Mark – Chapter 7

New Testament37 Verses

Chapter Summary

"And there assembled together unto him the Pharisees and some of the scribes, coming from Jerusalem." — so begins Mark 7. The chapter centers on Isaiah and Moses. Across its 37 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and God feeding His people. Read slowly, this chapter rewards the kind of prayerful attention the Church calls lectio divina.

1And there assembled together unto him the Pharisees and some of the scribes, coming from Jerusalem.

2And when they had seen some of his disciples eat bread with common, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault.

3For the Pharisees and all the Jews eat not without often washing their hands, holding the tradition of the ancients.

4And when they come from the market, unless they be washed, they eat not: and many other things there are that have been delivered to them to observe, the washings of cups and of pots and of brazen vessels and of beds.

5And the Pharisees and scribes asked him: Why do not thy disciples walk according to the tradition of the ancients, but they eat bread with common hands?

6But he answering, said to them: Well did Isaias prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.

7And in vain do they worship me, teaching doctrines and precepts of men.

8For leaving the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men, the washing of pots and of cups: and many other things you do like to these.

9And he said to them: Well do you make void the commandment of God, that you may keep your own tradition.

10For Moses said: Honour thy father and thy mother. And He that shall curse father or mother, dying let him die.

11But you say: If a man shall say to his father or mother, Corban (which is a gift) whatsoever is from me shall profit thee.

12And further you suffer him not to do any thing for his father or mother,

13Making void the word of God by your own tradition, which you have given forth. And many other such like things you do.

14And calling again the multitude unto him, he said to them: Hear ye me all and understand.

15There is nothing from without a man that entering into him can defile him. But the things which come from a man, those are they that defile a man.

16If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.

17And when he was come into the house from the multitude, his disciples asked him the parable.

18And he saith to them: So are you also without knowledge? Understand you not that every thing from without entering into a man cannot defile him:

19Because it entereth not into his heart but goeth into his belly and goeth out into the privy, purging all meats?

20But he said that the things which come out from a man, they defile a man.

21For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,

22Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.

23All these evil things come from within and defile a man.

24And rising from thence he went into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon: and entering into a house, he would that no man should know it. And he could not be hid.

25For a woman as soon as she heard of him, whose daughter had an unclean spirit, came in and fell down at his feet.

26For the woman was a Gentile, a Syrophenician born. And she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter.

27Who said to her: suffer first the children to be filled: for it is not good to take the bread of the children and cast it to the dogs.

28But she answered and said to him: Yea, Lord; for the whelps also eat under the table of the crumbs of the children.

29And he said to her: For this saying, go thy way. The devil is gone out of thy daughter.

30And when she was come into her house, she found the girl lying upon the bed and that the devil was gone out.

31And again going out of the coasts of Tyre, he came by Sidon to the sea of Galilee, through the midst the of the coasts of Decapolis.

32And they bring to him one deaf and dumb: and they besought him that he would lay his hand upon him.

33And taking him from the multitude apart, he put his fingers into his ears: and spitting, he touched his tongue.

34And looking up to heaven, he groaned and said to him: Ephpheta, which is, Be thou opened.

35And immediately his ears were opened and the string of his tongue was loosed and he spoke right.

36And he charged them that they should tell no man. But the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal did they publish it.

37And so much the more did they wonder, saying: He hath done all things well. He hath made both the deaf to hear and the dumb to speak.

Important Verses in Mark 7

And there assembled together unto him the Pharisees and some of the scribes, coming from Jerusalem.

Mark 7:1

For leaving the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men, the washing of pots and of cups: and many other things you do like to these.

Mark 7:8

Making void the word of God by your own tradition, which you have given forth. And many other such like things you do.

Mark 7:13

But she answered and said to him: Yea, Lord; for the whelps also eat under the table of the crumbs of the children.

Mark 7:28

Historical Context

As a New Testament book, Mark was written with persecuted Christians in Rome, strengthened to follow the crucified Lord in view. Chapter 7 of 16 stands in the central portion of the book, where decisive events or teachings take shape. It is a legal and cultic instruction given to Israel regarding worship, holiness, and daily life with 37 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter focuses on Isaiah and Moses, whose actions and words drive the passage forward. The chapter begins: "And there assembled together unto him the Pharisees and some of the scribes, coming from Jerusalem." The final verse reads: "And so much the more did they wonder, saying: He hath done all things well. He hath made both the deaf to hear and the…" The wider setting of Mark is this: The earliest and shortest Gospel moves with urgency—'immediately' is its favorite word—presenting Jesus as the Son of God revealed above all on the Cross. Scholarly and ecclesial tradition places the composition of Mark around About AD 65-70, probably in Rome.

Who Wrote It

John Mark, companion of Peter and Paul; early tradition calls him Peter's interpreter

When It Was Written

About AD 65-70, probably in Rome

Catholic Commentary

At the literal level, Mark 7 delivers commandments and ritual instructions given under the old covenant. A pivotal line is verse 1: "And there assembled together unto him the Pharisees and some of the scribes, coming from Jerusalem." The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

The Church teaches that every passage of Scripture must be read in light of Christ and the Magisterium (CIC 618). Here, Mark emphasizes the mystery of Christ's identity (CIC 515). The spiritual sense invites believers to recognize family and covenant relationships as part of God's pedagogy of salvation.

The moral and spiritual import remains timely: The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.. St. Jerome insisted that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ; this chapter offers material for meditation, examination of conscience, and deeper love of God.

Main Teachings

  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • From the manna to the Last Supper, God feeds His people — fully in the Eucharist.
  • Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.

People in This Chapter

Isaiah1 mentionMoses1 mention

Reflection for Today

The central section of Mark—Chapter 7 of 16—opens a particular moment in the story of Jesus as the suffering Servant and Son of God.

According to Catholic teaching, Mark emphasizes the mystery of Christ's identity (CIC 515). This chapter especially highlights Mary and the communion of saints, a theme the Catechism develops in relation to the whole of revelation (CIC 302).

Consider praying with this chapter again at day's end, offering God gratitude for one insight received. The Church encourages daily contact with Scripture (CIC 461) so that Christ's mind may be formed in us.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mark Chapter 7 about?

Mark 7 contains 37 verses. It opens with "And there assembled together unto him the Pharisees and some of the scribes, coming from Jerusalem." and closes with "And so much the more did they wonder, saying: He hath done all things well. He hath made both the deaf to hear and the…". The book as a whole is gospel.

What is a key verse in Mark 7?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "And there assembled together unto him the Pharisees and some of the scribes, coming from Jerusalem." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Mark Chapter 7?

This chapter mentions Isaiah, Moses.

Who wrote Mark and when?

John Mark, companion of Peter and Paul; early tradition calls him Peter's interpreter. About AD 65-70, probably in Rome.

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