Mark 7:1-8

The Traditions of the Elders

1 The Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Him.

2 They observed that some of His disciples were eating their bread with unclean-that is, unwashed-hands.

3 (For the Pharisees, in fact all the Jews, will not eat unless they wash their hands ritually, keeping the tradition of the elders.

4 When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they have washed. And there are many other customs they have received and keep, like the washing of cups, jugs, copper utensils, and dining couches.^[a])

5 Then the Pharisees and the scribes asked Him, "Why don't Your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders, instead of eating bread with ritually unclean^[b] hands?"

6 He answered them, "Isaiah prophesied correctly about you hypocrites, as it is written: These people honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.

7 They worship Me in vain, teaching as doctrines the commands of men. ^[c]

8 Disregarding the command of God, you keep the tradition of men." ^[d]

Footnotes

• [a]. Other mss omit and dining couches
• [b]. Other mss read with unwashed
• [c]. Isaiah 29:13
• [d]. Other mss add The washing of jugs, and cups, and many other similar things you practice.