Skip to content

The Word of God is superior to the traditions of men.

BibleGateway: Mark 7:1-13

ESV Text: Mark 7:1-13


KJV Text:

The section starts at about 0:0 and ends at about 1:57

Right click here to save the file for off-line use.

     1 Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem. 2 And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault. 3 For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. 4 And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brazen vessels, and of tables. 5 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands? 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. 7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. 9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. 10 For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death: 11 But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free. 12 And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother; 13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.(KJV)


Hymn: TLH 292:
Lord Jesus Christ, With Us Abide

— Organ Audio

Right click here to save the file for off-line use.


1. Lord Jesus Christ, with us abide, 
For round us falls the eventide; 
Nor let Thy Word, that heavenly light, 
For us be ever veiled in night. 

2. In these last days of sore distress 
Grant us, dear Lord, true steadfastness 
That pure we keep, till life is spent, 
Thy holy Word and Sacrament. 

3. Lord Jesus, help, Thy Church uphold, 
For we are sluggish, thoughtless, cold. 
Oh, prosper well Thy Word of grace 
And spread its truth in every place! 

4. Oh, keep us in Thy Word, we pray; 
The guile and rage of Satan stay! 
Oh, may Thy mercy never cease! 
Give concord, patience, courage, peace. 

5. O God, how sin’s dread works abound! 
Throughout the earth no rest is found, 
And falsehood’s spirit wide has spread, 
And error boldly rears its head. 

6. The haughty spirits, Lord, restrain 
Who o’er Thy Church with might would reign 
And always set forth something new, 
Devised to change Thy doctrine true. 

7. And since the cause and glory, Lord, 
Are Thine, not ours, to us afford 
Thy help and strength and constancy. 
With all our heart we trust in Thee. 

8. A trusty weapon is Thy Word, 
Thy Church’s buckler, shield and sword. 
Oh, let us in its power confide 
That we may seek no other guide! 

9. Oh, grant that in Thy holy Word 
We here may live and die, dear Lord; 
And when our journey endeth here, 
Receive us into glory there.