Mark 7:25 kjv
For a certain woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of him, and came and fell at his feet:
Mark 7:25 nkjv
For a woman whose young daughter had an unclean spirit heard about Him, and she came and fell at His feet.
Mark 7:25 niv
In fact, as soon as she heard about him, a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an impure spirit came and fell at his feet.
Mark 7:25 esv
But immediately a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit heard of him and came and fell down at his feet.
Mark 7:25 nlt
Right away a woman who had heard about him came and fell at his feet. Her little girl was possessed by an evil spirit,
Mark 7 25 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Matt 15:22-28 | "A Canaanite woman from that region came out and cried, 'Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.'" | Synoptic parallel; identifies her as Canaanite/Syrophoenician, emphasizes her cry for mercy. |
| Matt 8:5-13 | "When he entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him... ‘Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof’." | Gentile showing great faith, humble appeal for healing at a distance. |
| Lk 7:1-10 | "Now when Jesus finished all He had said in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum. A centurion there had a servant..." | Parallel to Matthew's centurion; illustrates Gentile faith recognized by Jesus. |
| Acts 10:1-48 | "At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort... Peter began to speak, ‘Truly I understand that God shows no partiality…’" | Extensive example of God's openness to Gentiles through Peter. |
| Rom 10:12-13 | "For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him." | Affirms no distinction in Christ for salvation or calling upon God. |
| Gal 3:28 | "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." | Unity and equality of all believers in Christ, regardless of ethnic background. |
| Eph 2:14 | "For He Himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in His flesh the dividing wall of hostility..." | Christ breaking down the barrier between Jew and Gentile. |
| Ps 34:18 | "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." | God's responsiveness to those in distress and humility. |
| Isa 57:15 | "For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: 'I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit...'" | God's presence with the humble and contrite, as demonstrated by the woman's posture. |
| Rom 10:17 | "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." | Connects "heard of Him" to the development of saving faith. |
| Jn 4:47-49 | "When this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to Him and asked Him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death." | Another instance of a desperate parent hearing of Jesus and seeking Him. |
| Mk 5:22 | "Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing Him, he fell at His feet..." | Jairus, a Jewish leader, also fell at Jesus' feet in supplication for his daughter. |
| Mk 1:40 | "A leper came to Him, imploring Him, and kneeling said to Him, ‘If You are willing, You can make me clean.’" | A leper's humble approach to Jesus for healing. |
| Mk 3:11 | "Whenever the unclean spirits saw Him, they fell down before Him and cried out, ‘You are the Son of God.’" | Unclean spirits acknowledging Jesus' authority, echoing the woman's "falling" as a form of submission. |
| Lk 4:41 | "And demons also came out of many, crying out, ‘You are the Son of God!’ But He rebuked them and would not allow them to speak..." | Jesus' authority over demons, which afflicted the daughter. |
| Mk 9:17-27 | "And someone from the crowd answered him, ‘Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute.’" | Another desperate parent seeking deliverance for their demon-possessed child. | Phil 2:9-10 | "Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth..." | Future universal submission to Jesus' authority, foreshadowed by those falling at His feet. |
| Heb 4:16 | "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." | Encourages approaching God in times of need, similar to the woman's action. |
| Jas 4:10 | "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you." | Reflects the woman's humble posture leading to divine intervention. |
| 1 Pet 5:6 | "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you..." | Another call to humility before God for future exultation. |
Mark 7 verses
Mark 7 25 Meaning
Mark 7:25 describes a crucial moment where a Gentile woman, having heard of Jesus' power, comes to Him in desperate need. Her action of falling at His feet signifies profound humility, reverence, and supplication, seeking deliverance for her daughter who is afflicted by an unclean spirit. This verse marks a significant transition in Jesus' ministry, highlighting His compassion extending beyond Jewish boundaries.
Mark 7 25 Context
Mark 7:25 follows Jesus' profound teaching on defilement in verses 1-23. In this preceding discourse, Jesus directly challenges the pharisaic traditions and external rituals, emphasizing that defilement comes not from what goes into a person (food) but from what comes out of the heart (evil thoughts, greed, malice, pride). This teaching broke down perceived boundaries of clean and unclean and pointed to an inward, spiritual reality. Immediately after this, Jesus intentionally withdraws from Galilee to the Gentile region of Tyre and Sidon (Mark 7:24), signaling a shift from Jewish debates to ministering among those traditionally considered outside God's covenant people. The arrival of the Syrophoenician woman, therefore, directly illustrates Jesus' teaching that internal faith and desperate need, irrespective of external origin or status, are what truly matter. Her Gentile identity stands in stark contrast to the religious leaders who had just engaged Jesus in legalistic arguments, highlighting the true recipients of God's grace.
Mark 7 25 Word analysis
- For a certain woman (γυνὴ γὰρ, gynē gar): "Woman" is gynē, a common term, but "certain" implies she wasn't necessarily known before this encounter, emphasizing the focus on her faith. Her being a "woman" also highlights the cultural humility often associated with women approaching men in public during that time.
- whose young daughter (θυγάτριον ἔχουσα, thygatrion echousa): Thygatrion is a diminutive form of thygater (daughter), meaning "little daughter" or "dear daughter." This diminutive expresses endearment and the profound vulnerability and helplessness of the child, deepening the mother's anguish and desperation. It emphasizes the personal pain driving her to Jesus.
- had an unclean spirit (πνεῦμα ἀκάθαρτον ἔχον, pneuma akatharton echon): An "unclean spirit" is a standard New Testament term for a demon. The term akatharton (unclean) links to the purity laws of the Old Testament, but here refers to a spiritual uncleanness, a malignant spiritual entity possessing and afflicting the child. This possession represents extreme suffering beyond human capacity to heal, thus necessitating divine intervention.
- heard of Him (ἀκούσασα περὶ αὐτοῦ, akousasa peri autou): "Heard of Him" indicates that her coming was not accidental but based on information. Her faith was foundational, stemming from the reports and reputation of Jesus’ healing power. This "hearing" parallels Rom 10:17, showing that faith comes through the message of Christ.
- and came (ἦλθεν, ēlthen): This simple verb implies purposeful movement, an act of intentionality and determination. Despite the potential cultural barriers (Gentile approaching a Jew, a woman approaching a man publicly), her desperation propelled her to actively seek Jesus. It shows initiative and a deep conviction that only He could help.
- and fell at His feet (προσέπεσεν πρὸς τοὺς πόδας αὐτοῦ, prosepese pros tous podas autou): Prosepese (fell at/down before) denotes a posture of profound reverence, humility, and submission, often associated with worship or fervent petition in ancient cultures. It signifies abject surrender, desperation, and acknowledges Jesus' authority and power. This is not just physical prostration but a spiritual gesture of complete dependence, showing reverence for His person and confidence in His ability. It echoes the actions of others seeking healing from Jesus.
- a certain woman...unclean spirit: This group of words sets the scene, introducing the person, her social standing (implied "outsider" status), her deeply personal crisis (her daughter's severe affliction), and the root of the problem (a spiritual enemy). It highlights that divine power is needed where human effort is futile.
- heard of Him, and came and fell at His feet: This phrase encapsulates the complete journey of faith and humility. "Heard" (intellectual understanding/belief) leads to "came" (action/pursuit) which culminates in "fell at His feet" (total submission and worshipful supplication). It signifies that genuine faith prompts desperate, humble action to draw near to Christ. This sequence is a pattern for all who genuinely seek the Lord for deliverance and mercy.
Mark 7 25 Bonus section
The immediate cultural context for "unclean spirit" for the Jewish audience would recall Levitical laws of ceremonial uncleanness. However, here it transcends ceremonial impurity to denote an actual demonic entity, implying a spiritual "uncleanliness" that defiles not the body ceremonially but possesses and torments the individual spiritually. The woman's simple act of "falling at His feet" demonstrates a theological understanding that surpasses that of many religious leaders of the day; she instinctively recognizes Jesus' divine authority and His ultimate supremacy over the spiritual forces of darkness, placing herself in a position of complete vulnerability and dependence. This act of homage by a Gentile woman subtly highlights the shifting dynamics of God's kingdom—moving beyond the exclusive claims of the chosen nation to embrace all who approach Him in faith. This moment signifies the breaking of historical barriers, foreshadowing the inclusion of all nations into the Body of Christ.
Mark 7 25 Commentary
Mark 7:25 is a powerful snapshot of humble, persistent faith encountering the boundless compassion of Jesus. It introduces a Gentile woman, whose identity contrasts sharply with the narrow legalism Jesus had just exposed among the Pharisees. Her "little daughter" afflicted by an "unclean spirit" underscores a depth of suffering that only divine intervention could alleviate. The pivotal action described—her "hearing of Him," "coming," and "falling at His feet"—illustrates a profound journey of faith: informed by rumor, expressed through courageous initiative, and finalized in a posture of utmost humility and adoration. This act of prostration is not merely cultural deference but an embodiment of desperate submission and trust in Jesus’ unique authority over evil and disease, extending His mercy to those traditionally outside the covenant. This verse sets the stage for a critical theological exchange, signaling that the Father's salvation extends to all who believe, regardless of background or external labels, but based solely on sincere faith and earnest plea. It shows that true worship involves drawing near to Jesus with humility and desperate need.