Mark 7:1-23

Read Mark 7:1-23

Helpful Background Information: 

• In this passage, Jesus confronts the Pharisees and scribes about their obsession with outward traditions while neglecting their heart posture toward God. These religious leaders had developed many human traditions (like ritual handwashing) that they treated as if they were equal to God’s commands. When they noticed Jesus’ disciples not following these customs, they accused them of being unfaithful. Jesus rebuked them by quoting Isaiah, showing that honoring God with lips while having a far-off heart is hypocrisy. He exposed how their traditions even undermined God’s Word, such as excusing someone from caring for their parents through the practice of declaring possessions as “Corban” (set apart for God).

Reflection Questions: 

• How can traditions sometimes distract us from God’s Word?

• The practice of “Corban” allowed people to avoid helping their parents by claiming their resources were dedicated to God. Can you think of ways we sometimes excuse ourselves from obeying God’s commands?

• What does Jesus mean when he says that “what comes out of a person that defiles them”?

• How can we distinguish between a good tradition and a bad one?