Mark 7:13

KJV

Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

KJV (with Strong's)

Making {G208} the word {G3056} of God {G2316} of none effect {G208} through your {G5216} tradition {G3862}, which {G3739} ye have delivered {G3860}: and {G2532} many {G4183} such {G5108} like things {G3946} do ye {G4160}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Thus, with your tradition which you had handed down to you, you nullify the Word of God! And you do other things like this."

Berean Standard Bible

Thus you nullify the word of God by the tradition you have handed down. And you do so in many such matters.”

American Standard Version

making void the word of God by your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things ye do.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Mark 7:13, Jesus issues a scathing indictment against the Jewish religious leaders, particularly the Pharisees and scribes, for their egregious practice of nullifying the divine authority and intent of God's revealed Word by elevating their own man-made traditions. This verse encapsulates Jesus' core accusation that their meticulous adherence to human customs, exemplified by practices like "Corban," directly undermined their moral and spiritual obligations commanded by God, revealing a profound hypocrisy and a dangerous distortion of true piety.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the climactic statement in Jesus' sharp confrontation with the Pharisees and scribes, which begins in [Mark 7:1](/mark/7-1 "Mark 7:1 - Pharisees Question Handwashing"). The religious leaders challenge Jesus' disciples for not observing the traditional ritual handwashing before eating, a custom not mandated by the Torah but developed by rabbinic tradition. Jesus immediately turns the accusation back on them, exposing their hypocrisy. He first quotes [Isaiah 29:13](/isaiah/29-13 "Isaiah 29:13 - Hypocrisy Condemned") to highlight their lip-service worship, then provides a specific example of how their tradition of "Corban" ([Mark 7:11-12](/mark/7-11-12 "Mark 7:11-12 - The Corban Tradition")) allowed them to evade the clear biblical command to [honor their father and mother](/exodus/20-12 "Exodus 20:12 - The Fifth Commandment"). Thus, [Mark 7:13](/mark/7-13 "Mark 7:13 - Nullifying God's Word") serves as the summarizing condemnation of their systemic disregard for God's law in favor of their own rules.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Judaism was characterized by various sects, with the Pharisees being a prominent group known for their meticulous adherence to the Mosaic Law and the "Oral Law" (traditions passed down through generations of rabbis). They believed these traditions were divinely inspired interpretations and applications of the written Torah, necessary to build a "fence around the Law" and prevent transgression. Ritual purity, including handwashing, was a significant aspect of their daily life, extending beyond the biblical requirements for priests. The "Corban" vow was a legal declaration dedicating property or resources to God, theoretically making them sacred and unusable for common purposes. While intended to honor God, Jesus exposes how this tradition was being exploited to circumvent filial duties, demonstrating a perversion of a religious practice for personal gain or convenience, at the expense of a foundational divine command.
* **Key Themes:** Mark 7:13 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Mark's Gospel and broader biblical theology. It underscores the **supremacy and unchallengeable authority of God's Word** over all human traditions and interpretations, a theme Jesus consistently upholds throughout his ministry (e.g., [Matthew 5:17-18](/matthew/5-17-18 "Matthew 5:17-18 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")). It also highlights the **danger of religious legalism and externalism**, where outward adherence to man-made rules supplants genuine obedience born of a transformed heart, a point Jesus frequently makes (e.g., [Matthew 23:23-28](/matthew/23-23-28 "Matthew 23:23-28 - Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees")). Furthermore, the passage exposes the profound **hypocrisy** of those who claim spiritual authority but whose actions betray a deeper commitment to their own power structures and interpretations than to God's clear commands, a recurring critique Jesus levels against the religious establishment (e.g., [Luke 11:37-54](/luke/11-37-54 "Luke 11:37-54 - Woes to the Pharisees and Lawyers")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Making...of none effect (Greek, _akyróō'_):** From a negative particle and a word meaning "to confirm" or "to make valid," this term signifies a deliberate act of invalidating, disannulling, or depriving something of its authority and force. In this context, it describes the active process by which the Pharisees' traditions rendered God's Word powerless or irrelevant in practice, effectively stripping it of its divine mandate and binding power over human conduct.
* **word (Greek, _lógos'_):** This term refers to something said, a discourse, or a message. Here, it specifically denotes the divine revelation, the authoritative utterances and commands of God as found in Scripture. Jesus contrasts the living, active "word of God" with the inert, human-derived "tradition," emphasizing the inherent power and truth of the former which the latter attempts to negate.
* **tradition (Greek, _parádosis'_):** Derived from a verb meaning "to hand over" or "to transmit," this word refers to something that has been handed down, whether orally or in writing. In this specific New Testament context, it denotes the body of oral laws, customs, and interpretations developed by Jewish religious leaders over generations, which they held to be authoritative alongside the written Torah. Jesus critiques not tradition itself, but the elevation of human tradition to a status that undermines or contradicts divine command.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Making the word of God of none effect":** This clause serves as the central accusation, stating that the Pharisees' actions actively nullify or invalidate the divine authority of God's revealed commands. It implies a deliberate and systemic disregard for the supremacy of Scripture, rendering it impotent in the face of human custom.
* **"through your tradition, which ye have delivered":** This phrase identifies the means by which the word of God is nullified: the Pharisees' own man-made traditions. The term "delivered" (paradídōmi) highlights the process of transmission, emphasizing that these are human precepts that they themselves have passed down and enforced, rather than divinely ordained laws. The possessive "your" underscores their ownership and responsibility for these traditions.
* **"and many such like things do ye.":** This concluding statement broadens the scope of the indictment, indicating that the Corban example is not an isolated incident but merely one instance of a pervasive pattern. Jesus asserts that the Pharisees consistently engage in similar practices, prioritizing their human customs over God's commands in numerous aspects of their religious life, revealing a deep-seated spiritual problem.

#### Literary Devices
Jesus employs several potent literary devices in this verse. The primary device is **Contrast**, setting the "word of God" in direct opposition to "your tradition." This stark juxtaposition highlights the irreconcilable conflict between divine authority and human invention when the latter usurps the former. Furthermore, the phrase "making... of none effect" is a form of **Condemnation**, a direct and severe rebuke that exposes the destructive outcome of their spiritual negligence. The concluding statement, "and many such like things do ye," employs **Generalization** to emphasize that the specific example of Corban is symptomatic of a broader, systemic issue within the Pharisees' approach to faith, implying a pervasive pattern of hypocrisy and spiritual misdirection.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 7:13 is a profound theological statement on the absolute supremacy of God's revealed Word over all human traditions, interpretations, or philosophical constructs. It warns against the insidious danger of religious legalism, where adherence to external rituals and man-made rules can subtly, yet powerfully, displace genuine obedience to God's heart and intent. The verse underscores that true piety is not found in the meticulous observance of human customs, however well-intentioned, but in a sincere and humble submission to the divine will as expressed in Scripture. When human traditions are elevated to the status of divine command, they inevitably lead to hypocrisy, spiritual blindness, and a perversion of God's righteous requirements, ultimately hindering people from truly knowing and obeying Him.

* [Matthew 15:6](/matthew/15-6 "Matthew 15:6 - Nullifying God's Word through Tradition")
* [Deuteronomy 4:2](/deuteronomy/4-2 "Deuteronomy 4:2 - Do Not Add or Subtract from God's Word")
* [Colossians 2:8](/colossians/2-8 "Colossians 2:8 - Beware of Human Philosophy and Tradition")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 7:13 serves as a timeless mirror for all believers and religious communities, urging us to critically examine the foundations of our faith and practice. It challenges us to constantly evaluate whether our customs, doctrines, and personal convictions are truly rooted in and subservient to the clear teaching of the Bible, or if we have inadvertently allowed human traditions, cultural norms, or even personal preferences to subtly supersede God's authoritative Word. The passage calls us to a radical commitment to scriptural authority, reminding us that genuine spirituality is not about outward conformity or the accumulation of man-made rules, but about a transformed heart that seeks to honor God by obeying His commands, especially those pertaining to love for God and neighbor. We must guard against any tendency to add burdens to others or to neglect the "weightier matters" of God's law—justice, mercy, and faithfulness—in favor of less significant, humanly derived practices.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What traditions or cultural norms in my life or church might be subtly undermining the clear teachings of God's Word?**
* **How can I ensure that my personal convictions and religious practices are always rooted in and subservient to the authority of Scripture?**
* **Am I prioritizing external religious observances over the internal transformation of my heart and genuine love for God and others?**

### FAQ

**What is the "tradition" Jesus refers to in Mark 7:13?**

Answer: The "tradition" (Greek: _parádosis_) Jesus refers to is primarily the "Oral Law" or the "tradition of the elders" that had developed in Judaism over centuries. This body of customs, interpretations, and rulings was passed down orally by rabbinic authorities and was considered by the Pharisees to be as authoritative as, if not more binding than, the written Mosaic Law. It included detailed regulations on matters like ritual purity, dietary laws, Sabbath observance, and vows. Jesus' critique is not against all tradition, but specifically against those traditions that, by their application, nullified or contradicted the clear commands and spirit of God's written Word, as exemplified by the "Corban" practice in [Mark 7:11-12](/mark/7-11-12 "Mark 7:11-12 - The Corban Tradition").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 7:13 finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus Himself as the living embodiment and ultimate interpreter of God's Word. Unlike the Pharisees who nullified the Law through their traditions, Jesus came not to abolish the Law but to fulfill it ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")), demonstrating its true intent and spirit. He consistently exposed the externalism and hypocrisy of the religious leaders, pointing people to the internal transformation of the heart as the locus of true righteousness ([Matthew 23:25-28](/matthew/23-25-28 "Matthew 23:25-28 - Woes to the Pharisees")). As the very "Word of God" made flesh ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), Jesus perfectly upheld God's commands, living a life of perfect obedience and selfless love, culminating in His sacrificial death on the cross. Through His New Covenant, He writes God's law on the hearts of believers ([Hebrews 8:10](/hebrews/8-10 "Hebrews 8:10 - The New Covenant")), enabling them to obey not through burdensome external rules, but through the indwelling Spirit, thus fulfilling the very essence of God's will which human traditions had obscured.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Mark 7:9

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

Titus 1:14

Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.

Isaiah 8:20

To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, [it is] because [there is] no light in them.

Hosea 8:12

I have written to him the great things of my law, [but] they were counted as a strange thing.

Matthew 5:17

¶ Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

Matthew 5:20

For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed [the righteousness] of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Mark 7:3

For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash [their] hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.