Mark 7:9

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} he said {G3004} unto them {G846}, Full well {G2573} ye reject {G114} the commandment {G1785} of God {G2316}, that {G2443} ye may keep {G5083} your own {G5216} tradition {G3862}.

Complete Jewish Bible

he said to them, "you have made a fine art of departing from God's command in order to keep your tradition!

Berean Standard Bible

He went on to say, “You neatly set aside the command of God to maintain your own tradition.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Mark 7:9, Jesus delivers a scathing indictment of the religious leaders, specifically the Pharisees and scribes, for their profound spiritual hypocrisy. He exposes their deliberate choice to nullify the clear and authoritative commandments of God in favor of upholding their meticulously crafted human traditions. This verse encapsulates the core conflict between divine revelation and man-made religious systems, highlighting Jesus' unwavering commitment to the supremacy of God's Word over all human precepts.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal moment in a broader confrontation between Jesus and the religious authorities concerning ritual purity and tradition. The preceding verses ([Mark 7:1-5](/mark/7-1-5 "Mark 7:1-5 - The Pharisees Question Handwashing")) detail the Pharisees' challenge to Jesus' disciples for not observing the "tradition of the elders" regarding ceremonial handwashing before eating. Jesus responds by exposing their outward show of piety as superficial, quoting Isaiah 29:13 in [Mark 7:6-8](/mark/7-6-8 "Mark 7:6-8 - Jesus Rebukes the Pharisees") to highlight that their hearts were far from God. [Mark 7:9](/mark/7-9 "Mark 7:9 - Jesus Rebukes the Pharisees' Tradition") serves as a direct, cutting summary of their deliberate choice to reject God's authority. The subsequent verses ([Mark 7:10-13](/mark/7-10-13 "Mark 7:10-13 - The Corban Tradition")) provide a concrete example of this rejection through the tradition of Corban, where they permitted people to dedicate resources to God, thereby avoiding their divinely mandated responsibility to care for their parents. This entire passage underscores Jesus' emphasis on internal purity and genuine obedience over external ritualism.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "tradition of the elders" (Hebrew: *Halakha*) was a vast body of oral laws, interpretations, and customs developed by Jewish rabbis and scribes over centuries. While initially intended to safeguard the written Torah and apply its principles to daily life, by Jesus' time, these traditions had often gained an authority equal to, or even surpassing, the written law in the eyes of many Pharisees. They believed these traditions were divinely inspired and passed down from Moses. This system created a complex web of regulations that often burdened the people and, as Jesus argues, could directly contradict the spirit and even the letter of God's original commandments. The Pharisees, as the most influential religious group, were the primary proponents and enforcers of these traditions, priding themselves on their strict adherence.

* **Key Themes:** [Mark 7:9](/mark/7-9 "Mark 7:9 - Jesus Rebukes the Pharisees' Tradition") powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Mark's Gospel and broader biblical theology. Foremost is the **Supremacy of God's Word**, where Jesus unequivocally declares that divine commandments are supreme and must never be set aside or diminished by human regulations. This highlights the inherent conflict between God's revelation and religious systems built on human rules, a theme further explored in passages like [Mark 7:13](/mark/7-13 "Mark 7:13 - Making God's Word Void"). Another crucial theme is **Spiritual Hypocrisy**, as the phrase "Full well ye reject" is laden with biting sarcasm, exposing the deliberate and self-serving nature of the religious leaders' actions. They outwardly appeared devout but inwardly disregarded the very source of true righteousness, mirroring the condemnation found in [Isaiah 29:13](/isaiah/29-13 "Isaiah 29:13 - Hypocritical Worship"). Finally, the verse draws a clear distinction between **Tradition vs. Truth**, condemning the practice of adhering to the letter of human law while neglecting the spirit and intent of God's law, a tension that resonates throughout the New Testament's critique of legalism.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **reject (Greek, _athetéō'_):** From G114, this word means "to set aside, i.e. (by implication) to disesteem, neutralize or violate." It conveys a deliberate and intentional act of rendering something ineffective or invalid. Jesus is not accusing them of accidental oversight but of a conscious decision to disregard God's command.
* **commandment (Greek, _entolḗ'_):** From G1785, meaning "injunction, i.e. an authoritative prescription." This term highlights the divine origin and binding authority of God's law, contrasting sharply with the human origin of their traditions. It emphasizes that what they are rejecting is not merely advice, but a direct order from the supreme God.
* **tradition (Greek, _parádosis'_):** From G3862, meaning "transmission, i.e. (concretely) a precept; specially, the Jewish traditionary law." This word refers to something "handed down" or passed on. In this context, it specifically denotes the oral traditions of the elders, which Jesus critiques for their human origin and their detrimental impact on true obedience to God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he said unto them,"**: This introductory phrase sets the stage for Jesus' direct and authoritative pronouncement. It signifies that this is not a casual remark but a deliberate and pointed address to the religious leaders who had challenged Him.
* **"Full well ye reject the commandment of God,"**: This is the core of Jesus' biting rebuke. The phrase "Full well" (Greek: *kalōs*) is used ironically, intensifying the accusation. It's as if Jesus is saying, "You are doing an excellent job of setting aside God's law!" This highlights the deliberate and conscious nature of their actions. The object of their rejection is explicitly "the commandment of God," emphasizing the divine authority they are flouting.
* **"that ye may keep your own tradition."**: This clause reveals the motive and purpose behind their rejection of God's law. Their goal is not to honor God but to uphold their self-made customs and traditions. The phrase "your own tradition" underscores its human origin and possession, contrasting it with the divine ownership of "the commandment of God." This exposes their misplaced loyalty and distorted priorities.

#### Literary Devices
Jesus employs several potent literary devices in [Mark 7:9](/mark/7-9 "Mark 7:9 - Jesus Rebukes the Pharisees' Tradition") to underscore His condemnation. The most prominent is **Irony** (or **Sarcasm**), particularly in the phrase "Full well ye reject." The Greek word *kalōs* (well, good) is used here in a cutting, inverted sense, implying the exact opposite of its literal meaning. Jesus is not commending their actions but rather highlighting the egregious and deliberate nature of their offense. This ironic commendation serves to expose their hypocrisy more sharply. Furthermore, there is a clear **Antithesis** or **Contrast** established between "the commandment of God" and "your own tradition." This juxtaposition vividly illustrates the fundamental conflict between divine authority and human precepts, emphasizing that the two are mutually exclusive when human tradition usurps God's place. The verse also functions as a powerful **Summary Statement**, encapsulating Jesus' broader argument against the Pharisees' legalism and misplaced priorities, serving as a concise thesis for the subsequent example of Corban.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[Mark 7:9](/mark/7-9 "Mark 7:9 - Jesus Rebukes the Pharisees' Tradition") serves as a foundational text for understanding the New Testament's critique of legalism and the dangers of religious formalism. It powerfully asserts the absolute supremacy of God's revealed Word over all human-made rules, customs, or interpretations. Theologically, it reminds us that true piety is not found in outward adherence to a complex system of human regulations, but in sincere, heart-level obedience to God's explicit commands. When human traditions, even those developed with good intentions, begin to nullify or diminish the weight of divine instruction, they become an offense to God and a hindrance to genuine faith. This verse calls believers to a constant discernment, ensuring that their practices and beliefs are rooted in biblical truth, not merely in cultural or denominational customs that may inadvertently displace God's authority.

* [Matthew 15:3](/matthew/15-3 "Matthew 15:3 - Jesus Condemns Pharisaic Tradition")
* [Colossians 2:8](/colossians/2-8 "Colossians 2:8 - Beware of Human Tradition")
* [Isaiah 29:13](/isaiah/29-13 "Isaiah 29:13 - Hypocritical Worship")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[Mark 7:9](/mark/7-9 "Mark 7:9 - Jesus Rebukes the Pharisees' Tradition") remains profoundly relevant for believers today, serving as a timeless warning against the subtle yet pervasive temptation to elevate human traditions, cultural norms, or even personal preferences above the clear and authoritative teachings of Scripture. We are challenged to honestly examine our own hearts and practices, ensuring that our faith is genuinely rooted in God's Word and not merely in what is comfortable, customary, or socially acceptable within our religious circles. This verse calls us to cultivate a discerning spirit, recognizing that while some traditions can be helpful and enriching, any tradition that directly or indirectly nullifies, diminishes, or replaces a divine commandment must be rejected. True spiritual vitality flows from a humble submission to God's authority and a wholehearted commitment to His commandments, demonstrating that our worship is not merely lip service but a genuine outpouring of love and obedience.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "traditions" (whether cultural, family, or church-based) might I be prioritizing over a clear commandment of God in my own life?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper love and reverence for God's written Word, ensuring it is the ultimate authority for my beliefs and actions?**
* **In what areas might I be tempted to show outward conformity to religious practices while my heart is far from genuine obedience?**
* **How can I discern between helpful traditions that complement biblical truth and those that might subtly undermine it?**

### FAQ
**What is the "tradition" Jesus refers to in [Mark 7:9](/mark/7-9 "Mark 7:9 - Jesus Rebukes the Pharisees' Tradition")?**

Answer: The "tradition" Jesus refers to is specifically the "tradition of the elders" (found in [Mark 7:3](/mark/7-3 "Mark 7:3 - The Tradition of the Elders")), which was a vast body of oral laws, interpretations, and customs passed down by Jewish rabbis and scribes. These traditions, also known as *Halakha*, were developed over centuries to apply the written Torah to daily life and were considered by the Pharisees to be as authoritative as, if not more important than, the written law itself. Jesus' point in [Mark 7:9](/mark/7-9 "Mark 7:9 - Jesus Rebukes the Pharisees' Tradition") is that these human-made traditions had, in practice, superseded and even nullified God's actual commandments, as exemplified by the Corban tradition mentioned in [Mark 7:10-13](/mark/7-10-13 "Mark 7:10-13 - The Corban Tradition").

**Why was Jesus so harsh with the Pharisees in this passage?**

Answer: Jesus' harshness stemmed from the Pharisees' spiritual hypocrisy and their deliberate undermining of God's authority. He was not merely disagreeing with a theological point; He was confronting a system that led people away from true worship and obedience to God. Their outward show of piety masked hearts that were far from God ([Mark 7:6](/mark/7-6 "Mark 7:6 - Jesus Quotes Isaiah")). By prioritizing their human traditions over God's commandments, they were making God's Word "of no effect" ([Mark 7:13](/mark/7-13 "Mark 7:13 - Making God's Word Void")), thereby hindering people from truly knowing and obeying God. Jesus' strong rebuke was a prophetic warning against legalism and a passionate defense of the supremacy of divine truth.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[Mark 7:9](/mark/7-9 "Mark 7:9 - Jesus Rebukes the Pharisees' Tradition") finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodies the supremacy of God's commandment and exposes the futility of human tradition. Unlike the Pharisees, who rejected God's law to uphold their own, Jesus came not to abolish the Law but to fulfill it ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")). He perfectly obeyed every divine precept, demonstrating true righteousness that flowed from a heart fully devoted to God, rather than from external conformity to human rules. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus inaugurated a new covenant where the law is no longer an external burden of human tradition, but written on the hearts of believers by the Spirit ([Hebrews 8:10](/hebrews/8-10 "Hebrews 8:10 - The New Covenant")). He liberates His followers from the bondage of legalism and the empty pursuit of human approval, inviting them into a relationship of grace and truth. Thus, Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes ([Romans 10:4](/romans/10-4 "Romans 10:4 - Christ, the End of the Law")), providing the only path to genuine obedience and freedom from the deceptive allure of man-made religion ([Galatians 5:1](/galatians/5-1 "Galatians 5:1 - Freedom in Christ")).

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

Galatians 2:21

I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness [come] by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

Jeremiah 44:16

[As for] the word that thou hast spoken unto us in the name of the LORD, we will not hearken unto thee.

Jeremiah 44:17

But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth, to burn incense unto the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, as we have done, we, and our fathers, our kings, and our princes, in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem: for [then] had we plenty of victuals, and were well, and saw no evil.

Isaiah 24:5

The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.

Isaiah 29:13

Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near [me] with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:

Matthew 15:3

But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?

Matthew 15:6

And honour not his father or his mother, [he shall be free]. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.