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Book of Mark - Chapter 7 - Verse 9

7:9
And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.

Meaning

Jesus is warning his disciples about prioritizing man-made traditions over God's commandments. In this verse, he is admonishing them for disregarding God's instructions in favor of their own customs and practices. By doing so, they are negating the authority of God's word and placing human traditions above divine truth. Jesus is emphasizing the importance of following God's commandments wholeheartedly and not allowing personal traditions to supersede them. He is urging his disciples to align their actions and beliefs with God's will rather than conforming to societal norms or cultural practices. This verse serves as a reminder to prioritize obedience to God's word above all else, and to guard against the temptation to prioritize tradition over divine commandment.

Theological Overview

In this verse, Jesus is addressing the scribes and Pharisees, rebuking them for prioritizing their traditions over the commandments of God. The word "reject" in this context signifies a deliberate decision to set aside or disregard the divine instructions in favor of man-made practices. The theological interpretation of this verse emphasizes the importance of obedience to God's commands over human traditions. Jesus is highlighting the danger of allowing our own customs and rituals to take precedence over the principles and teachings of Scripture. This passage serves as a reminder to believers to continually evaluate their beliefs and practices in light of God's Word, ensuring that they are in alignment with His will and not overshadowed by human tradition. Through word studies on terms like "commandment" and "tradition," we can gain a deeper understanding of the contrast Jesus is drawing between God's authoritative instructions and the customs and rituals devised by humans.

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