And when they come from the [a]market, except they wash, they eat not: and many other things there be, which they have taken upon them to observe, as the washing of cups, and [b]pots, and of brazen vessels, and of beds.)

Then asked him the Pharisees and Scribes, Why [c]walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the Elders, but eat meat with unwashen hands?

[d]Then he answered and said unto them, Surely (A)Isaiah hath prophesied well of you, hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoreth me with lips, but their heart is far away from me.

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Footnotes

  1. Mark 7:4 That is to say, from civil affairs and worldly, they go not to meat, unless they wash themselves first.
  2. Mark 7:4 By these words are understood all kinds of vessels, which are appointed for our daily use.
  3. Mark 7:5 Why live they not? a kind of speech taken from the Hebrews: for amongst them, the way is taken for trade of life.
  4. Mark 7:6 Hypocrisy is always joined with superstition.

When they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and kettles.[a])(A)

So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, “Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders(B) instead of eating their food with defiled hands?”

He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written:

“‘These people honor me with their lips,
    but their hearts are far from me.

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Footnotes

  1. Mark 7:4 Some early manuscripts pitchers, kettles and dining couches