Pharisees and scribes from Jerusalem challenge the disciples' eating with unwashed hands, prompting Jesus' counter-accusation that their Corban tradition voids the commandment to honor parents and His teaching that defilement comes from the heart, not from food. Jesus withdraws to the region of Tyre where a Syrophoenician woman's persistent faith overcomes initial refusal, securing her daughter's deliverance from an unclean spirit. In the Decapolis, Jesus heals a deaf man with a speech impediment using spittle and the Aramaic command 'Ephphatha,' ordering secrecy that only increases proclamation and amazement.
Read Mark Chapter 7 Summary
Original
Characters in This Chapter
Places in This Chapter
Sidon
View on MapSidon was an ancient Phoenician port city, often mentioned with its sister city Tyre. Queen Jezebel was a Sidonian princess. Jesus visited the region and healed the daughter of a Syrophoenician woman. Sidon was known for its skilled craftsmen and maritime trade. Paul stopped briefly in Sidon on his voyage to Rome.
Sea of Galilee
View on MapThe Sea of Galilee, also known as Lake Tiberias or Lake Gennesaret, is a freshwater lake in Israel where much of Jesus' ministry took place. Jesus called his first disciples, fishermen Peter, Andrew, James, and John, from its shores. He performed many miracles here including walking on water, calming a storm, and the miraculous catch of fish. The Sermon on the Mount was delivered on a hillside overlooking this lake.
Position in Book
PreparationChapters 1:1-13
John the Baptist, Jesus' baptism and temptation.
Galilean MinistryChapters 1:14-8:26
Miracles, conflicts, parables, expanding fame.
Road to JerusalemChapters 8:27-10:52
Passion WeekChapters 11-16
Bible Bites
Mark Originally Ended with Fear
The earliest manuscripts of Mark end abruptly at 16:8 with the women fleeing the tomb in fear and saying nothing to anyone. The longer ending (verses 9-20) was added later by scribes who thought this ending too sudden.
Mark 16:8