Mark 7:13
New International Version
Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.”

New Living Translation
And so you cancel the word of God in order to hand down your own tradition. And this is only one example among many others.”

English Standard Version
thus making void the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And many such things you do.”

Berean Standard Bible
Thus you nullify the word of God by the tradition you have handed down. And you do so in many such matters.”

Berean Literal Bible
making void the word of God for your tradition, which you have handed down. And you do many things like such."

King James Bible
Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

New King James Version
making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.”

New American Standard Bible
thereby invalidating the word of God by your tradition which you have handed down; and you do many things such as that.”

NASB 1995
thus invalidating the word of God by your tradition which you have handed down; and you do many things such as that.”

NASB 1977
thus invalidating the word of God by your tradition which you have handed down; and you do many things such as that.”

Legacy Standard Bible
thus invalidating the word of God by your tradition which you have handed down; and you do many things such as that.”

Amplified Bible
so you nullify the [authority of the] word of God [acting as if it did not apply] because of your tradition which you have handed down [through the elders]. And you do many things such as that.”

Christian Standard Bible
You nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many other similar things.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
You revoke God’s word by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many other similar things.”

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

Contemporary English Version
And you ignore God's commands in order to follow your own teaching. You do a lot of other things just as bad.

English Revised Version
making void the word of God by your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things ye do.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Because of your traditions you have destroyed the authority of God's word. And you do many other things like that."

Good News Translation
In this way the teaching you pass on to others cancels out the word of God. And there are many other things like this that you do."

International Standard Version
You are destroying the word of God through your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many other things like that."

Majority Standard Bible
Thus you nullify the word of God by the tradition you have handed down. And you do so in many such matters.?

NET Bible
Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like this."

New Heart English Bible
making void the word of God by your tradition, which you have handed down. You do many things like this."

Webster's Bible Translation
Making the word of God of no effect through your traditions, which ye have delivered: and many such like things ye do.

Weymouth New Testament
thus nullifying God's precept by your tradition which you have handed down. And many things of that kind you do."

World English Bible
making void the word of God by your tradition which you have handed down. You do many things like this.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
setting aside the word of God for your tradition that you delivered; and many such like things you do.”

Berean Literal Bible
making void the word of God for your tradition, which you have handed down. And you do many things like such."

Young's Literal Translation
setting aside the word of God for your tradition that ye delivered; and many such like things ye do.'

Smith's Literal Translation
Abrogating the word of God by your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things ye do.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Making void the word of God by your own tradition, which you have given forth. And many other such like things you do.

Catholic Public Domain Version
rescinding the word of God through your tradition, which you have handed down. And you do many other similar things in this way.”

New American Bible
You nullify the word of God in favor of your tradition that you have handed on. And you do many such things.”

New Revised Standard Version
thus making void the word of God through your tradition that you have handed on. And you do many things like this.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
So you dishonor the word of God for the sake of the tradition which you have established; and you do a great many like these.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And you reject the word of God for the traditions that you deliver, and many things like these you do.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
making the word of God of no effect by your tradition, which you have delivered; and many things like these you do.

Godbey New Testament
making void the word of God by your tradition, which you have given: and you do many such similar things.

Haweis New Testament
abrogating the word of God by the tradition, which ye have transmitted down; and many such like things ye do.

Mace New Testament
by such traditions, and such a number of practices, as you have settled, the word of God is stript of all its authority.

Weymouth New Testament
thus nullifying God's precept by your tradition which you have handed down. And many things of that kind you do."

Worrell New Testament
making void the word of God by your tradition, which ye handed down; and many such things ye do."

Worsley New Testament
making void the word of God by your tradition,. And many such like things ye do.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Tradition and Worship
12he is no longer permitted to do anything for his father or mother. 13Thus you nullify the word of God by the tradition you have handed down. And you do so in many such matters.” 14Once again Jesus called the crowd to Him and said, “All of you, listen to Me and understand:…

Cross References
Matthew 15:6
he need not honor his father or mother with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition.

Matthew 23:16-24
Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’ / You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes it sacred? / And you say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gift on it, he is bound by his oath.’ ...

Colossians 2:8
See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ.

Galatians 1:14
I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers.

Galatians 5:4
You who are trying to be justified by the law have been severed from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.

1 Timothy 4:1-3
Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons, / influenced by the hypocrisy of liars, whose consciences are seared with a hot iron. / They will prohibit marriage and require abstinence from certain foods that God has created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.

Romans 3:31
Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Certainly not! Instead, we uphold the law.

Romans 10:3
Because they were ignorant of God’s righteousness and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.

Acts 7:51-53
You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit, just as your fathers did. / Which of the prophets did your fathers fail to persecute? They even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One. And now you are His betrayers and murderers— / you who received the law ordained by angels, yet have not kept it.”

2 Timothy 3:8
Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth. They are depraved in mind and disqualified from the faith.

Isaiah 29:13
Therefore the Lord said: “These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is but rules taught by men.

Jeremiah 8:8-9
How can you say, ‘We are wise, and the Law of the LORD is with us,’ when in fact the lying pen of the scribes has produced a deception? / The wise will be put to shame; they will be dismayed and trapped. Since they have rejected the word of the LORD, what wisdom do they really have?

Ezekiel 20:18-19
In the wilderness I said to their children: ‘Do not walk in the statutes of your fathers or keep their ordinances or defile yourselves with their idols. / I am the LORD your God; walk in My statutes, keep My ordinances, and practice them.

Deuteronomy 4:2
You must not add to or subtract from what I command you, so that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God that I am giving you.

Deuteronomy 12:32
See that you do everything I command you; do not add to it or subtract from it.


Treasury of Scripture

Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which you have delivered: and many such like things do you.

the word.

Mark 7:9
And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.

Isaiah 8:20
To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

Jeremiah 8:8,9
How do ye say, We are wise, and the law of the LORD is with us? Lo, certainly in vain made he it; the pen of the scribes is in vain…

such.

Ezekiel 18:14
Now, lo, if he beget a son, that seeth all his father's sins which he hath done, and considereth, and doeth not such like,

Galatians 5:21
Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

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Delivered Effect God's Hand Handed Kind Making Precept Rule Setting Teaching Tradition Traditional Traditions Void Word
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Delivered Effect God's Hand Handed Kind Making Precept Rule Setting Teaching Tradition Traditional Traditions Void Word
Mark 7
1. The Pharisees find fault with the disciples for eating with unwashed hands.
8. They break the commandment of God by the traditions of men.
14. Food defiles not the man.
24. He heals the Syrophenician woman's daughter of an unclean spirit;
31. and one that was deaf, and stammered in his speech.














Thus you nullify the word of God
This phrase highlights the tension between human traditions and divine commandments. The "word of God" refers to the Scriptures, which were considered the ultimate authority. The religious leaders of Jesus' time often elevated their traditions to a level that overshadowed the Scriptures. This echoes Isaiah 29:13, where God criticizes those who honor Him with their lips while their hearts are far from Him. The nullification implies a deliberate undermining of God's authority, which is a serious charge against the religious leaders.

by the tradition you have handed down.
The "tradition" refers to the oral laws and customs developed by the Pharisees and scribes, which were meant to interpret and apply the written Law of Moses. These traditions, known as the "Oral Torah," were eventually codified in the Mishnah. The phrase "handed down" suggests a generational transmission, indicating that these practices were deeply entrenched. This reflects a broader cultural context where oral tradition was a primary means of preserving and transmitting religious teachings. However, Jesus criticizes these traditions for overshadowing the true intent of God's commandments.

And you do so in many such matters.”
This indicates that the issue at hand was not isolated but part of a broader pattern of behavior. The religious leaders were consistently prioritizing their traditions over God's commands. This critique is not limited to the specific example of Corban (mentioned earlier in the chapter) but extends to various aspects of religious life. It underscores a recurring theme in Jesus' ministry: the call to return to the heart of God's law, which is love and justice, rather than mere ritual compliance. This critique aligns with other scriptural passages where Jesus challenges the Pharisees, such as Matthew 23, where He condemns their hypocrisy and legalism.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus Christ
The central figure in this passage, Jesus is addressing the Pharisees and scribes, challenging their adherence to human traditions over God's commandments.

2. Pharisees and Scribes
Religious leaders of the time who were known for their strict adherence to Jewish law and traditions. They are being criticized by Jesus for prioritizing human traditions over divine commandments.

3. Tradition of the Elders
Refers to the oral traditions and interpretations of the law that had been passed down through generations, which the Pharisees held in high regard.

4. Word of God
The divine commandments and teachings found in the Scriptures, which Jesus emphasizes should take precedence over human traditions.

5. Corban
A specific tradition mentioned earlier in Mark 7, where something is dedicated to God, thus exempting it from being used to help others, such as one's parents.
Teaching Points
The Supremacy of Scripture
Emphasize the importance of prioritizing God's Word over human traditions. Believers should evaluate their practices and beliefs to ensure they align with Scripture.

Beware of Legalism
Legalism can lead to a focus on external rituals rather than a genuine relationship with God. Christians should guard against allowing traditions to overshadow the heart of God's commandments.

Heart Over Ritual
True worship and obedience come from the heart. It's essential to examine whether our actions are motivated by love for God or merely adherence to tradition.

Tradition vs. Commandment
While traditions can be valuable, they should never contradict or nullify God's commandments. Believers must discern and uphold the authority of Scripture.

Continuous Reformation
The church and individual believers should continually reform practices to align with biblical truth, ensuring that traditions serve to enhance, not hinder, spiritual growth.(13) Making the word of God of none effect.--Again the Greek word is somewhat more technical, making null and void, cancelling, as in Galatians 3:17.

Through your tradition.--Here the structure of the sentence points to the "tradition" as being the instrument with which the Law was made null and void. In Matthew 15:6 the meaning is slightly different (see Note there).

Many such like things.--Assuming the words "washing of cups and pots," in Mark 7:8, to be genuine, there is an emphatic scorn expressed in this iteration of the same formula.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
[Thus] you nullify
ἀκυροῦντες (akyrountes)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 208: To annul, make of no effect, cancel. To invalidate.

the
τὸν (ton)
Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

word
λόγον (logon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3056: From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression.

of God
Θεοῦ (Theou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

by
τῇ (tē)
Article - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

[the]
ὑμῶν (hymōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

tradition
παραδόσει (paradosei)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3862: An instruction, tradition. From paradidomi; transmission, i.e. a precept; specially, the Jewish traditionary law.

you have handed down.
παρεδώκατε (paredōkate)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 3860: From para and didomi; to surrender, i.e yield up, intrust, transmit.

And
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

you do
ποιεῖτε (poieite)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4160: (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.

so
τοιαῦτα (toiauta)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 5108: (including the other inflections); from toi and houtos; truly this, i.e. Of this sort (to denote character or individuality).

in many
πολλὰ (polla)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 4183: Much, many; often.

such [matters].”
παρόμοια (paromoia)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3946: Like, similar. From para and homoios; alike nearly, i.e. Similar.


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NT Gospels: Mark 7:13 Making void the word of God (Mar Mk Mr)
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