Mark 7:9 - He said to them, “Full well do you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.
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What does "Mark 7:9" mean?
Mark 7:9 is a powerful statement by Jesus criticizing the religious leaders (primarily Pharisees) of his time for prioritizing their own traditions over the actual commandments of God. Let's break down what it means:
"He said to them...": This refers to Jesus speaking to the Pharisees and scribes who had questioned his disciples about not following certain Jewish traditions, particularly regarding handwashing before meals (as described in the preceding verses).
"Full well do you reject the commandment of God...": The phrase "full well" is often interpreted as sarcasm or strong condemnation. Jesus is accusing them of deliberately and knowingly disregarding God's clear commands. The "commandment of God" here refers to specific moral or ethical laws laid out in the Old Testament (the Law of Moses).
"...that you may keep your tradition.": This is the core of the problem. The Pharisees had developed a complex system of oral traditions, interpretations, and customs that they considered equally or even more important than the written Law. Jesus accuses them of twisting or even nullifying God's commandments in order to maintain and uphold these human-made traditions. They were prioritizing the customs passed down through generations over the explicit commands of God.
In essence, Jesus is saying:
"You are experts at finding ways to get around God's commands so that you can stick to your own traditions."
Key Implications and Interpretations:
Hypocrisy: Jesus highlights the hypocrisy of the religious leaders, who appear outwardly pious but are more concerned with maintaining their own authority and system than with truly following God.
The Priority of God's Word: The verse emphasizes the importance of prioritizing God's actual commands over human-made rules and traditions. God's word should be the ultimate authority.
Danger of Legalism: The passage warns against legalism, which is the excessive adherence to rules and regulations, often at the expense of genuine faith, compassion, and love for God and others.
Relevance Today: The verse is still relevant today as it reminds us to examine our own beliefs and practices. Are we truly following God's word, or are we simply adhering to traditions that have become more important than the principles they were meant to uphold? Are we allowing cultural norms or personal preferences to override God's clear instructions?
Example:
In the context of Mark 7, Jesus goes on to illustrate this point by citing the example of Corban (a gift dedicated to God). The Pharisees had a tradition that allowed people to vow to dedicate their property to God (making it Corban), which then excused them from using that property to care for their aging parents. Jesus argues that this tradition directly contradicted the commandment to honor one's father and mother, effectively allowing people to neglect their familial obligations in the name of religious piety.
In summary, Mark 7:9 is a strong rebuke against prioritizing human traditions over God's commandments, exposing the hypocrisy of religious leaders and highlighting the importance of genuine obedience to God's word.
Mark 7:9 - He said to them, “Full well do you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.
What does "Mark 7:9" mean?
Mark 7:9 is a powerful statement by Jesus criticizing the religious leaders (primarily Pharisees) of his time for prioritizing their own traditions over the actual commandments of God. Let's break down what it means:
"He said to them...": This refers to Jesus speaking to the Pharisees and scribes who had questioned his disciples about not following certain Jewish traditions, particularly regarding handwashing before meals (as described in the preceding verses).
"Full well do you reject the commandment of God...": The phrase "full well" is often interpreted as sarcasm or strong condemnation. Jesus is accusing them of deliberately and knowingly disregarding God's clear commands. The "commandment of God" here refers to specific moral or ethical laws laid out in the Old Testament (the Law of Moses).
"...that you may keep your tradition.": This is the core of the problem. The Pharisees had developed a complex system of oral traditions, interpretations, and customs that they considered equally or even more important than the written Law. Jesus accuses them of twisting or even nullifying God's commandments in order to maintain and uphold these human-made traditions. They were prioritizing the customs passed down through generations over the explicit commands of God.
In essence, Jesus is saying:
"You are experts at finding ways to get around God's commands so that you can stick to your own traditions."
Key Implications and Interpretations:
Hypocrisy: Jesus highlights the hypocrisy of the religious leaders, who appear outwardly pious but are more concerned with maintaining their own authority and system than with truly following God.
The Priority of God's Word: The verse emphasizes the importance of prioritizing God's actual commands over human-made rules and traditions. God's word should be the ultimate authority.
Danger of Legalism: The passage warns against legalism, which is the excessive adherence to rules and regulations, often at the expense of genuine faith, compassion, and love for God and others.
Relevance Today: The verse is still relevant today as it reminds us to examine our own beliefs and practices. Are we truly following God's word, or are we simply adhering to traditions that have become more important than the principles they were meant to uphold? Are we allowing cultural norms or personal preferences to override God's clear instructions?
Example:
In the context of Mark 7, Jesus goes on to illustrate this point by citing the example of Corban (a gift dedicated to God). The Pharisees had a tradition that allowed people to vow to dedicate their property to God (making it Corban), which then excused them from using that property to care for their aging parents. Jesus argues that this tradition directly contradicted the commandment to honor one's father and mother, effectively allowing people to neglect their familial obligations in the name of religious piety.
In summary, Mark 7:9 is a strong rebuke against prioritizing human traditions over God's commandments, exposing the hypocrisy of religious leaders and highlighting the importance of genuine obedience to God's word.