Matthew 15:1-9

New International Version - UK

That which defiles

15 Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked, ² ‘Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat!’

³ Jesus replied, ‘And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? ⁴ For God said, “Honour your father and mother”^[a] and “Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.”^{[b] 5} But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is “devoted to God,” ⁶ they are not to “honour their father or mother” with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. ⁷ You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: