In Mark 7 Jesus mentions Isaiah; “Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites,” and here is the original quote.

Isaiah 29:12-14 And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned. Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.

In the south prior to the Civil War it was illegal to educate slaves. They were allowed to know only as much as their slave owners determined to keep them enslaved. I relate this practice to the Pharisees of Jesus’ time. They took advantage of the uneducated and taught them traditions that kept worshipers enslaved to them.

Do some churches continue the practice of enslaving their members with “traditions of men”? I believe they do and the only way out is too be filled with the Holy Ghost and receive instructions directly from God himself.

The telling part is this quote from Isaiah; “their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:” Control of the masses is often accomplished by fear of loss of salvation, condemnation, and unforgiveness.

How does “the wisdom of their wise men shall perish” become your reality?

John 15:26, 16:13 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

Day 11 of the Questions for Mark study.

Mark 6:50-51 For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered.

Matthew 14:28-30 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

Reading from more learned and dedicated servants of God, John Mark is credited with writing the gospel of Mark at Peter’s instructions. John Mark was Peter’s interpreter. Given that this is the case, why did John Mark leave out this searching tale which was included in Matthew’s rendering of events?

Matthew was an eye witness to the event. John Mark would have only been told by a witness. Did Peter not tell John Mark? Was Peter ashamed of his failure due to fear? Or was it that Peter wanted Jesus to be the focus of the telling and desired not to be a distraction to this gospel?

I’ve compared the two synoptic gospels and the events leading up to this point match up very well in sequence and occurrences. There is no reason to believe that Jesus walking on the water to His disciples on the boat was not this same event. So why was the record of the event deleted by Mark?

At this point I would like to switch from Mark’s telling to my own. In reference to the telling of my witness, what should I include? What should I leave out? When is confession of condition in those moments an enhancement to my witness, and when a detractor?

It depends on the audience, does it not? Know your audience.