Mark 7:13

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Mark 7:13 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “making void the word of God by your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things ye do.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

making void the word of God by your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things ye do.
Mark 7:13 — American Standard Version

Context — Mark 7

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
13making void the word of God by your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things ye do.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Making the word of God of none effect, through your tradition, etc..] Beza says, in his most ancient copy it is read, “your foolish tradition”; and such it was indeed, that a vow made rashly, and in a passion, or if ever so deliberately entered into, should be more binding upon a man than the law of God; that rather than break this, he should transgress a divine command; and that though he might see his folly, and repent of his sin in making such a wicked vow, he could not go back from it, without the permission of a wise man: should his poor distressed parents come to him for assistance, he was obliged to answer them, that he had bound himself by a vow, that they should receive no advantage…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“See this passage explained in the notes at Matthew 15:1-20. Mark 7:1 Came from Jerusalem - Probably to observe his conduct, and to find matter of accusation against him. Mark 7:2 Defiled hands - The hands were considered defiled or polluted unless they were washed previous to every meal. Mark 7:3 Except they wash their hands oft - Our word “oft” means frequently, often. The Greek wore translated oft has been rendered various ways. Some have said that it means “up to the wrist” - unless they wash their hands up to the wrist. Others have said up to the elbow.” There is evidence that the Pharisees had some such foolish rule as this about washing, and it is likely that they practiced it…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“7:13 The result of such traditions was to cancel the word of God. • only one example among many others: It was not an isolated instance; see, e.g., Isa 1:10-20; 58:1-14.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the word: Mar 7:9; Isa 8:20; Jer 8:8, Jer 8:9; Hos 8:12; Mat 5:17-20, Mat 15:6; Tit 1:14 such: Eze 18:14; Gal 5:21 Mark 7:14”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification