Mark 7:2

And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault.

And {G2532} when they saw {G1492} some {G5100} of his {G846} disciples {G3101} eat {G2068} bread {G740} with defiled {G2839}, that is to say {G5123}, with unwashen {G449}, hands {G5495}, they found fault {G3201}.

and saw that some of his talmidim ate with ritually unclean hands, that is, without doing n'tilat-yadayim.

and they saw some of His disciples eating with hands that were defiled—that is, unwashed.

and had seen that some of his disciples ate their bread with defiled, that is, unwashen, hands.

Mark 7:2 introduces a key conflict between Jesus and the religious establishment of His day, specifically the Pharisees and scribes. This verse highlights their immediate disapproval of Jesus' disciples for not adhering to a particular aspect of their traditional Jewish law regarding ceremonial washing before meals.

Context

This verse sets the stage for a significant discussion that unfolds in Mark chapter 7. The Pharisees and scribes, known for their strict adherence to both the written Law of Moses and their extensive oral traditions, observed Jesus' disciples eating without first performing the ritual handwashing. This was not a matter of hygiene, but of ritual purity. According to their traditions, one had to wash their hands ceremonially after returning from the marketplace or before eating, to remove any potential ritual defilement picked up from contact with Gentiles or common things. Their "finding fault" was a challenge to Jesus' authority and His disciples' practice, implying a disregard for established religious custom.

Key Themes

  • Conflict Between Tradition and Truth: The verse immediately brings to light the tension between human-made traditions and God's true commandments. The Pharisees prioritized their oral law over the spirit of the Law.
  • External Purity vs. Internal Heart Condition: The core issue isn't physical cleanliness but ritual defilement. This sets up Jesus' subsequent teaching that true defilement comes not from outside a person, but from within the heart (Mark 7:15-23).
  • Legalism and Hypocrisy: The religious leaders were quick to judge based on outward observance, often overlooking the deeper spiritual principles of compassion, justice, and love, which Jesus consistently emphasized.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands" clarifies the original Greek. The word "defiled" translates from koinas (κοιναῖς), meaning "common" or "unclean" in a ritual sense, not necessarily physically dirty. The term "unwashen" comes from aniptois (ἀνίπτοις), specifically referring to hands that have not undergone the prescribed ceremonial washing. This distinction is crucial for understanding that the objection was purely religious and ceremonial, not hygienic.

Practical Application

Mark 7:2 serves as a timeless reminder for believers today. It challenges us to examine our own practices and beliefs:

  • Prioritize God's Word: Are we valuing human traditions, cultural norms, or personal preferences above the clear teachings of Scripture?
  • Focus on the Heart: True spirituality is not about outward performance or adhering to a list of rules, but about the condition of our hearts. God looks at the heart, not just external appearances (1 Samuel 16:7).
  • Beware of Legalism: This verse cautions against a legalistic spirit that judges others based on non-essential practices, rather than extending grace and focusing on the weightier matters of faith, justice, and mercy.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Acts 10:28

    And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

  • Matthew 7:3

    And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

  • Matthew 7:5

    Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

  • Romans 14:14

    I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that [there is] nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him [it is] unclean.

  • Matthew 23:23

    Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier [matters] of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

  • Matthew 23:25

    Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.

  • Acts 11:8

    But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth.

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back