Mark 7:1-9

Followers of Tradition

¹The Pharisees and some of the scribes *gathered to Him after they came from Jerusalem, ²and saw that some of His disciples were eating their bread with unholy hands, that is, unwashed. ³(For the Pharisees and all the other Jews do not eat unless they carefully wash their hands, thereby holding firmly to the tradition of the elders; ⁴and when they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they completely cleanse themselves; and there are many other things which they have received as traditions to firmly hold, such as the washing of cups, pitchers, and copper pots.) ⁵And the Pharisees and the scribes *asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk in accordance with the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with unholy hands?” ⁶But He said to them, “Rightly did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written:

‘This people honors Me with their lips,

But their heart is far away from Me.

7‘And in vain do they worship Me,

Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’

⁸Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.”

⁹He was also saying to them, “You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition.

The Heart of Mankind

The Syrophoenician Woman