Mark 7:1-9 ▼

1 Then the Pharisees, with certain Scribes who had come from Jerusalem, came to Him in a body.

2 They had noticed that some of His disciples were eating their food with 'unclean' (that is to say, unwashed)

3

4 and when they come from market they will not eat without bathing first; and they have a good many other customs which they have received traditionally and cling to, such as the rinsing of cups and pots and of bronze utensils, and the washing of beds.)

5 So the Pharisees and Scribes put the question to Him: "Why do your disciples transgress the traditions of the Elders, and eat their food with unclean hands?"

6 "Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites," He replied; "as it is written, "'This People honour Me with their lips, while their hearts are far away from Me:

7 But idle is their devotion while they lay down precepts which are mere human rules.'

8 "You neglect God's Commandment: you hold fast to men's traditions."

9 "Praiseworthy indeed!" He added, "to set at nought God's Commandment in order to observe your own traditions!