Pharisees and Scribes from Jerusalem - Mark 7:1

Mark wrote when Jesus and His disciples, “were come out of the ship, straightway they knew him, And ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was. And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole”, and in chapter seven and verse one of his book, Mark wrote how the Pharisees and some of the scribes, “came from Jerusalem” where we read:

Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem.

The verse reads, “Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, ...” Mark began with the words, “then came together” which means “at that time and moment gathered, assembled and collected” “unto him” which means “to Jesus” “the Pharisees” or “the sect that seems to have started after the Jewish exile. In addition to Old Testament books the Pharisees recognized in oral tradition a standard of belief and life”, “and certain” which refers to “particular ones” “of the scribes” which means “belonging to the men learned in the Mosaic law and in the sacred writings, interpreters and teachers”. Mark shared how the religious groups known as the “Pharisees and scribes” approached Jesus again.

The verse continues, “... which came from Jerusalem.” Mark added the words, “which came” which means “who arose and came forth” “from Jerusalem” or “from the city of Jerusalem which means set you double peace and is the capital of Palestine”. Mark shared how the “Pharisees and scribes” came forth from the city of “Jerusalem”.

When we meditate upon Mark's words in this verse, we see how the “religious leaders” were assembled to “address” Jesus again. These leaders came from Jerusalem, and they purposed to question Jesus and His ministry among people. God knows there are always nay-sayers and critics to the “salvation plan” He provides through His Son Jesus. Though they are wrong, God allows them to express their opinions and “rules of conduct”. God's purpose for sending Jesus was to have Him “die” for the “sins” of the world, and He wants people to receive His Son Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord” so they might live with Him eternally. Those who are willing to submit themselves to Him shall be “saved”, and those who do not shall be separated from Him forever and ever.

Next time Mark shares how the Pharisees, “the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders” again, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".