Mark Chapter 7

Mark 7 —

“The Heart of Purity: Tradition, Defilement, and the Expansion of Mercy”

Mark 6 revealed mission, rejection, and divine provision.
Mark 7 now turns inward — to the condition of the human heart. Jesus confronts religious leaders who mistake external conformity for holiness, then demonstrates that the Kingdom extends beyond ritual boundaries into Gentile territory.

This chapter teaches one central truth:

True holiness arises from a transformed heart, not external observance; and Christ brings cleansing and mercy that reach beyond inherited boundaries — restoring humanity from within.

1. Tradition and the Question of Authority

“Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders…?” (Mk 7:5)

The Pharisees challenge Jesus over ritual handwashing — not hygiene, but ceremonial purity.

St Augustine writes:

“They cleansed their hands yet neglected their hearts.”
(Sermons)

The issue is authority:

human tradition vs divine command.

Jesus responds with Isaiah:

“This people honours me with their lips…”

Religious performance without inner conversion is hollow.

St Gregory the Great teaches:

“External religion without inward renewal is theatre.”
(Homilies)

Typology

Israel’s ritual system pointed toward interior holiness. When symbol replaces substance, devotion collapses into display.

Christ restores hierarchy:

God’s command → human practice.

2. Corban: When Tradition Undermines Love

Jesus exposes a specific abuse:

declaring possessions “Corban” to avoid supporting parents.

St Jerome comments:

“They sacrificed mercy to maintain appearance.”
(Commentary)

Legal loopholes mask moral neglect.

Typology

Law exists to protect love, not excuse its absence.

Christ reveals that obedience must express compassion.

Religion without charity becomes contradiction.

3. What Truly Defiles

“Nothing outside a person… can defile him…” (7:15)

This is revolutionary.

Purity laws governed Israel’s identity. Jesus redirects focus from external contact to internal corruption.

St Ambrose writes:

“Defilement begins in the will, not the world.”
(On the Faith)

He later explains:

“From within… come evil thoughts…”

The catalogue of sins exposes the heart as the true battleground.

Typology

Old covenant purity prepared for interior transformation.

Christ inaugurates cleansing at the source.

Sin is not environmental contamination — it is moral disorder.

4. The Heart as Battlefield

Jesus lists:

• greed
• deceit
• envy
• pride
• folly

St Augustine teaches:

“The heart manufactures the sins the hand performs.”
(Sermons)

External reform without internal renewal is temporary.

Typology

The new covenant promises:

“I will give you a new heart.”

Christ fulfils this by addressing root, not symptom.

5. Withdrawal to Gentile Territory: Mercy Expands

“He went to the region of Tyre…” (7:24)

Jesus enters Gentile lands — crossing covenant boundaries.

A Syrophoenician woman seeks healing for her daughter.

Her persistence reveals faith beyond cultural limits.

St Gregory the Great writes:

“Faith recognises mercy where privilege expects it.”
(Homilies)

6. The Syrophoenician Woman: Humility and Faith

“Even the dogs under the table…” (7:28)

Her response is humble, clever, faithful.

Jesus praises her insight and grants healing at a distance.

St Jerome comments:

“Humility opens doors tradition closes.”
(Commentary)

Typology

Israel’s Messiah becomes Gentile healer.

The table expands.

Grace is not tribal possession — it is divine generosity.

7. Healing the Deaf Man: Restoration of Perception

“He put his fingers into his ears…” (7:33)

Jesus uses tactile signs — deeply personal.

“Ephphatha — be opened.”

St Augustine writes:

“He opens ears to teach that faith begins with hearing.”
(Sermons)

Speech and hearing are restored simultaneously.

Typology

The deaf man symbolises humanity unable to hear God or speak truth.

Christ restores communication:

revelation received → witness expressed.

8. The Command to Silence

“Tell no one…”

The so-called “Messianic secret” continues.

St Ambrose teaches:

“Glory is revealed gradually to prepare understanding.”
(On the Mysteries)

The crowd disobeys — amazement overflows.

“He has done all things well…”

Echo of Genesis:

creation restored.

9. The Expansion of Purity

This chapter shifts covenant boundaries:

external ritual → internal transformation
ethnic privilege → universal mercy
symbolic cleansing → moral renewal

St Gregory the Great writes:

“Holiness becomes accessible when the heart is healed.”
(Homilies)

The Meaning of Mark 7

This chapter teaches:

• tradition must serve divine command
• purity is internal before external
• the heart generates moral action
• humility attracts mercy
• faith transcends boundaries
• Christ restores perception and voice

It proclaims:

True defilement is inward — and Christ cleanses from within.

Christ Revealed in Mark 7

Jesus is:

• the interpreter of divine law
• the purifier of the heart
• the exposer of hypocrisy
• the healer beyond boundaries
• the rewarder of humble faith
• the opener of deaf ears
• the restorer of human dignity

Spiritual Application

Examine the heart, not merely behaviour.

Let tradition serve love.

Practise humility before God.

Bring persistent faith to Christ.

Welcome mercy beyond expectation.

Listen deeply to His Word.

Speak restored truth.

Seek inward cleansing.

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ,
purifier of the heart and giver of true holiness,
You expose what corrupts within
and restore what is broken.

Cleanse our thoughts and intentions.
Guard us from empty religion.
Teach us humility that receives mercy.
Open our ears to Your truth
and loosen our tongues for praise.

Transform us from within,
until our lives reflect Your holiness
and our hearts rest secure in Your grace
for ever and ever.

Amen.