Mark 7:1

συνάγονται. Hitherto it has been a not unfriendly company that has gathered together where the great Teacher and Healer was to be found (Mark 1:33; Mark 2:2; Mark 3:10; Mark 3:32; Mark 4:1; Mark 5:21; Mark 6:31; Mark 6:55). Hostile elements have sometimes intruded (Mark 2:6; Mark 2:16; Mark 2:18; Mark 3:6; Mark 3:22), but they have been exceptional. Here the gathering consists of hostile critics.

οἱ Φαρισαῖοι. See on Mark 2:16; they were last mentioned as plotting His death (Mark 3:6).

ἐλθόντες�. See on Mark 10:32. This may mean that a new party of Scribes (Mark 3:22) had arrived. Non ad verbum audiendum, non ad quaerendam medelam, sed ad movendas solum quaestionum pugnas, ad Dominum concurrunt (Bede). Put a full stop at the end of the verse (A.V.); ἰδόντες is not to be coupled with ἐλθόντες.