Mark 7:1-8

Amplified Bible, Classic Edition

7 Now there gathered together to [Jesus] the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem,

² For they had seen that some of His disciples ate with ^[a]common hands, that is, unwashed [with hands defiled and unhallowed, because they had not given them a ^[b]ceremonial washing]—

³ For the Pharisees and all of the Jews do not eat unless [merely for ceremonial reasons] they wash their hands [diligently ^[c]up to the elbow] with clenched fist, adhering [carefully and faithfully] to the tradition of [practices and customs handed down to them by] their forefathers [to be observed].

⁴ And [when they come] from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they purify themselves; and there are many other traditions [oral, man-made laws handed down to them, which they observe faithfully and diligently, such as], the washing of cups and wooden pitchers and widemouthed jugs and utensils of copper and ^[d]beds—

⁵ And the Pharisees and scribes kept asking [Jesus], Why do Your disciples not order their way of living according to the tradition handed down by the forefathers [to be observed], but eat with hands unwashed and ceremonially not purified?

⁶ But He said to them, Excellently and truly [^[e]so that there will be no room for blame] did Isaiah prophesy of you, the pretenders and hypocrites, as it stands written: These people [constantly] honor Me with their lips, but their hearts hold off and are far distant from Me.

⁷ In vain (fruitlessly and without profit) do they worship Me, ordering and teaching [to be obeyed] as doctrines the commandments and precepts of men.^(A)

⁸ You disregard and give up and ask to depart from you the commandment of God and cling to the tradition of men [keeping it carefully and faithfully].