Mark 7:1

What Makes People "Unclean"?

1 The Pharisees gathered around Jesus. So did some of the teachers of the law. All of them had come from Jerusalem.

Mark 7:1 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 7:1

Then came together unto him the Pharisees
Having heard of his miracles, and that he was come into the land of Gennesaret; they consulted with one another, and came together to Jesus, to watch and observe what was said and done by him, and take what advantage they could against him. These were not of that country, but were of Jerusalem, as were their companions the Scribes:

and certain of the Scribes, which were of Jerusalem;
for the fame of Christ had reached the metropolis of the nation; and these men being the more artful and cunning of the whole sect, either came of themselves, or were sent by the sanhedrim, to make their observations upon his doctrine and conduct; (See Gill on Matthew 15:1).

Mark 7:1 In-Context

1 The Pharisees gathered around Jesus. So did some of the teachers of the law. All of them had come from Jerusalem.

2 They saw some of his disciples eating food with "unclean" hands. That means they were not washed.

3 The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands to make them pure. That's what the elders teach.

4 When they come from the market place, they do not eat unless they wash. And they follow many other teachings. For example, they wash cups, pitchers, and kettles in a special way.

5 So the Pharisees and the teachers of the law questioned Jesus. "Why don't your disciples live by what the elders teach?" they asked. "Why do they eat their food with 'unclean' hands?"