Mark 7:1

Human Traditions and God’s Commandments

1 And the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered to 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 And the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered to him.

2 And they saw that some of his disciples were eating their bread with unclean--that is, unwashed--hands.

3 (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands {ritually}, [thus] holding fast to the traditions of the elders.

4 And [when they come] from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other [traditions] which they have received [and] hold fast to--[for example,] the washing of cups and pitchers and bronze kettles and dining couches.)

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