Devine Scripture

Mark 7:1

What does Mark 7:1 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 7:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 7:1 means

This verse sets the scene: Pharisees and some scribes who had come from Jerusalem gather around Jesus. Their presence signals an official, confrontational scrutiny of Jesus’ teaching by the religious establishment. The arrival of these representatives of orthodoxy points to a public test of Jesus’ authority and practice. The mention that they came from Jerusalem underscores the seriousness of their complaint and their vested interest in maintaining traditional interpretations of the law and purity.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And there are gathered together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, who had come from Jerusalem,

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And there are gathered together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, who had come from Jerusalem,

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And there came together to him the Pharisees and certain of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And gathered together unto him are the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, having come from Jerusalem,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And there assembled together unto him the Pharisees and some of the scribes, coming from Jerusalem.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And the Pharisees and some of the scribes, coming from Jerusalem, are gathered together to him,

Context

As the opening verse of the chapter, this introduces the conflict that dominates the first half: a charged exchange over purity and tradition. What follows is the complaint about the disciples’ hands and Jesus’ response. This verse frames the debate as coming from authoritative religious figures, not casual critics, setting a tone of doctrinal judgment that Jesus will confront.

v.1This passage

v.2and had seen that some of his disciples ate their bread with defiled, that is, unwashen, hands.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Luke 5:17

    And it came to pass on one of those days, that he was teaching; and there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, who were come out of every village of Galilee and Judæa and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was with him to heal.

  • Matthew 15:1

    Then there come to Jesus from Jerusalem Pharisees and scribes, saying,

  • Mark 3:22

    And the scribes that came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and, By the prince of the demons casteth he out the demons.

  • Luke 11:53

    And when he was come out from thence, the scribes and the Pharisees began to press upon him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things;

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