Norwegian 2018 (Bibelen - Guds Ord Hverdagsbibelen (Hermon Forlag))
Da de senere var kommet innendørs, bort fra folkemengden, spurte disiplene om Han kunne forklare det Han hadde sagt, for dem. Han sa: «Forstår ikke dereheller dette? Skjønner dere ikke at ingentingav det som kommer inn i et menneske utenfra, kan gjøre ham uren? For det et menneske spiser, kommer ikke inn i hjertet hans, men det går ned i magen og blir borte. Slik er all mat i seg selv ikke uren, men den gjør nytte for seg. Men det som kommer ut av et menneskes hjerte, det er det som gjør mennesket urent. For fra hjertet kommer onde tanker. Enhver ond handling starter nemlig i tankene. Det gjelder alle former for ondskap, drap, skilsmisse, sex utenfor ekteskapet, tyveri, egoisme og grådighet, misunnelse, arroganse og undertrykkelse, selvgodhet og dumhet. All denne ondskapen kommer fra menneskets indre og gjør mennesket urent.»
What Does This Mean?
In this verse from Mark's Gospel, Jesus has just finished teaching a parable to the crowd and then enters a house where his disciples ask him to explain the meaning of the parable he just taught. This shows that even those closest to Jesus needed help understanding his teachings.
Explained for Children
Imagine you're at school and your teacher tells everyone a riddle. When class is over, your friends go up to the teacher and say, 'Can you tell us what that riddle means?' That's just like what happened here: after Jesus told a story that was hard to understand, his disciples asked him for an explanation.
Historical Background
The verse comes from the Gospel of Mark, written around AD 65-70. The audience was likely early Christians in Rome who needed guidance on interpreting Jesus' teachings. In Jewish culture, rabbis often used parables to teach spiritual truths that required deeper understanding.
Living It Out Today
Today, if you're studying a complex passage of the Bible and find it confusing, don't hesitate to seek help from someone more knowledgeable. Just like Jesus’ disciples asked for clarification, we can do the same with teachers or mentors in our churches.
Why did Jesus' disciples need help understanding the parable?
The disciples needed help because parables often contain layers of meaning that aren't immediately clear. Seeking clarification shows their commitment to understanding and applying Jesus’ teachings.
What does Mark 7:17 teach us about seeking knowledge in our faith?
It teaches that it's okay—and even encouraged—to ask questions when we don’t understand something spiritual or theological. Seeking deeper knowledge is a sign of genuine interest and commitment to one’s faith.
How can we apply the lesson from Mark 7:17 in our daily lives?
In our daily lives, we should be open to asking questions when faced with challenges or difficult situations. Seeking guidance and advice shows humility and a willingness to learn, which is an important aspect of spiritual growth.
What does Mark 7:17 tell us about the relationship between Jesus and his disciples?
Mark 7:17 highlights that even those closest to Jesus had questions. This shows a dynamic relationship where there was open communication, trust, and mutual learning.