⁶ Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing,^(A) each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.^[a]

²⁵ An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing.^(A)

¹⁰ They are only a matter of food^(A) and drink^(B) and various ceremonial washings^(C)—external regulations^(D) applying until the time of the new order.

²⁶ to make her holy,^(A) cleansing^[a] her by the washing^(B) with water through the word,

² and saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were defiled,^(A) that is, unwashed. ³ (The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders.^{(B) 4} When they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and kettles.^[a])^(C)

⁵ So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, “Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders^(D) instead of eating their food with defiled hands?”