Mark 7:1-23
Key Verse 7:19 –For it doesn’t go into his heart but into his stomach, and then out of his body.” (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods “clean”)
 

1. Read verses 1-5.  What was in the hearts of the Pharisees who came to Jesus?  Why did they criticize the disciples? (Jn 5:18; Mk 3:6)  What were the traditions of the Pharisees regarding hand washing?
 

2. Where did the tradition come from?  What might be its value? (Neh 13:23-28)  How did the Pharisees misuse it?
 

3. Read verses 6-8.  How did these Pharisees fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah?  How did Jesus rebuke them?  Think of some examples of following the traditions of men instead of the laws of God.
 

4. Read verses 9-13.  How did the Pharisees set aside the commands of God in order to observe the traditions of men?  Read verses 14-15.  What does and does not make a person unclean? What does this mean?
 

5. Read verses 17-23.  How did Jesus explain to his disciples the meaning of “unclean”?  Why are the thoughts of one’s heart so important?  What really corrupts a person and ruins his life? (Php 4:8; 2Co 10:5b; Ps 24:3,4)