This page gives you ready-to-use Bible study questions for Mark 7, with leader’s notes for each one. It is built for a small group, a Sunday class, or personal reflection. The chapter moves from a dispute about hand washing, to Jesus’ teaching on what truly defiles a person, to two healings that reach beyond Israel’s borders, and ends with a crowd amazed at what he has done.
Mark 7 at a Glance
The chapter opens with Pharisees and scribes from Jerusalem criticizing the disciples for eating with unwashed hands. Jesus answers by pointing to the difference between human tradition and God’s commandment, and he then explains that defilement comes from the heart rather than from outside foods or ritual washings. The second half shifts to a Gentile woman who asks for healing for her daughter, and then to a deaf man with a speech impediment who is healed in a private, physical way. The chapter closes with the people’s astonishment.
A leader can move through the questions in order, since each set builds on the one before. The observation questions keep the group close to the text, the interpretation questions open up its meaning, and the application questions help people carry it into daily life.
Observation Questions
Use this set first to make sure everyone has the basic facts of the passage in view before discussing meaning. Let people answer from the text itself, and point back to specific verses when someone offers an opinion.
Mark 7:6-7
6 He answered them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. 7 But they worship me in vain, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’
(WEB)
Reading Jesus’ words about the people who honor God with their lips but not their hearts sets the tone for the whole chapter. It gives the group a clear framework for the debate that follows. Ask someone to read it aloud before the first question is discussed.
Mark 7:8-9
8 “For you set aside the commandment of God, and hold tightly to the tradition of men—the washing of pitchers and cups, and you do many other such things.” 9 He said to them, “Full well do you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.
(WEB)
These verses name the danger of setting aside God’s commandment in favor of human tradition. Reading them together helps the group see the connection between the handwashing dispute and the Corban example. They prepare the group to think about how religious customs can become obstacles.
Mark 7:21-23
21 For from within, out of the hearts of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, sexual sins, murders, thefts, 22 covetings, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, and foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.”
(WEB)
This list is the heart of Jesus’ teaching on defilement, and reading it aloud lets the group hear its full weight. The words are direct and may prompt honest reflection. Give people a moment to absorb it before any discussion begins.
Mark 7:27-29
27 But Jesus said to her, “Let the children be filled first, for it is not appropriate to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” 28 But she answered him, “Yes, Lord. Yet even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” 29 He said to her, “For this saying, go your way. The demon has gone out of your daughter.”
(WEB)
This exchange with the Syrophoenician woman is one of the most memorable in the Gospels. Reading it aloud allows the group to hear the back-and-forth and notice the tone of both speakers. It sets up the questions about her faith and persistence.
Mark 7:33-35
33 He took him aside from the multitude, privately, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat, and touched his tongue. 34 Looking up to heaven, he sighed, and said to him, “Ephphatha!” that is, “Be opened!” 35 Immediately his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was released, and he spoke clearly.
(WEB)
Reading the account of the deaf man’s healing brings out its physical and personal details. The group can hear the sequence of Jesus’ actions and the single spoken word that opens the man’s ears. It makes a strong closing passage before the final questions.
Memory Verse for Mark 7
Mark 7:37
They were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He makes even the deaf hear, and the mute speak!”
(WEB)
This verse captures the crowd’s amazement at all Jesus has done, and it ends the chapter on a note of praise. It is short enough to memorize and gives a simple reminder of who Jesus is. Encourage the group to repeat it together before they close.
A Closing Prayer for the Group
Father, we come to you with honest hearts, knowing that what defiles us begins within. Thank you that you look past outward appearances and care about the thoughts and desires we keep hidden. Forgive us where we have kept our traditions in place of your word, and where we have held tightly to customs that made it harder to love. Teach us to bring our pride, our deceit, and our hidden desires into the light before you. Give us the persistent trust of the woman who would not give up, and the patient attention Jesus gave the man who could not hear. Open our ears and our hearts, we pray, so that we may hear your word and live it. Amen.
