The Tradition of the Elders

15 Then^(A) Jesus was approached by Pharisees and scribes from Jerusalem, who asked,^{(B) 2} “Why do your disciples^(C) break the tradition of the elders? For they don’t wash their hands when they eat.”^[a](D)

³ He answered them, “Why do you break God’s commandment because of your tradition? ⁴ For God said:^[b] Honor your father and your mother;^[c](E) and, Whoever speaks evil of father or mother must be put to death.^{[d](F) 5} But you say, ‘Whoever tells his father or mother, “Whatever benefit you might have received from me is a gift committed to the temple,” ⁶ he does not have to honor his father.’^[e] In this way, you have nullified the word of God^[f] because of your tradition. ⁷ Hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied correctly about you when he said:

Interpreting the Time

⁵⁴ He also said to the crowds,^(A) “When you see a cloud rising in the west, right away you say, ‘A storm is coming,’ and so it does.^{(B) 55} And when the south wind is blowing, you say, ‘It’s going to be hot,’ and it is. ⁵⁶ Hypocrites!^(C) You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky, but why don’t you know how to interpret this present time?^(D)

Settling Accounts

⁵⁷ “Why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right?^{(E) 58} As you are going with your adversary^(F) to the ruler, make an effort to settle with him on the way. Then he won’t drag you before the judge,^(G) the judge hand you over to the bailiff, and the bailiff throw you into prison.^{(H) 59} I tell you, you will never get out of there until you have paid the last penny.”^[a](I)