Followers of Tradition

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

(H)This people honors Me with their lips,
But their heart is far away from Me.
(I)And in vain do they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’

Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the (J)tradition of men.”

He was also saying to them, “You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your (K)tradition. 10 For Moses said, ‘(L)Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘(M)The one who speaks evil of father or mother, is [f]certainly to be put to death’; 11 but you say, ‘If a person says to his father or his mother, whatever I have that would help you is (N)Corban (that is, [g]given to God),’ 12 you no longer allow him to do anything for his father or his mother; 13 thereby invalidating the word of God by your (O)tradition which you have handed down; and you do many things such as that.”

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Footnotes

  1. Mark 7:2 Lit common; i.e., ritually unclean
  2. Mark 7:3 Lit with a fist (following a prescribed ritual)
  3. Mark 7:4 Lit baptize; i.e., immerse; two early mss purify
  4. Mark 7:4 Lit baptisms
  5. Mark 7:5 Lit common; i.e., ritually unclean
  6. Mark 7:10 Lit to die with death
  7. Mark 7:11 Lit a gift; i.e., an offering

And there are gathered together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, who had come from Jerusalem, and had seen that some of his disciples ate their bread with [a]defiled, that is, unwashen, hands. (For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands [b]diligently, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders; and when they come from the marketplace, except they [c]bathe themselves, they eat not; and many other things there are, which they have received to hold, [d]washings of cups, and pots, and brasen vessels[e].) And the Pharisees and the scribes ask him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with [f]defiled hands? And he said unto them, Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written,

[g]This people honoreth me with their lips,
But their heart is far from me.
But in vain do they worship me,
Teaching as their doctrines the precepts of men.

Ye leave the commandment of God, and hold fast the tradition of men. And he said unto them, Full well do ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your tradition. 10 For Moses said, [h]Honor thy father and thy mother; and, He that speaketh evil of father or mother, let him [i]die the death: 11 but ye say, If a man shall say to his father or his mother, That wherewith thou mightest have been profited by me is Corban, that is to say, Given to God; 12 ye no longer suffer him to do aught for his father or his mother; 13 making void the word of God by your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things ye do.

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Footnotes

  1. Mark 7:2 Or, common
  2. Mark 7:3 Or, up to the elbow. Greek with the fist.
  3. Mark 7:4 Greek baptize. Some ancient authorities read sprinkle themselves.
  4. Mark 7:4 Greek baptizings.
  5. Mark 7:4 Many ancient authorities add and couches.
  6. Mark 7:5 Or, common
  7. Mark 7:6 Isa. 29:13.
  8. Mark 7:10 Ex. 20:12; Dt. 5:16; Ex. 21:17; Lev. 20:9.
  9. Mark 7:10 Or, surely die