Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Mark 7:7
Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching [for] doctrines the commandments of men.
Howbeit, in vain do they worship me,…. This is the continuation of the citation out of Isaiah, as is also what follows:
teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. As all these traditions mentioned were such; as washing their hands before they ate bread, and their whole bodies, when they came from the market, or from any court of judicature, or concourse of men, where they had been touched by the common people, and the washing of cups, pots, brazen vessels, and tables, or beds; these they taught the people, and enjoined them the observance of them: instead of instructing them in the doctrines of the Bible, respecting the Messiah, and salvation by him, the right fear, and true worship of God, his ordinances and statutes; wherefore their worship of him, though attended with a great show of sanctity and religion, was a vain thing, a mere empty thing, devoid of life, power, and spirituality, unacceptable to God, and of no real use, profit, and advantage to themselves: it neither issued in the glory of God, nor brought any true pleasure, or solid peace to themselves; and they would find, by sad experience, that their hope of being in the favour of God, and of enjoying eternal happiness on account of it, would prove a vain hope; [See comments on Mt 15:9].
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
1) “Howbeit in vain do they worship me,” (maten de sebontai me) “Still in vanity they worship me,” calling compliance with ritualistic, traditional form, worship. They made washing of hands an object or center of worship, a means through which one had to go to worship the Redeemer. It was in conflict with the Word of Jesus, Joh 4:24.
2) “Teaching for doctrines,” (didaskontes didaskalias) “Repeatedly teaching for or as doctrines,” something He had not commanded them. In this they broke, rather than kept or fulfilled, the Law, Deu 12:32. They were teaching traditions of uninspired men as doctrine.
3) “The commandments of men.” (entalmata anthropon) “The commandments or mandates of men,” without Divine moral or ethical sanction, thereby adding to the Word of God, in violation of and contradiction of the very law of their God, Pro 30:6.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(7) In vain do they worship me.The word used here and in Mat. 15:9, is not that commonly used to express the outward act of homage, but one which expresses (as in Act. 18:13) inward devotion.
The commandments.The two Greek words used for commandment in this and the following verses are, as has been said in the Note on Mat. 15:9, not quite the same in meaning; that in this verse pointing to many detailed precepts; that in the next to the commandment which is exceeding broad.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Mar 7:7. Teaching for doctrines, &c. Teaching doctrines which are human injunctions. The words seem to allude to Isa 29:13. The word , in general, signifies any lesson; and the purpose to which our Lord here applies it, plainly shews that it must refer to ritual injunctions. See Doddridge.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Ver. 7. In vain do they worship me ] Since they do lose their labour, and worse; for they commit sin. Displeasing service is double dishonour.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
worship. Greek. sebomai. App-137.
commandments = injunctions.
men. Greek plural of anthropos. App-123.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
for doctrines
as authoritative the precepts of men. Cf. v. Mar 7:5 See “Pharisees” Mat 3:7 (See Scofield “Mat 3:7”) Cf.; Col 2:8; Col 2:16; Col 2:18; Col 2:20; Col 2:23
Fuente: Scofield Reference Bible Notes
in vain: 1Sa 12:21, Mal 3:14, Mat 6:7, Mat 15:9, 1Co 15:14, 1Co 15:58, Tit 3:9, Jam 1:26, Jam 2:20
the commandments: Deu 12:32, Col 2:22, 1Ti 4:1-3, Rev 14:11, Rev 14:12, Rev 22:18
Reciprocal: Isa 8:20 – it is Isa 24:5 – changed Mar 7:3 – the tradition Luk 5:39 – General Act 5:29 – We Tit 1:14 – commandments
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
7
Regardless of the apparent goodness of the worship that is offered to God, if it is based on the command ments of men the worship is vain or useless.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
7:7 {3} Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching [for] doctrines the commandments of men.
(3) The more earnest the superstitious are, the more mad they are in promising themselves God’s favour because of their deeds.