Mark 7:6
He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀποκριθεὶς
He answered
G611
ἀποκριθεὶς
He answered
Strong's:
G611
Word #:
3 of 30
to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)
αὐτῶν
their
G846
αὐτῶν
their
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
5 of 30
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὅτι
G3754
προεφήτευσεν
prophesied
G4395
προεφήτευσεν
prophesied
Strong's:
G4395
Word #:
8 of 30
to foretell events, divine, speak under inspiration, exercise the prophetic office
περὶ
of
G4012
περὶ
of
Strong's:
G4012
Word #:
10 of 30
properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὑποκριτῶν
hypocrites
G5273
ὑποκριτῶν
hypocrites
Strong's:
G5273
Word #:
13 of 30
an actor under an assumed character (stage-player), i.e., (figuratively) a dissembler ("hypocrite"
ὡς
as
G5613
ὡς
as
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
14 of 30
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
γέγραπται
it is written
G1125
γέγραπται
it is written
Strong's:
G1125
Word #:
15 of 30
to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe
Οὗτος
This
G3778
Οὗτος
This
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
16 of 30
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λαὸς
people
G2992
λαὸς
people
Strong's:
G2992
Word #:
18 of 30
a people (in general; thus differing from g1218, which denotes one's own populace)
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
χείλεσίν
with their lips
G5491
χείλεσίν
with their lips
Strong's:
G5491
Word #:
20 of 30
a lip (as a pouring place); figuratively, a margin (of water)
τιμᾷ
honoureth
G5091
τιμᾷ
honoureth
Strong's:
G5091
Word #:
22 of 30
to prize, i.e., fix a valuation upon; by implication, to revere
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
23 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καρδία
heart
G2588
καρδία
heart
Strong's:
G2588
Word #:
25 of 30
the heart, i.e., (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle
αὐτῶν
their
G846
αὐτῶν
their
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
26 of 30
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἀπέχει
is
G568
ἀπέχει
is
Strong's:
G568
Word #:
28 of 30
(actively) to have out, i.e., receive in full; (intransitively) to keep (oneself) away, i.e., be distant (literally or figuratively)
Cross References
Isaiah 29:13Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:Titus 1:16They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.Ezekiel 33:31And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness.2 Timothy 3:5Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.John 5:42But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you.John 15:24If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.Acts 28:25And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,
Historical Context
Pharisees criticized disciples for eating without washing hands (tradition not Torah requirement). Jesus responds by exposing their hypocrisy. External ritual without heart devotion is empty. Isaiah condemned similar problem 700 years earlier same issue persists. Human religion tends toward externalism ritual tradition at expense of heart. Medieval church fell into same trap. Reformation emphasized internal faith external works flow from inner reality not produce it. Sola fide by faith alone external religion cannot save. Must be born again internal transformation. Modern church battles same issue church attendance religious activity without genuine conversion relationship with Christ.
Questions for Reflection
- What is difference between external religious observance and genuine heart devotion?
- How does human religion tend toward ritual tradition at expense of true faith and what is remedy?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
He answered said Well has Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites as it is written This people honors me with lips but heart is far from me. Jesus quotes Isaiah 29:13. Hypocrites hupokritai actors wearing masks. This people houtosho laos. Honors tima external show. With lips tois cheilesin verbal confession. But de contrast. Heart kardia inner reality. Is far from me apechei long distance separation. External religion without internal reality. Form without substance. Going through motions. Reformed theology emphasizes distinction between form and power of religion. Outward observance does not equal salvation. Circumcision of heart not just flesh. True faith internal transformation visible in life but rooted in heart. External conformity without internal change is hypocrisy.