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Verse Takeaways
1
Ritual Purity, Not Hygiene
Commentators explain that the extensive washing rituals described were not about physical cleanliness. They were part of the 'tradition of the elders,' designed to maintain ceremonial purity by removing any potential defilement from contact with Gentiles or non-observant Jews in the marketplace. This focus on external, man-made rules is what Jesus will challenge.
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Mark
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Commentaries
6
Albert Barnes
On Mark 7:4
18th Century
Theologian
Market. This word means either the place where provisions were sold, or the place where people were gathered for any purpose. In this cont…
AT Robertson
On Mark 7:4
From the marketplace (απ' αγορας). Ceremonial defilement was inevitable in the mixing with men in public. This αγορα from αγειρω t…
Charles Ellicott
On Mark 7:4
19th Century
Bishop
Except they wash.—The Greek verb differs from that in the previous verse and implies the washing or immersion (the verb f…
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Expositor's Bible Commentary
On Mark 7:4
Mark felt it necessary to explain to his Gentile readers the Jewish custom of ceremonial handwashing, a custom based on the “tradition [GK 4142] of…
John Gill
On Mark 7:4
17th Century
Pastor
And when they come from the market
In Beza's most ancient copy, and in one of Stephens', it is read as we supply, "w…
Matthew Henry
On Mark 7:1–13
17th Century
Minister
One great design of Christ's coming was to set aside the ceremonial law; and to make way for this, he rejects the ceremonies men added to the law o…