Mark 7 9

Mark 7:9 kjv

And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.

Mark 7:9 nkjv

He said to them, "All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.

Mark 7:9 niv

And he continued, "You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions!

Mark 7:9 esv

And he said to them, "You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition!

Mark 7:9 nlt

Then he said, "You skillfully sidestep God's law in order to hold on to your own tradition.

Mark 7 verses

Mark 7 9 Meaning

Mark 7:9 presents Jesus' stark condemnation of the Pharisees and scribes for intentionally undermining divine commands through their adherence to human-made traditions. Jesus accuses them of a deliberate act of rejection (nullifying) against God's direct revelation and instruction, doing so precisely to uphold and validate their own preferred rules and customs. This statement highlights a fundamental conflict between God's authoritative word and man's interpretive framework when the latter elevates itself above or contrary to the former.

Mark 7 9 Context

Mark chapter 7 begins with a confrontation between Jesus and the Pharisees and some scribes from Jerusalem. The core issue arises from the disciples eating with "unwashed hands"—a practice not violating a dietary health code but a specific ritual purity custom derived from Pharisaic tradition. The religious leaders questioned Jesus' disciples for not observing the "tradition of the elders" (Mark 7:3). Jesus then directly challenges their hypocrisy, showing how they elevate human traditions, even sacred ones like Corban, above God's express commandments, such as honoring parents (Mark 7:10-13). Verse 9 serves as the climax of Jesus' initial response, revealing the heart of their error: a deliberate invalidation of divine law for the sake of man-made rules. This sets the stage for Jesus to explain the true source of defilement as coming from within, not from external observance (Mark 7:14-23).

Mark 7 9 Word analysis

• And He said: "He" refers to Jesus, emphasizing His authoritative response. This introduction sets the stage for a pronouncement of divine judgment and revelation against the human traditions.
• to them: Refers to "the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem" (Mark 7:1), representing the religious authorities of the time. This indicates a direct challenge to their spiritual leadership and established practices.
• You nullify: The Greek word is athetēo (ἀθετέω). This verb signifies making void, rejecting, annulling, setting aside, or treating as non-binding. It's a strong term implying not just neglecting, but actively discrediting or robbing something of its force and authority. Jesus points to a conscious and intentional act on their part, a deliberate decision to render God's law inoperative in specific situations.
• the word of God: This refers specifically to God's commandments given in the Mosaic Law, the divine instructions recorded in the Scriptures. It represents the ultimate, authoritative, and unchanging will of God. In this context, it contrasts directly with human tradition, establishing God's written law as supreme.
• in order to keep: This phrase reveals the purpose and motive behind their action. It's not accidental but a calculated choice, a priority. They choose to adhere to their own rules instead of God's. This indicates a misguided zeal or self-righteousness, placing human regulations above divine commands.
• your tradition: The Greek word is paradosis (παράδοσις), meaning "tradition" or "what has been handed down." While tradition can sometimes refer to beneficial apostolic teachings (e.g., 1 Cor 11:2), here it refers specifically to the oral laws and customs that had been developed and passed down by religious leaders (the "tradition of the elders" in Mark 7:3-5). Jesus adds the possessive "your" to highlight that these traditions are man-made, belonging to them, rather than originating from God.

Words-Group Analysis

• "You nullify the word of God": This phrase encapsulates the gravest accusation. It signifies a profound spiritual rebellion where human interpretations and innovations are given precedence over divine revelation, effectively stripping God's commands of their binding power and authority in practice. It implies a devaluing of God's direct voice.
• "in order to keep your tradition": This phrase uncovers the motivation behind their actions. It reveals a misguided religious devotion, where loyalty to human systems and practices overshadows allegiance to God Himself and His clear directives. It points to the danger of external religiosity and self-justification over true obedience and inner transformation. This exposes the heart of their hypocrisy.

Mark 7 9 Bonus section

The charge of "nullifying the word of God" through tradition (ἀθετέω τὸν λόγον τοῦ Θεοῦ) is particularly significant as it positions Jesus as the ultimate arbiter of divine truth, directly challenging the Pharisees' interpretive authority. This was a direct assault on their religious foundation and legitimacy, implying that their understanding of the law was flawed and their leadership was spiritually corrupt. This concept of "nullifying" also highlights the active nature of their disobedience – it wasn't passive neglect but an intentional act of rendering God's command invalid by setting it aside in favor of something else. This also sets the stage for the profound teaching in Mark 7:15, where Jesus reveals that true defilement comes not from external matters or lack of tradition, but from the wicked intentions and sins that proceed from within the human heart. This spiritual insight transcends mere ritual impurity, pointing to the need for internal transformation over external conformity to man-made regulations.

Mark 7 9 Commentary

Mark 7:9 is a pivotal verse in Jesus' confrontation with the religious establishment, exposing a core issue that remains relevant across all ages: the temptation to replace God's authority with human constructs. Jesus sharply rebukes the Pharisees and scribes for their blatant disregard of divine law under the guise of piety. Their meticulously maintained oral traditions, though intended perhaps to safeguard the Law, had evolved to contradict and nullify it in practice, particularly in matters like honoring parents (as shown in the Corban example in vv. 10-13).

This verse underscores that true spiritual obedience lies in revering and submitting to God's revealed will, not in elevating man-made customs, however ancient or well-intentioned. It challenges us to critically examine our own spiritual practices, ensuring that our traditions, interpretations, or denominational customs do not inadvertently displace or diminish the preeminence and authority of the clear, written Word of God. The true mark of discipleship is not adherence to a list of rules from human sources, but heart-level obedience to God's voice, as recorded in Scripture.

Examples of modern application include:

• Prioritizing church attendance over biblical mandates for justice or mercy.
• Valuing specific worship styles or ritual forms above genuine personal prayer and Bible study.
• Upholding cultural norms within the church that contradict explicit biblical teachings on love or inclusivity.