Mark 7:2-4

Listen to Mark 7:2-4
2 they saw that some of his disciples ate with hands that were 1defiled, that is, unwashed.
3 (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands properly, [a] holding to 2the tradition of 3the elders,
4 and when they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. [b] And there are many other traditions that they observe, such as 4the washing of 5cups and pots and copper vessels and dining couches. [c])

Cross References 5

  • 1. 7:2 [Acts 10:14; Rom. 14:14 (Gk.)]
  • 2. 7:3 Gal. 1:14; Col. 2:8
  • 3. 7:3 Heb. 11:2
  • 4. 7:4 Heb. 9:10; [John 2:6]
  • 5. 7:4 Matt. 23:25; Luke 11:39

Footnotes 3

  • [a] 7:3 Greek 'unless they wash the hands with a fist', probably indicating a kind of ceremonial washing
  • [b] 7:4 Greek 'unless they baptize'; some manuscripts 'unless they purify themselves'
  • [c] 7:4 Some manuscripts omit 'and dining couches'
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2025