus and his teaching, and to turn the people back to the Tradition. See Mark 7:1-13 for a more complete account.

Why is it that your disciples disobey? Not God's Law, but the teaching handed down by the ancestors. These teachings formed an "unwritten law" which they followed carefully (see Galatians 1:14), In the proper way. A religious ritual. It was said that Rabbi Akiba, put in prison by the Romans and with barely enough water to stay alive, used it for ritual washing. Note that these bigots even knew the way in which the disciples ate their meals.

Jesus answered, "And why do you . . .?" He does not deny their charge, but shows that their "unwritten law" caused them to break God's Law.

For God said. (Exodus 21:7) Only God has the right to make religious laws. Jesus quotes one which they did not follow, and the punishment for breaking it.

But you teach. Their Tradition said just the opposite of God's command. This belongs to God. CORBAN. The teachers of the Law said that if a person said about his money and property, "This belongs to God," he did not have to take care of this mother and father, even though he did not use his money and property for religious causes.

This is how. They contradicted God by what they taught. Church tradition can lead to dogma that directly contradicts what God has said. The PRIMAL FORM of the church of Christ became distorted due to the dogma of tradition.

Yon hypocrites! One who fools himself as well as one who fools others. Jesus quotes Isaiah 29:13 to show God's evaluation of them.

These people . . . honor me with their words. Talk is cheap. True worship involves the heart as well (See Romans 12:1-2).

It is no use for them. Their worship is a waste of time. Because they teach Acts 10:9-16] to demonstrate moral purity, but the teachers of the Law seriously distorted these through their traditions. What comes out. This shows the true man. See Matthew 15:16-20.

Had their feelings hurt? Because he "kicked" their Tradition. Perhaps even the disciples felt some of this themselves.

Every plant . . . will be polled up. Some ideas are harmless, some are harmful, but only God's Truth will stand the test. Since we "act out" what we believe, everyone who bases their hope on " Matthew 13:30).

Don't worry about them. Don't be concerned by the hurt feelings and the opposition of the Pharisees and teachers of the Law. They are blind leaders. They claim to be spiritual guides, but they cannot find their own way, much less lead others.

Tell us what this parable means. Peter is aware that there is a deep meaning to this (in what Jesus said in Matthew 15:11).

16-17. Jesus said to them. His disciples still cannot think in spiritual terms. The things eaten, pass through the body and are expelled. Such things cannot defile the soul.

18-19. For from his heart. The heart symbolizes the "real man." Evil actions and evil words begin from evil ideas. Compare Matthew 7:15-20.

These are the things. Sin makes a man unclean in the eyes of God. (Galatians 5:19-21).

Jesus left that place. Tyre and Sidon are cities of Phoenicia on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea about one hundred miles northwest of Jerusalem. Tyre was the leading seaport. These were Gentile cities in a Gentile country, and this was the only time Jesus went outside Palestine.

A Canaanite woman. Mark says she was a foreigner, born in Phoenicia of Syria. Son of David. She knew the prophecies. Two bright examples of faith are this woman and the Roman officer (Matthew 8:8-9). Have mercy on me. Her daughter's problem is her own. She begs a favor from Jesus. A demon. (See Matthew 8:28-29).

But Jesus did not say a word to her. He acted this way in order to be able to teach an important lesson here.

I have been sent only to. His personal mission was only to the Jews, and his disciples were sent only to the Jews (Matthew 10:5-6). But after he was crucified and raised to glory, God canceled the binding rules, nailing them to his cross (Colossians 2:13-14). The Great Commission sent the followers of Christ to the whole world (Mark 16:15-16).

Help me, sir! She "fell at his feet" (see note on Revelation 5:14). She would not give up!

It isn't right. What he said was not an insult, but normal Jewish language emphasizing the separation between Jew and Gentile. Jesus is giving her an opportunity to declare her faith.

But even the dogs eat the leftovers. She admits the truth of what Jesus said, but will not give up asking him to help her daughter.

You are a woman of great faith. She showed her great faith by: (1) She came to Christ in spite of the separation between Jew and Gentile. (2) She did not give up even when her prayer seemed unanswered. (3) She did not give up when arguments against her were presented. (4) She continued until her request was answered (compare Luke 18:1-8). Her daughter was healed. Immediately! Mark's account follows her home to find the daughter lying on the bed, with the demon gone.

And went along by Lake Galilee. Mark tells that Jesus circled around to come through the territory of the Ten Towns to reach Lake Galilee. Mark mentions a miracle not recorded by the others (Mark 7:32-37).

Large crowds came to him. People will sacrifice their health to make a fortune, and then spend their fortune to try to recapture health. Jesus was a true healer, and very popular.

The people were amazed. Some of these who were healed, were their own kinfolk. The truth of what Jesus was doing amazed them! They praised the God of Israel. The miracles which Christ did caused people to praise Jehovah ]God the Father], although used of Christ in Psalm 97:7, quoted in Hebrews 1:6; Isaiah 40:3, quoted in Matthew 3:1-3; Jeremiah 23:5-6, quoted in Revelation 22:6; Revelation 22:16.].

I feel sorry for these people. They had been with him on the hill for three days, without regular food.

Where will we find enough food? Their question is a hint to Jesus to perform a miracle.

How much bread do you have? "Seven loaves and a few small fish." Compare this with Matthew 14:15-21.

35-37. So Jesus ordered the crowd to sit down. Again, Jesus gives thanks to the Father, asking him to bless this food, and breaks it in pieces. All have enough to eat, and seven baskets full of pieces are gathered up.

Four thousand men. Not quite as many as the former feeding of five thousand men.

Then Jesus sent the people away. To rest. Also, he could not allow the people to make him an earthly king, since his mission was to be God's sacrifice (Luke 9:31 : Colossians 1:20). Jesus gets into a boat and goes to the territory of Magdan (Mark says Dalmanutha) near Magdala, about three miles north of Tiberias on the western shore of Lake Galilee.