The Gospel of Mark: A Serving Savior

Lesson 9 “Title of the Lesson” Mark 7:1-37

ID: Inductive Questions (Asking the text questions like who, what, where, when, why, & how?”)

CR: Cross References (Comparing Scripture to Scripture, understanding the vague by the clear.)

WS: Word Study (Understanding definition, theological meaning, and usages in other passages.)

The WORD: What does the Bible say?

Context: Read Mark 6:54-8:3 to help understand the context of this passage. Read Mark 7:1-37in a more literal or more dynamic translation than you usually use. Read Deuteronomy 5:16; Exodus 20:12 and 17, Proverbs 20:20, and Isaiah 29:13 for helpful background on OT allusions in this passage.

  1. CR: (7:1-7) What was the original context of the quote fromIsaiah? How did the Pharisees’ rule about washing illustrate Isaiah 29:13?
  2. WS/CR: (7:9-13) What was Corban? How could dedicating money to God be a bad thing? What do these verses teach us about the fifth commandment?(Exodus 21:17; Leviticus 19:3; 20:9; Deuteronomy 5:16; 27:16; Proverbs 23:22; 30:17; Ephesians 6:1)
  3. WS/ID: (7:14-23) Whatproceeds from the heart and defiles (koinoō) a man? Do you notice any groupings or progression in this list? Were there any that you didn’t expect to be in this list?
  4. CR: (27:24-30) Why did Jesus hesitate to heal the Syro-PhoenicianGreek woman’s child? What was so remarkable about her answer? (Matt. 15:21–28)
  5. CR: (7:31-37) How did Jesus come into contact with the deaf man with the speech impediment? What was the response of the people to the healing?

The WALK: What should I do?

  1. Does the expression “tradition of the elders” have any relevance for us today? What traditions or culturalapplications of a Scriptural principle have we, in effect, put on the level of Scripture?
  2. Do we ever make the Word of God of no effect through our traditions?
  3. Does the way we follow the admonition to honor our parents change as we grow older? How or why not?
  4. What does the use of the particular Greek word for “defiles” (Walk question 3) in verses 7:20-23 teach us about sins?
  5. One commentary described the Syro-Phonesian woman’s faith as “holy chutzpah.” What do you think about that description and her interaction with Jesus? What lessons can we learn from her?
  6. Where in this passage do we see Gospel truths about God, Man, Christ, and our response? Going Beyond: Something to memorize or study further.

Going Beyond: What areas of theology are touched on in this passage?

 The Bible  God  God the Father  JesusChrist  The Holy Spirit  Man  Salvation  The Church  Angels & Satan  Future Things –

Question: "What does the Bible mean when it says something is unclean?"

Answer: The Hebrew word translated “unclean” in Leviticus is used nearly one hundred times in this one book, clearly emphasizing “clean” status versus “unclean.” Animals, objects, food, clothing, and even people could be considered “unclean.”

Generally, the Mosaic Law spoke of something as “unclean” if it was unfit to use in worship to God. Being “clean” or “unclean” was a ceremonial designation governing the ritual of corporate worship. For example, there were certain animals, like pigs, considered unclean and therefore not to be used in sacrifices (Leviticus 5:2); and there were certain actions, like touching a dead body, that made a living person unclean and temporarily unable to participate in the worship ceremony (Leviticus 5:3).

Leviticus 10:10 taught, “You are to distinguish between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean” (ESV). The parallel between “holy” and “clean” (and “common” and “unclean”) reveals that the command was related to one’s spiritual condition, though physical actions were often involved.

Certain foods were unclean for Jews and forbidden for them to eat, such as pork, certain fish, and certain birds. A skin infection could make a person unclean or unfit for presence at the tabernacle or even in the community (Leviticus 13:3). A house with certain kinds of mold was unclean. A woman was unclean for a period of time following childbirth. On holy days couples were restricted from engaging in sexual activity as the release of semen made them unclean until evening (Leviticus 15:18).

While a wide variety of circumstances could make a person, animal, or item unclean, the majority of the laws concerned activities disqualifying a person or animal in connection with the tabernacle offerings. An animal offered for sacrifice had to be without defect. The person who offered the sacrifice also had to be “clean” before the Law; i.e., the worshiper had to comply with the Law and approach God with reverence.

In the New Testament, Jesus used the idea of being “clean” to speak of being holy. In Luke 11:39–41 He says to the Pharisees, “Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? But now as for what is inside you–be generous to the poor, and everything will be clean for you.”

“Clean” and “unclean” were concepts very familiar to those under the Old Testament Law. God called His people to separate themselves from the impurities of the world. The principle of being clean crosses into the New Testament as well, with the idea of living spiritually pure (2 Corinthians 6:17) and seeking to be holy, living a life worthy of our calling (Colossians1:10).

Recommended Resources: A Biblical Theology of the Old Testament edited by Roy Zuck and Logos Bible Software.

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An Apparent Contradiction of Ezekiel’s Prophecy

From The Skeptic’s Bible

(7:24, 31) "And from thence he arose, and went into the borders of Tyre."
Ezekiel (26:14, 21, 27:36) prophesied that Tyre would be completely destroyed, never to be built again. But it wasn't destroyed and continued to exist, as shown by this verse in which Jesus visits Tyre.

From The Skeptic’s Bible Answered

But Isaiah had alreadyprophesied (Is. 23:15) that Tyre would be rebuilt. Therefore, as John Gill comments, this should not be understood as if Tyre would never be completely rebuilt, but it should be understood as not rebuilt in the same grandeur and occupy the same position among the nations.
But there are more layers in this prophesy. Tyre was also destroyed by Alexander. And it was he who destroyed the city completely. And by founding Alexandria he changed the track of commerce forever.

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