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பிரமாணங்களும் மனிதரின் விதிமுறைகளும்

(மத்தேயு 15:1-20)

எருசலேமிலிருந்து சில பரிசேயர்களும், சில வேதபாரகர்களும் வந்தனர். அவர்கள் இயேசுவைச் சுற்றிக் கூடினர். இயேசுவின் சீஷர்களில் சிலர் சுத்தமற்ற கைகளால் உணவு உண்பதை அவர்கள் கவனித்தார்கள். (சுத்தமற்ற கை என்றால் பரிசேயர்கள் முறைப்படி அவர்கள் தம் கைகளைக் கழுவாமல் இருந்தனர்) பரிசேயர்களும், யூதர்களனைவரும் இத்தகு சிறப்பான முறையில் தம் கைகளைக் கழுவுவதற்கு முன்னால் உணவு உண்பதில்லை. அவர்கள் இதனை அவர்களின் முன்னோர் சொன்னபடி தொடர்ந்து செய்து வருகின்றனர். யூதர்கள் சந்தையில் ஏதாவது வாங்கும்போது, அதனைத் தனியான முறையில் கழுவிச் சுத்தப்படுத்தும் முன் அவர்கள் அதை உண்பதில்லை. இதைப்போன்று அவர்கள் பல விதிகளைத் தங்கள் முன்னோரிடமிருந்து பெற்றுக் கடைப்பிடித்தனர். கிண்ணங்கள், குடங்கள், வெண்கலப் பாத்திரங்கள் போன்றவற்றைக் கழுவுவது ஆகியவற்றைக் கடைப்பிடித்தனர்.

பரிசேயர்களும், வேதபாரகர்களும் இயேசுவிடம், “உம்முடைய சீஷர்கள் நமக்கு முன்பு வாழ்ந்த முன்னோர்களின் விதிமுறைகளைக் கைக்கொள்ளவில்லையே? உம்முடைய சீஷர்கள் சுத்தமற்ற கைகளால் தம் உணவை உண்டு வருகிறார்கள். ஏன் இவ்வாறு செய்கிறார்கள்?” என்று கேட்டனர்.

இயேசு அவர்களிடம் “நீங்கள் எல்லாரும் போலித்தனமானவர்கள். உங்களைப் பற்றி ஏசாயா சரியாகவே எழுதியிருக்கிறான். அவன் எழுதியிருப்பது:

“‘இந்த மக்கள் என்னை மதிப்பதாய்ச் சொல்கிறார்கள்,
    ஆனால் உண்மையில் அவர்கள் தம் வாழ்வில் எனக்கு முக்கியத்துவம் கொடுக்கவில்லை.
அவர்களின் வழிபாடு ஒரு பயனுமற்றது.
    அவர்கள் உபதேசிக்கும் விதிமுறைகள் எல்லாம் மனிதர்களால் உருவாக்கப்பட்டவை.’(A)

நீங்கள் தேவனின் கட்டளைகளைப் பின்பற்றுவதை நிறுத்தி இருக்கிறீர்கள். இப்பொழுது நீங்கள் மனிதனின் போதனைகளைக் கடைப்பிடித்து வருகிறீர்கள்” என்றார்.

மேலும் இயேசு அவர்களிடம், “நீங்கள் சமர்த்தராக இருப்பதாக நினைத்துக்கொண்டிருக்கிறீர்கள். நீங்கள் உங்கள் சொந்த போதனையை பின்பற்றுவதற்காக தேவனின் கட்டளைகளைப் புறக்கணித்து விட்டீர்கள். 10 ‘உங்கள் தாய்க்கும் தந்தைக்கும் மதிப்பு கொடுங்கள்’(B) என்று மோசே சொல்லி இருக்கிறான். மேலும் அவன் ‘எவன் ஒருவன் தன் தந்தையிடமோ அல்லது தாயிடமோ கெட்டவற்றைப் பேசுகிறானோ அவன் கொலை செய்யப்படத்தக்கவன்’(C) என்று கூறி இருக்கிறான். 11 ஒருவன் தன் தந்தையையோ தாயையோ நோக்கி ‘நான் உங்களுக்கு உதவக்கூடியவற்றைச் செய்ய முடியும். ஆனால் நான் உங்களுக்குச் செய்யமாட்டேன். நான் அதனைத் தேவனுக்குத் தருவேன்’ என்று சொல்ல நீங்கள் கற்றுத் தருகிறீர்கள். 12 அவன் தன் தந்தைக்கோ தாய்க்கோ எதுவும் செய்யத் தேவையில்லை என்று கற்பிக்கிறீர்கள். 13 ஆகையால் தேவன் சொன்னவற்றைச் செய்வது அவ்வளவு முக்கியமில்லை என்று சொல்லித்தருகிறீர்கள். நீங்கள் சொல்பவற்றை மக்கள் செய்தால் போதும் என்று நினைக்கிறீர்கள். நீங்கள் இது போன்று பல செயல்களைச் செய்து வருகின்றீர்கள்” என்றார்.

14 மக்களை மீண்டும் இயேசு தன்னிடம் அழைத்தார். அவர் “ஒவ்வொரு மனிதனும் எனக்குச் செவிகொடுக்க வேண்டும். நான் சொல்பவற்றைப் புரிந்துகொள்ள வேண்டும். 15 வெளியே இருந்து மனிதனுக்குள்ளே போகும் எதுவும் அவனைத் தீட்டுப்படுத்தாது. அவனது உள்ளத்தில் இருந்து வெளியே வருவதுதான் அவனைத் தீட்டுப்படுத்தும். 16 நான் சொல்வதைக் கேட்பவர்களே, கவனியுங்கள்” என்றார்.

17 பின்னர் இயேசு அந்த மக்களிடமிருந்து விலகி வீட்டிற்குள் சென்றார். இந்த உவமையைப்பற்றி அவரது சீஷர்கள் இயேசுவிடம் கேட்டனர். 18 “உங்களுக்கு புரிந்துகொள்வதில் இன்னும் சிரமங்கள் உள்ளனவா? வெளியே இருந்து மனிதனுக்குள் செல்லும் எதுவும் அவனைத் தீட்டுப்படுத்தாது என்பது புரியவில்லையா? 19 உணவானது மனிதனின் மூளைக்குள் செல்வதில்லை. உணவு வயிற்றுக்குள் தான் செல்லும். பிறகு அந்த உணவு உடம்பைவிட்டு வெளியேறிவிடும்” என்றார் இயேசு. (இயேசு இதனைக் கூறும்போது, அவர் மக்கள் உண்ணும் எந்த உணவும் அவர்களைத் தீட்டுப்படுத்தாது என்று உணர்த்தினார்.)

20 மேலும் இயேசு, “மனிதனுக்குள்ளே இருந்து வெளிவரும் எதுவும் அவனைத் தீட்டுப்படுத்திவிடுகிறது. 21 கெட்டவை எல்லாம் மனிதனுக்குள்ளே இருந்துதான் பிறக்கின்றன. அவன் மனத்தில் கெட்ட எண்ணங்கள், பாலியல் குற்றங்கள், களவு, கொலை 22 விபசாரம், சுயநலம், தீயசெயல்கள், பொய், பொறாமை, புறங்கூறுதல், பெருமை பேசுதல், மூடவாழ்க்கை போன்றவை தோன்றும். 23 இத்தகைய கெட்டவை எல்லாம் மனிதனுக்குள்ளே இருந்துதான் வருகின்றன. இத்தீயவையே மனிதனை மாசுபடுத்துபவை” என்றார்.

யூதரல்லாத பெண்ணுக்கு உதவி

(மத்தேயு 15:21-28)

24 இயேசு அந்த இடத்தைவிட்டு தீரு பகுதிக்குச் சென்றார். அங்கிருந்த ஒரு வீட்டுக்குச் சென்றார். அங்குதான் அவர் இருக்கிறார் என்பதை அங்குள்ள மக்கள் அறிந்துகொள்ளக்கூடாது என்று இயேசு விரும்பினார். ஆனால் அவர் மக்களின் கவனத்திலிருந்து தப்பிக்க முடியவில்லை. 25 அவர் அங்கு இருப்பதை ஒரு பெண் கேள்வியுற்றாள். அவளது சிறு குமாரத்தி, அசுத்த ஆவியை உடையவள். எனவே, அவள் இயேசுவிடம் வந்து அவரது பாதத்தில் விழுந்து வணங்கினாள். 26 அவள் யூதர்குலத்துப் பெண் அல்ல. அவள் கிரேக்கப் பெண். சீரோபேனிக்கேயாவில் பிறந்தவள். அவள் தன் மகளைப் பிடித்த பிசாசை விரட்டுமாறு கெஞ்சிக் கேட்டுக்கொண்டாள்.

27 அந்தப் பெண்ணிடம் இயேசு, “பிள்ளைகளின் அப்பத்தை எடுத்து நாய்களிடம் கொடுப்பது சரியன்று. முதலில் பிள்ளைகள் தேவையான அளவு உண்ணட்டும்” என்றார்.

28 “அது உண்மை தான் ஆண்டவரே. பிள்ளைகள் உண்ணாத உணவுத் துணுக்குகளை மேசைக்கடியில் உள்ள நாய்கள் உண்ணலாமே” என்று அவள் பதில் சொன்னாள்.

29 பிறகு அந்தப் பெண்ணிடம் இயேசு, “இது நல்ல பதில். நீ போகலாம். பிசாசு உன் மகளை விட்டுப் போய்விட்டது” என்றார்.

30 அந்தப் பெண் வீட்டுக்குப் போனாள். தன் குழந்தை படுக்கையில் படுத்திருப்பதைக் கண்டாள். பிசாசு அவளை விட்டு நீங்கி இருந்தது.

செவிட்டு மனிதனைக் குணமாக்குதல்

31 பிறகு இயேசு தீரு பகுதியை விட்டு விலகி சீதோன் பகுதிக்குச் சென்றார். அங்கிருந்து அவர் கலிலேயா கடற்கரைக்குச் சென்றார். அங்கு இயேசு தெக்கப்போலி வழியாக வந்தார். 32 அங்கே அவர் இருக்கும்போது மக்கள் ஒரு மனிதனை அவரிடம் அழைத்து வந்தனர். அவன் ஒரு செவிடன். அவனால் பேசவும் முடியாது. அவனைக் குணப்படுத்தும் பொருட்டு அவன்மீது இயேசு தன் கையை வைக்குமாறு அவரிடம் அவர்கள் கெஞ்சிக் கேட்டனர்.

33 இயேசு அவனை அந்த மக்களிடமிருந்து விலக்கி தனியாய் அழைத்துச் சென்றார். அவர் தனது விரல்களை அவன் காது மீது வைத்தார். பிறகு இயேசு உமிழ்ந்து அவனது நாவையும் தொட்டார். 34 இயேசு ஆகாயத்தைப் பார்த்து பெருமூச்சுவிட்டார். பிறகு அந்த மனிதனிடம் இயேசு, “எப்பத்தா” என்றார். (அதற்குத் “திறக்கப்படுவாயாக” என்று பொருள்) 35 இயேசு இதனைச் செய்ததும் அந்த மனிதனால் கேட்க முடிந்து. பிறகு அவனால் நாவைப் பயன்படுத்தித் தெளிவாகப் பேசவும் முடிந்தது.

36 நடந்ததைப்பற்றி எவரிடமும் சொல்ல வேண்டாம் என்று இயேசு மக்களைக் கேட்டுக்கொண்டார். இயேசு எப்போதும் தன்னைப்பற்றி எவரிடமும் கூறவேண்டாம் என்றே கட்டளையிடுவார். ஆனால் இது மக்களை இயேசுவைப்பற்றி மற்றவர்களிடம் மேலும், மேலும் சொல்ல வைத்தது. 37 மக்கள் அவரைப்பற்றி மிகவும் பிரமித்துப் போனார்கள். அவர்கள், “இயேசு எல்லாவற்றையும் நல்ல முறையில் செய்கிறார். அவர் செவிடர்களைக் கேட்க வைக்கிறார். ஊமைகளைப் பேச வைக்கிறார்” என்று பேசிக்கொண்டனர்.

Ensino sobre a pureza interior

Certo dia, alguns fariseus e mestres da lei chegaram de Jerusalém para ver Jesus. Observaram que alguns de seus discípulos comiam sua refeição com as mãos impuras, ou seja, sem lavá-las. (Pois todos os judeus, sobretudo os fariseus, não comem sem antes lavar cuidadosamente as mãos, como exige a tradição dos líderes religiosos. Quando chegam do mercado, não comem coisa alguma sem antes mergulhar as mãos em água. Essa é apenas uma das muitas tradições às quais se apegam, como a lavagem de copos, jarras e panelas.[a])

Então os fariseus e mestres da lei lhe perguntaram: “Por que seus discípulos não seguem a tradição dos líderes religiosos? Eles comem sem antes realizar a cerimônia de lavar as mãos!”.

Jesus respondeu: “Hipócritas! Isaías tinha razão quando profetizou a seu respeito, pois escreveu:

‘Este povo me honra com os lábios,
mas o coração está longe de mim.
Sua adoração é uma farsa,
pois ensinam doutrinas humanas
como se fossem mandamentos de Deus’.[b]

Vocês desprezam a lei de Deus e a substituem por sua própria tradição”.

Disse ainda: “Vocês se esquivam com habilidade da lei de Deus para se apegar à sua própria tradição. 10 Por exemplo, Moisés deu esta lei: ‘Honre seu pai e sua mãe’[c] e ‘Quem insultar seu pai ou sua mãe será executado’.[d] 11 Vocês, porém, ensinam que alguém pode dizer a seus pais: ‘Não posso ajudá-los. Jurei entregar como oferta a Deus aquilo que eu teria dado a vocês’.[e] 12 Com isso, desobrigam as pessoas de cuidarem dos pais, 13 anulando a palavra de Deus a fim de transmitir sua própria tradição. E esse é apenas um exemplo entre muitos outros”.

14 Jesus chamou a multidão para perto de si e disse: “Ouçam, todos vocês, e procurem entender. 15 Não é o que entra no corpo que os contamina; vocês se contaminam com o que sai do coração. 16 Quem tem ouvidos para ouvir, ouça com atenção!”.[f]

17 Então Jesus entrou numa casa para se afastar da multidão, e seus discípulos lhe perguntaram o que ele queria dizer com a parábola que havia acabado de contar. 18 “Vocês também ainda não entendem?”, perguntou. “Não percebem que a comida que entra no corpo não pode contaminá-los? 19 O alimento não vai para o coração, mas apenas passa pelo estômago e vai parar no esgoto.” (Ao dizer isso, declarou que todo tipo de comida é aceitável.)

20 Em seguida, acrescentou: “Aquilo que vem de dentro é que os contamina. 21 Pois, de dentro, do coração da pessoa, vêm maus pensamentos, imoralidade sexual, roubo, homicídio, 22 adultério, cobiça, perversidade, engano, paixões carnais, inveja, calúnias, orgulho e insensatez. 23 Todas essas coisas desprezíveis vêm de dentro; são elas que os contaminam”.

A mulher siro-fenícia demonstra fé

24 Então Jesus deixou a Galileia e se dirigiu para o norte, para a região de Tiro.[g] Não queria que ninguém soubesse onde ele estava hospedado, mas não foi possível manter segredo. 25 De imediato, uma mulher que tinha ouvido falar dele veio e caiu a seus pés. A filha dela estava possuída por um espírito impuro, 26 e ela implorou que ele expulsasse o demônio que estava na menina.

Sendo ela grega, nascida na região da Fenícia, na Síria, 27 Jesus lhe disse: “Primeiro devem-se alimentar os filhos. Não é certo tirar comida das crianças e jogá-la aos cachorros”.

28 “Senhor, é verdade”, disse a mulher. “No entanto, até os cachorros, debaixo da mesa, comem as migalhas dos pratos dos filhos.”

29 “Boa resposta!”, disse Jesus. “Vá para casa, pois o demônio já deixou sua filha.” 30 E, quando ela chegou à sua casa, sua filha estava deitada na cama, e o demônio a havia deixado.

Jesus cura um surdo

31 Jesus saiu de Tiro e subiu para Sidom antes de voltar ao mar da Galileia e à região das Dez Cidades.[h] 32 Algumas pessoas lhe trouxeram um homem surdo e com dificuldade de fala, e lhe pediram que pusesse as mãos sobre ele e o curasse.

33 Jesus o afastou da multidão para ficar a sós com ele. Pôs os dedos nos ouvidos do homem e, em seguida, cuspiu nos dedos e tocou a língua dele. 34 Olhando para o céu, suspirou e disse: “Efatá!”, que significa “Abra-se!”. 35 No mesmo instante, o homem passou a ouvir perfeitamente; sua língua ficou livre, e ele começou a falar com clareza.

36 Jesus ordenou à multidão que não contasse a ninguém, mas, quanto mais ele os proibia, mais divulgavam o que havia acontecido. 37 Estavam muito admirados e diziam repetidamente: “Tudo que ele faz é maravilhoso! Ele até faz o surdo ouvir e o mudo falar!”.

Footnotes

  1. 7.4 Alguns manuscritos acrescentam e divãs.
  2. 7.7 Is 29.13, conforme a Septuaginta.
  3. 7.10a Êx 20.12; Dt 5.16.
  4. 7.10b Êx 21.17; Lv 20.9; ambos conforme a Septuaginta.
  5. 7.11 Em grego, O que eu teria lhes dado é Corbã, isto é, uma oferta.
  6. 7.16 Alguns manuscritos não trazem o versículo 16. Comparar com 4.9,23.
  7. 7.24 Alguns manuscritos acrescentam e Sidom.
  8. 7.31 Em grego, Decápolis.

That Which Defiles(A)

The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus and saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were defiled,(B) that is, unwashed. (The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders.(C) When they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and kettles.[a])(D)

So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, “Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders(E) instead of eating their food with defiled hands?”

He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written:

“‘These people honor me with their lips,
    but their hearts are far from me.
They worship me in vain;
    their teachings are merely human rules.’[b](F)

You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.”(G)

And he continued, “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe[c] your own traditions!(H) 10 For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and mother,’[d](I) and, ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’[e](J) 11 But you say(K) that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is Corban (that is, devoted to God)— 12 then you no longer let them do anything for their father or mother. 13 Thus you nullify the word of God(L) by your tradition(M) that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.”

14 Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. 15 Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.” [16] [f]

17 After he had left the crowd and entered the house, his disciples asked him(N) about this parable. 18 “Are you so dull?” he asked. “Don’t you see that nothing that enters a person from the outside can defile them? 19 For it doesn’t go into their heart but into their stomach, and then out of the body.” (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods(O) clean.)(P)

20 He went on: “What comes out of a person is what defiles them. 21 For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, 22 adultery, greed,(Q) malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. 23 All these evils come from inside and defile a person.”

Jesus Honors a Syrophoenician Woman’s Faith(R)

24 Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre.[g](S) He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence secret. 25 In fact, as soon as she heard about him, a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an impure spirit(T) came and fell at his feet. 26 The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter.

27 “First let the children eat all they want,” he told her, “for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”

28 “Lord,” she replied, “even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”

29 Then he told her, “For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.”

30 She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.

Jesus Heals a Deaf and Mute Man(U)

31 Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre(V) and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee(W) and into the region of the Decapolis.[h](X) 32 There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk,(Y) and they begged Jesus to place his hand on(Z) him.

33 After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then he spit(AA) and touched the man’s tongue. 34 He looked up to heaven(AB) and with a deep sigh(AC) said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means “Be opened!”). 35 At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly.(AD)

36 Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone.(AE) But the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it. 37 People were overwhelmed with amazement. “He has done everything well,” they said. “He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

Footnotes

  1. Mark 7:4 Some early manuscripts pitchers, kettles and dining couches
  2. Mark 7:7 Isaiah 29:13
  3. Mark 7:9 Some manuscripts set up
  4. Mark 7:10 Exodus 20:12; Deut. 5:16
  5. Mark 7:10 Exodus 21:17; Lev. 20:9
  6. Mark 7:16 Some manuscripts include here the words of 4:23.
  7. Mark 7:24 Many early manuscripts Tyre and Sidon
  8. Mark 7:31 That is, the Ten Cities

Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem.

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

For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.

And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables.

Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?

He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.

Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.

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

10 For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death:

11 But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free.

12 And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother;

13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

14 And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand:

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

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

17 And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable.

18 And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him;

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

20 And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.

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

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

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

24 And from thence he arose, and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and entered into an house, and would have no man know it: but he could not be hid.

25 For a certain woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of him, and came and fell at his feet:

26 The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter.

27 But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs.

28 And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs.

29 And he said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter.

30 And when she was come to her house, she found the devil gone out, and her daughter laid upon the bed.

31 And again, departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, he came unto the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis.

32 And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech him to put his hand upon him.

33 And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue;

34 And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened.

35 And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain.

36 And he charged them that they should tell no man: but the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal they published it;

37 And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.

Defilement Comes from Within(A)

Then (B)the Pharisees and some of the scribes came together to Him, having come from Jerusalem. Now [a]when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, with (C)unwashed hands, [b]they found fault. For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands [c]in a special way, holding the (D)tradition of the elders. When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other things which they have received and hold, like the washing of cups, pitchers, copper vessels, and couches.

(E)Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?”

He answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you (F)hypocrites, as it is written:

(G)‘This people honors Me with their lips,
But their heart is far from Me.
And in vain they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’

For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men—[d]the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do.”

He said to them, All too well (H)you [e]reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition. 10 For Moses said, (I)‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, (J)‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’ 11 But you say, ‘If a man says to his father or mother, (K)“Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban”—’ (that is, a gift to God), 12 then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother, 13 making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.”

14 (L)When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear Me, everyone, and (M)understand: 15 There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that (N)defile a man. 16 (O)If[f] anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!”

17 (P)When He had entered a house away from the crowd, His disciples asked Him concerning the parable. 18 So He said to them, (Q)“Are you thus without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, 19 because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, [g]thus purifying all foods?” 20 And He said, (R)“What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. 21 (S)For from within, out of the heart of men, (T)proceed evil thoughts, (U)adulteries, (V)fornications, murders, 22 thefts, (W)covetousness, wickedness, (X)deceit, (Y)lewdness, an evil eye, (Z)blasphemy, (AA)pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within and defile a man.”

A Gentile Shows Her Faith(AB)

24 (AC)From there He arose and went to the region of Tyre [h]and Sidon. And He entered a house and wanted no one to know it, but He could not be (AD)hidden. 25 For a woman whose young daughter had an unclean spirit heard about Him, and she came and (AE)fell at His feet. 26 The woman was a [i]Greek, a [j]Syro-Phoenician by birth, and she kept [k]asking Him to cast the demon out of her daughter. 27 But Jesus said to her, “Let the children be filled first, for it is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.”

28 And she answered and said to Him, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs under the table eat from the children’s crumbs.”

29 Then He said to her, “For this saying go your way; the demon has gone out of your daughter.”

30 And when she had come to her house, she found the demon gone out, and her daughter lying on the bed.

Jesus Heals a Deaf-Mute(AF)

31 (AG)Again, departing from the region of Tyre and Sidon, He came through the midst of the region of Decapolis to the Sea of Galilee. 32 Then (AH)they brought to Him one who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech, and they begged Him to put His hand on him. 33 And He took him aside from the multitude, and put His fingers in his ears, and (AI)He spat and touched his tongue. 34 Then, (AJ)looking up to heaven, (AK)He sighed, and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.”

35 (AL)Immediately his ears were opened, and the [l]impediment of his tongue was loosed, and he spoke plainly. 36 Then (AM)He commanded them that they should tell no one; but the more He commanded them, the more widely they proclaimed it. 37 And they were (AN)astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He (AO)makes both the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.”

Footnotes

  1. Mark 7:2 NU omits when
  2. Mark 7:2 NU omits they found fault
  3. Mark 7:3 Lit. with the fist
  4. Mark 7:8 NU omits the rest of v. 8.
  5. Mark 7:9 set aside
  6. Mark 7:16 NU omits v. 16.
  7. Mark 7:19 NU sets off the final phrase as Mark’s comment that Jesus has declared all foods clean.
  8. Mark 7:24 NU omits and Sidon
  9. Mark 7:26 Gentile
  10. Mark 7:26 A Syrian of Phoenicia
  11. Mark 7:26 begging
  12. Mark 7:35 Lit. bond