Mark:7

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* Verse 1-13 - One great design of Christ 's coming was , to set aside the ceremonial law ; and to make way for this , he rejects the ceremonies men added to the law of God 's making . Those clean hands and that pure heart which Christ bestows on his disciples , and requires of them , are very different from the outward and superstitious forms of Pharisees of every age . Jesus reproves them for rejecting the commandment of God . It is clear that it is the duty of children , if their parents are poor , to relieve them as far as they are able ; and if children deserve to die that curse their parents , much more those that starve them . But if a man conformed to the traditions of the Pharisees , they found a device to free him from the claim of this duty . * Verse 14-23 - Our wicked thoughts and affections , words and actions , defile us , and these only . As a corrupt fountain sends forth corrupt streams , so does a corrupt heart send forth corrupt reasonings , corrupt appetites and passions , and all the wicked words and actions that come from them . A spiritual understanding of the law of God , and a sense of the evil of sin , will cause a man to seek for the grace of the Holy Spirit , to keep down the evil thoughts and affections that work within . * Verse 24-30 - Christ never put any from him that fell at his feet , which a poor trembling soul may do . As she was a good woman , so a good mother . This sent her to Christ . His saying , Let the children first be filled , shows that there was mercy for the Gentiles , and not far off . She spoke , not as making light of the mercy , but magnifying the abundance of miraculous cures among the Jews , in comparison with which a single cure was but as a crumb . Thus , while proud Pharisees are left by the blessed Saviour , he manifests his compassion to poor humbled sinners , who look to him for children 's bread . He still goes about to seek and save the lost . * Verse 31-37 - Here is a cure of one that was deaf and dumb . Those who brought this poor man to Christ , besought him to observe the case , and put forth his power . Our Lord used more outward actions in the doing of this cure than usual . These were only signs of Christ 's power to cure the man , to encourage his faith , and theirs that brought him . Though we find great variety in the cases and manner of relief of those who applied to Christ , yet all obtained the relief they sought . Thus it still is in the great concerns of our souls . **** Matthew Henry 's Commentary ****

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