Mark 7:1

1 One day some Pharisees and teachers of religious law arrived from Jerusalem to see Jesus.

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 One day some Pharisees and teachers of religious law arrived from Jerusalem to see Jesus.

2 They noticed that some of his disciples failed to follow the Jewish ritual of hand washing before eating.

3 (The Jews, especially the Pharisees, do not eat until they have poured water over their cupped hands, as required by their ancient traditions.

4 Similarly, they don’t eat anything from the market until they immerse their hands in water. This is but one of many traditions they have clung to—such as their ceremonial washing of cups, pitchers, and kettles. )

5 So the Pharisees and teachers of religious law asked him, “Why don’t your disciples follow our age-old tradition? They eat without first performing the hand-washing ceremony.”