Mark 7
The tradition of the elders
Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem. And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault. For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables. Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands? He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death: But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free. And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother; Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.
Pharisees and scribes from Jerusalem criticise Jesus' disciples for eating without ritually washing their hands. Jesus calls them hypocrites and accuses them of setting aside God's commandments, such as honouring parents, in favour of human tradition.
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Scripture connection · Quotation
Mark 7:6–7 quotes Isaiah 29:13
Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:
Isaiah 29:13 · KJV Isaiah criticised worship that was only outward. Jesus uses it against traditions that override God's commands.
What does this mean?
'Defiled' or 'unwashen' hands means hands not ritually washed — a matter of religious purity, not hygiene. 'The tradition of the elders' was the body of interpretations and practices handed down by word of mouth alongside the written law. 'Corban' is a Hebrew word for an offering dedicated to God. 'Esaias' (KJV) is Isaiah.
Historical context
Mark explains Jewish customs for readers unfamiliar with them, suggesting an audience that included non-Jews. Despite Mark's 'all the Jews', scholars debate how widely such washing was practised beyond the Pharisees. Declaring property 'Corban' dedicated it to God; Jesus objects to such a vow being used to deny support to one's parents. Later Jewish teachers also discussed releasing people from vows of this kind.
Why does it matter?
This dispute leads into Jesus' teaching about what truly makes a person unclean (7:14–23). Questions of purity then frame his journey into Gentile territory (7:24–37).
Editorial notes, not scripture.