Mark 7:1-8 ▼

1 And the Pharisees and some of the scribes, arriving from Jerusalem, gathered together before him.

2 And when they had seen certain ones from his disciples eating bread with common hands, that is, with unwashed hands, they disparaged them.

3 For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat without repeatedly washing their hands, holding to the tradition of the elders.

4 And when returning from the market, unless they wash, they do not eat. And there are many other things which have been handed down to them to observe: the washings of cups, and pitchers, and bronze containers, and beds.

5 And so the Pharisees and the scribes questioned him: “Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but they eat bread with common hands?”

6 But in response, he said to them: “So well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, just as it has been written: ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.

7 And in vain do they worship me, teaching the doctrines and precepts of men.’

8 For abandoning the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men, to the washing of pitchers and cups. And you do many other things similar to these.”