See also Mark 7:1. THEN CAME TO JESUS ... - Mark says that they saw the disciples of Jesus eating with unwashed hands. Matthew 15:2 TRANSGRESS THE TRADITION OF THE ELDERS - The world “elders” literally means “old men.” Here it means the “ancients,” or their “ancestors.” The “tradition of the elde... [ Continue Reading ]
See also Mark 7:15. AND HE CALLED THE MULTITUDE - In opposition to the doctrines of the Pharisees, the Saviour took occasion to show them that the great source of pollution was the heart. They supposed that external things chiefly defiled a man. On this all their doctrines about purification were f... [ Continue Reading ]
See also Mark 7:17. THEN ANSWERED PETER, AND SAID UNTO HIM, DECLARE UNTO US THIS PARABLE - See the notes at Matthew 13:3. The word “parable” sometimes means a dark or obscure saying, Psalms 78:2. Peter meant, “Explain to us more fully this obscure and novel doctrine.” To us, now, it is plain; to th... [ Continue Reading ]
This narrative is also found in Mark 7:24. THE COASTS OF TYRE AND SIDON - These cities were on the seacoast or shore of the Mediterranean. See the notes at Matthew 11:21. Jesus went there for the purpose of concealment Mark 7:24, perhaps still to avoid Herod. Matthew 15:22 A WOMAN OF CANAAN - Thi... [ Continue Reading ]
SEA OF GALILEE - That is, the Lake of Gennesaret. For an account of the principal diseases mentioned here, see the notes at Matthew 4:24. MAIMED - Those to whom a hand or foot was wanting. See Matthew 18:8. To cure them - that is, to restore a hand or foot - was a direct act of creative power. It i... [ Continue Reading ]
The miracle recorded here - the feeding of the four thousand - took place on a mountain near the Sea of Galilee. The same account is recorded in Mark 8:1. The circumstances of the miracle are so similar to the one recorded in Matthew 14:14, as to need little additional explanation. Matthew 15:32 T... [ Continue Reading ]