Mark 7:1-9 ▼

1 The Pharisees, and certain Scribes from Jerusalem, came in a body to Jesus;

2 when observing that some of his disciples were eating with profane hands, that is, without having wash'd them, they found fault.

3 for the Pharisees, and the Jews in general, in pursuance of their antient traditions, never eat till they have wash'd their hands up to their elbows.

4 nay, when they have been at any publick place, they never eat till they have washed, they observe besides several traditions, such as the washing of cups, pots, brass vessels, and beds.

5 the Pharisees, and Scribes therefore ask'd Jesus, why don't your disciples observe the tradition of the antients? why do they take their meals without washing their hands?

6 Jesus answered, to such hypocrites as you may well be applied those words of the prophet Esaias, "this people honour me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.

7 in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the institutions of men."

8 for laying aside what is of divine appointment, you stick to their human traditions, about the washing of pots, and cups, and many other the like practices.

9 You are in the right, said he, to abolish the laws of God, to make way for such traditions.