Jesus Challenges the Tradition of the Elders^(A)

15 Then some Pharisees and scribes came from Jerusalem to Jesus and asked, ² “Why do your disciples disregard the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands when they eat.”^[a]

³ But he answered them, “Why do you also disregard the commandment of God because of your tradition? ⁴ Because God said,^[b] ‘You are to honor your father and your mother,’^[c] and, ‘Whoever curses father or mother must certainly be put to death.’^{[d] 5} But you say, ‘Whoever tells his father or his mother, “Whatever support you might have received from me has been given to God,”^{[e] 6} does not have to honor his father.’^[f] Because of your tradition, then, you have disregarded^[g] the authority of God’s word.^{[h] 7} You hypocrites! How well did Isaiah prophesy of you when he said,