Unwashen Hands
Mark 7:1-16
Then came together to him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem.


It was laid down that the hands were first to be washed clean. The tips of the ten fingers were then joined and lifted up, so that the water ran down to the elbows, then turned down, so that it might run off to the ground. Fresh water was poured on them as they were lifted up and twice again as they hung down. The washing itself was to be done by rubbing the fist of one hand in the hollow of the other. When the hands were washed before eating, they must be held upwards, when after it downwards, but so that the water should not run beyond the knuckles. The vessel used must be held first in the right, then in the left hand; the water was to be poured first on the right, then on the left hand; and at every third time the words repeated, "Blessed art thou who bast given us the command to wash the hands." It was keenly disputed whether the cup of blessing or the handwashing should come first; whether the towel used should be laid on the table or on the couch; and whether the table was to be cleared before the final washing or after it.

(Geikie's Life of Christ.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem.

WEB: Then the Pharisees, and some of the scribes gathered together to him, having come from Jerusalem.




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