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MARK VII-THE PHARISEES REBUKED

and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered.

52 For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened.

53 And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret, and drew to the shore.

54 And when they were come out of the ship, straightway they knew him,1

55 And ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was. 56 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.

Chapter 7

1 The Pharisees find fault at the disciples for eating with unwashen hands. 8 They break the commandment of God by the traditions of men. 14 Meat defileth not the man. 24 He healeth the Syrophenician woman's daughter of an unclean spirit, 31 and one that was deaf, and stammered in his speech.

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

2 And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault.

3 For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.

4 And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables.

5 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?

6 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me."

7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.

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

10 For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death:

11 But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is

The Revised Version reads "straightway the people knew him." Isaiah 29, 13.

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The Woman of Samaria

BY HENRY HOFMANN, THE MODERN GERMAN BIBLICAL

MASTER.
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"Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life."-John, 4, 13 and 14.

F

ACING homeward toward Nazareth once more,

Jesus passed through Samaria, the land of the Samaritans, the people anciently brought into Palestine as colonists by the Assyrians. The Samaritans were despised by the Jews, who would seldom even converse with them. But the love of Christ extended equally to every human soul without regard to race or to sex. It was through a woman that He summoned the Samaritans to hear him, a woman of low rank and evil life.

He had journeyed northward as far as the celebrated Well of Jacob, so often referred to in the Old Testament story. Beside this well Jesus rested in quiet meditation while his followers went to secure food in the neighboring Samaritan town of Sychar. A woman of the town came to draw water; and Jesus spake to her, asking a drink. Her answer was one of surprise that He, a Jew, should speak to her at all. Then Jesus told her of that "living water" which He came to give to all, so none should ever thirst again. He showed also such knowledge of the woman's secret life and sins, that she cried in amaze that He was a prophet, and begged Him to reveal to her the deep truths of existence.

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