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Mark 7:21-23
For from within, out of people’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immoralities, thefts, murders, adulteries, greed, evil actions, deceit, self-indulgence, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a person.”

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Mark 7 Summary:

• Debate on Tradition: Jesus is challenged by Pharisees about his disciples not following traditional hand-washing rituals. Jesus criticizes them for valuing human traditions over God’s commandments.
• Inner Purity: Jesus teaches that defilement comes not from what enters the body but from what comes out of it, explaining that evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, pride, and folly come from within, making a person unclean.
• Healing of the Syrophoenician Woman’s Daughter: Jesus heals the daughter of a Gentile woman, demonstrating that his ministry extends beyond Jews to all who have faith.
• Healing of a Deaf and Mute Man: Jesus heals a deaf man with a speech impediment, showing compassion and power over physical ailments.

This chapter emphasizes the importance of inner purity over external religious rituals, highlighting that true defilement comes from the heart, not from external contaminants or neglect of ceremonial laws. It also broadens the scope of Jesus’ mission to include Gentiles, illustrating that faith, not ethnicity, is key to receiving God’s grace.

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Mark 6:5-6
He was not able to do a miracle there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. And he was amazed at their unbelief. He was going around the villages teaching.

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Jesus returns to Nazareth but is rejected by His own people due to their familiarity with Him. He sends out the Twelve to preach repentance, heal, and cast out demons. Herod hears about Jesus and mistakes Him for John the Baptist, whom he had beheaded. Jesus feeds the five thousand, walks on water, and heals many in Gennesaret.

This chapter highlights the theme of rejection and recognition, illustrating how Jesus and His disciples face disbelief and opposition even while demonstrating divine power and authority.

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