_Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees_ See notes on Mark 7:1, where the facts here spoken of are related more at large. _Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders_ That is, of the principal doctors or teachers among the Jews. _They wash not when they eat bread_ Food in general... [ Continue Reading ]
_Ye hypocrites_ To substitute superstitious observances of man's invention, in the place of obedience to God's commands, is downright hypocrisy; it is, however, the prerogative of Him who searches the heart, and knows what is in man, to pronounce who are hypocrites. And as hypocrisy is a sin which o... [ Continue Reading ]
_And he called the multitude_ Having shown the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, and condemned them for the unwarrantable stress which they laid on their vain and precarious traditions, he took this opportunity to undeceive the people, and let them see how insignificant that outward strictness was on whic... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then came his disciples_ Namely, when he was come into the house, apart from the multitude; _and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended_, &c. The apostles, it seems, would gladly have conciliated the good-will of the Pharisees, thinking it might be of service to their cause; a... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let them alone_ Do not trouble or concern yourselves about their censures: neither court their favour nor dread their displeasure, nor much care though they be offended. Seek not to please a generation of men that please not God, 1 Thessalonians 2:15; and will be pleased with nothing less than abso... [ Continue Reading ]
_Peter said, Declare unto us this parable_ That is, the sentence, maxim, or proverb, mentioned Matthew 15:11. _Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth the man_, &c. A declaration very intelligible, and evidently true, and yet appearing to the disciples obscure, and needing explanation, or doubt... [ Continue Reading ]
_Jesus departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon_ Not to those cities which were to have no share in his mighty works, Matthew 11:21; but into that part of the land of Israel which bordered on their coast. _And behold a woman of Canaan_ Or, _a Syrophœnician_, as she is called, Mark 7:26; Canaan bei... [ Continue Reading ]
_Jesus came unto the sea of Galilee_ The Jews gave the name of seas to all large lakes. This was one hundred furlongs long, and forty broad. It was called also _the sea of Tiberias._ It lay on the borders of Galilee, and the city of Tiberias stood on its western shore. It was likewise styled _the la... [ Continue Reading ]
_Jesus called his disciples, and said, I have compassion_, &c. For some observations on the contents of these verses, see the notes on Mark 8:1.... [ Continue Reading ]