Mark 7:1

1 Now when the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around him,

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 Now when the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around him,

2 they noticed that some of his disciples were eating with defiled hands, that is, without washing them.

3 (For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat unless they thoroughly wash their hands, thus observing the tradition of the elders;

4 and they do not eat anything from the market unless they wash it; and there are also many other traditions that they observe, the washing of cups, pots, and bronze kettles. )

5 So the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, "Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?"