Matthew 15:1-9 ▼

1 Then the Scribes and Pharisees, who were of Jerusalem, came to him and said,

2 why do your disciples violate the tradition of our ancestors, in not washing their hands when they eat bread?

3 but he answered them, why do you violate the law of God to follow your tradition?

4 for this is a commandment of God, "honour thy father and mother; and, he that curses father or mother, let him be punish'd with death."

5 but your doctrine is this, if any man declares to his father or mother, that whatever he has to give for their relief is dedicated to the temple; he is not oblig'd to regard his father or his mother.

6 thus have ye disannull'd the commandment of God by your tradition.

7 the prophecy of Esaias exactly suits such hypocrites as you;

8 "this people, says he, draw nigh to me, they honour me with their lips: while their hearts are far from me.

9 but in vain they worship me, teaching for doctrines the institutions of men."