Mark 7:1-9 ▼

1 Now the Pharisees and some of the experts in the law who came from Jerusalem gathered around him.

2 And they saw that some of Jesus' disciples ate their bread with unclean hands, that is, unwashed.

3 (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they perform a ritual washing, holding fast to the tradition of the elders.

4 And when they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. They hold fast to many other traditions: the washing of cups, pots, kettles, and dining couches.)

5 The Pharisees and the experts in the law asked him, |Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with unwashed hands?|

6 He said to them, |Isaiah prophesied correctly about you hypocrites, as it is written: 'This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.

7 They worship me in vain, teaching as doctrine the commandments of men.'

8 Having no regard for the command of God, you hold fast to human tradition.|

9 He also said to them, |You neatly reject the commandment of God in order to set up your tradition.