For vv. 1-23, see notes in Matt. 15:1-20.

Some MSS read, seeing...unwashed, they found fault.

Lit., with the fist.

I.e., ancients, people of the previous generations.

Lit., baptize. Some MSS have, sprinkle.

Some MSS add, and couches.

See note Mark 2:6¹.

See note Matt. 6:2^2b.

Revere. The feeling of awe or devotion is stressed.

Some MSS add, the dipping of pitchers and cups and many other such similar things you do.

The result of the keeping of tradition is the setting aside of the commandment of God. Furthermore, tradition causes people to set aside the commandment of God "nicely"!

Lit., let him decease by death. See note Matt. 15:4³.

For the Hebrew word qorban, meaning an offering. Signifying anything offered to God.

Make him common, unclean (Acts 11:8). So in the succeeding verses.

Some MSS omit this verse.

Or, guile.

Lit., a wicked eye. A Semitic expression referring to the eye that intends to do evil and, by extension, to hostility, jealousy, or envy.

The wicked things that proceed from within are the evil issues of man's fallen and sinful nature (v. 21; Rom. 7:18).

For vv. 24-30, see notes in Matt. 15:21-28.

Some MSS omit, and Sidon.

The Lord never wanted publicity for Himself.

Syrian by tongue, Phoenician by race (cf. Acts 21:2-3). Since the Phoenicians were descendants of the Canaanites, she was a Canaanite woman (Matt. 15:22). What made her a Greek — religion, marriage, or some other factor — is difficult to determine.

Pet dogs, house dogs.

See note Mark 1:23¹.

See note Matt. 15:29¹.

A district of ten cities.

Signifying one who is spiritually deaf and dumb, unable to hear the voice of God and to praise Him (Isa. 35:6) and speak for Him (Isa. 56:10). The dumbness of such a person is due to his deafness. The Slave-Savior's healing salvation is well able to heal the deafness and dumbness of such a one, first by dealing with his ears and then by touching his tongue.

Or, thrust. The Slave-Savior's thrusting of His fingers into the deaf one's ears signifies His dealing with his hearing organ (cf. Isa. 50:4-5; Job 33:14-16), and His touching of his tongue with His spittle signifies His anointing of the dumb one's speaking organ with the word that proceeds out of His mouth. This was a healing (see note Mark 1:31¹).

Aramaic.

See note Mark 1:44¹.