Mark 7:4-13

4 When they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and kettles.^[a] )

5 So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, “Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with defiled hands?”

6 He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: “ ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.

7 They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’^[b]

8 You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.”

9 And he continued, “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe^[c] your own traditions!

10 For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and mother,’^[d] and, ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’^[e]

11 But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is Corban (that is, devoted to God)—

12 then you no longer let them do anything for their father or mother.

13 Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.”

Cross References

• 1. Matthew 23:25; Luke 11:39
• 2. S ver 3; Galatians 1:14; Colossians 2:8
• 3. Isaiah 29:13
• 4. S ver 3
• 5. S ver 3
• 6. Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16
• 7. Exodus 21:17; Leviticus 20:9
• 8. Matthew 23:16,18
• 9. S Hebrews 4:12
• 10. S ver 3

Footnotes

• [a] Some early manuscripts "pitchers, kettles and dining couches"
• [b] Isaiah 29:13
• [c] Some manuscripts "set up"
• [d] Exodus 20:12; Deut. 5:16
• [e] Exodus 21:17; Lev. 20:9