Mark 7:1-9

1 Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem.

2 And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say , with unwashen, hands, they found fault .

3 For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.

4 And when they come from the market, except they wash , they eat not. And many other things there be , which they have received to hold , as the washing of cups, and pots *, brasen vessels, and of tables.

5 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?

6 He answered and said unto them *, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written , This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.

7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do .

9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.

Footnotes

• [a]. defiled: or, common
• [b]. oft: or, diligently: in the original, with the fist: Theophylact, up to the elbow
• [c]. pots: sextarius is about a pint and an half
• [d]. reject: or, frustrate