Mk. 7: 1-8, 14-15, 21-23 Tradition of the Elders
Background
I have drawn this background material from the fourth volume of John P. Meier’s A Marginal Jew in which he devotes 55 pages to this one passage that reference 145 notes covering an additional 35 pages. In other words, there is a lot going on here. This passage is one small part of a larger whole in which Fr. Meier delves into the relationship between Jesus and the Jewish Purity Laws. But we must stay focused on just a few observations
that he makes, to better appreciate God’s word to us. It’s obvious too that the church has selected out only a segment of this passage but I have chosen to provide the entire periocope, that is, the biblical unit.
This outline of the passage may help in seeing what Mark is getting at; it also helps in discerning the focus of our church’s choice of verses to be read and which not to include. The choice always raises the question, why?
1. First Half [ 7:1-13]: Jesus’ Critique of the Tradition of the Elders
- First Unit [vv 1 – 5]: The Question about Eating with Unclean Hands
- Second Unit [vv 6-13]: Jesus’ Two Replies, First from the Prophets, then from the Law
2. Pivot [7:14 – 15]: Jesus Teaches the Crowd His Aphorism on Defilement
3. Second Half [7:16 – 23]: Jesus Explains to His Disciples His Aphorim on Defilement
- First Unit [vv 17-18a]: The Question of the Disciples and the Rebuking Questions of Jesus
- Second Unit [vv 18b – 19]: First Half of Aphorism Explained – Nothing from the Outside Defiles
- Third Unit [vv 20 – 23]: Second Half of Aphorism Explained – Things from Within Defile
This whole passage gives us a clear example of the early Christian Community coming to grips with what it means for them to discern what of their heritage their commitment to Christ required them to jettison and what of their heritage that same commitment required them to embrace. Although the content of the discernment is different in our times, the call remains the same. But how to discern what values in our heritage are we to jettison and what to embrace; that is the question. Reading this passage beyond our clear non issue with purity laws to discover what is the same call in our time. In other words what are we holding on to that we need to let go of. It is only in open dialogue amongst ourselves that we can take the first step; otherwise what does this passage mean. The source of the conflict of values are present, in part, in the hot button issues of our day, the political conflicts represented by out two party system, the issues that matter to you – meaning that you have an emotional reaction to. Feelings matter are clues to what we value but not necessarily to what is of value. God is alive in us.
Our Questions
I have attempted to focus the answer to our last question, what is the theme, purpose of this passage. Below again are the characters and our leading question what role do they play in this passage? What does the passage communique in the when of our own lives?
Our Characters
1. Pharisees raise a question and then disappear from the narrative
2. Some scribes from Jerusalem – part of the questioning and they too disappear from the narrative
3. His disciples – unnamed; alone with Jesus they question him
4. All Jews
5. Jesus from his initial response is the only one who speaks thereafter
- Quotes Isaiah and then Moses
- Summons the Crowd – tells them his aphorism
- Responds to the Disciples question
My refrain:
Before we read though, let’s quiet ourselves, remember whatever we can from the background, our questions and, most importantly, pay attention to what happens
inside of us as we read.
The Reading
1 Now when the Pharisees with some scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around him,
2 they observed that some of his disciples ate their meals with unclean, that is, unwashed, hands.
3 (For the Pharisees and, in fact, all Jews, do not eat without carefully washing their hands, keeping the tradition of the elders.
4 And on coming from the marketplace they do not eat without purifying themselves. And there are many other things that they have traditionally observed, the purification of cups and jugs and kettles [and beds].)
5 So the Pharisees and scribes questioned him, “Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders* but instead eat a meal with unclean hands?”
6 He responded, “Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me;
7 In vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts.’
8 You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition.”
9 He went on to say, “How well you have set aside the commandment of God in order to uphold your tradition!
10 For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and ‘Whoever curses father or mother shall die.’
11 Yet you say, ‘If a person says to father or mother, “Any support you might have had from me is qorban”’ (meaning, dedicated to God),
12 you allow him to do nothing more for his father or mother.
13 You nullify the word of God in favor of your tradition that you have handed on. And you do many such things.”
14 He summoned the crowd again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand.
15 Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile.”
16 –
17 When he got home away from the crowd his disciples questioned him about the parable.
18 He said to them, “Are even you likewise without understanding? Do you not realize that everything that goes into a person from outside cannot defile,
19 since it enters not the heart but the stomach and passes out into the latrine?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.)
20 “But what comes out of a person, that is what defiles.
21 From within people, from their hearts, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder,
22 adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly.
23 All these evils come from within and they defile.”
Your responses, questions, and / or comments are welcomed. You can add them by clicking on the comment link at the end of this post.