See this passage explained in the notes at Matthew 15:1. Mark 7:1 CAME FROM JERUSALEM - Probably to observe his conduct, and to find matter of accusation against him. Mark 7:2 DEFILED HANDS - The hands were considered defiled or polluted unless they were washed previous to every meal. Mark 7:3... [ Continue Reading ]
See this miracle explained in the notes at Matthew 15:21. Mark 7:24 WOULD HAVE NO MAN KNOW IT - To avoid the designs of the Pharisees he wished to be retired. Mark 7:26 A GREEK - The Jews called all persons “Greeks” who were not of their nation. Compare Romans 1:14. The whole world was considere... [ Continue Reading ]
DEPARTING FROM THE COASTS - The country or regions of Tyre. CAME UNTO THE SEA OF GALILEE - The Sea of Tiberias. See the notes at Matthew 4:18. DECAPOLIS - See the notes at Matthew 4:25. He did not go immediately into Capernaum, or any city where he was known, but into the retired regions around th... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY BRING - That is, his friends brought, or the people brought. ONE THAT WAS DEAF, AND HAD AN IMPEDIMENT IN HIS SPEECH - Not entirely mute, but who spoke indistinctly or with difficulty. His deafness might not have been of long standing, and his speech, therefore, not entirely ruined. TO PUT HIS... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE TOOK HIM ASIDE FROM THE MULTITUDE - Why this was done we have no means of information. It might have been to conceal from the multitude everything respecting the “manner” of cure, in order that none might attempt to cure in a similar way. AND HE PUT HIS FINGERS INTO HIS EARS ... - Why this wa... [ Continue Reading ]
LOOKED UP TO HEAVEN - To lift up the eyes to heaven is an act imploring aid from God, and is an attitude of prayer, Psalms 121:1; Mark 6:41; John 11:41. HE SIGHED - Pitying the sufferings of the man who stood before him. EPHPHATHA - This word is “Syriac,” the language which our Lord used in addres... [ Continue Reading ]
THE STRING OF HIS TONGUE WAS LOOSED - The difficulty in his speaking was removed.... [ Continue Reading ]
TELL NO MAN - Do not noise it abroad. He was not ambitious of being known, and he knew that if much was said of his cures, it would excite the jealousy of the Pharisees and endanger his life.... [ Continue Reading ]
BEYOND MEASURE - Exceedingly; very much. In the Greek, “Very abundantly.” HE HATH DONE ALL THINGS WELL - All things in a remarkable manner; or, he has perfectly effected the cure of this deaf-mute.... [ Continue Reading ]