The Tradition of the Elders

(Matthew 15:1–9)

Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around [Jesus]. 2 And seeing some of His disciples eating [with] hands [that were] defiled( that is, unwashed), they found fault.[fn]

3 

Now in holding to the tradition of the elders, the Pharisees and all the Jews {do} not eat until they wash [their] hands ceremonially.[fn] 4 And [on returning] from the market, vvv they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other traditions for them to observe, [including] the washing of cups, pitchers, kettles, and couches for dining.[fn]

5 

So the Pharisees and scribes questioned [Jesus]:“Why {do} Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders? Instead, they eat with unwashed[fn] hands.”

6 

Jesus answered them,“Isaiah prophesied correctly about you hypocrites, as it is written:

‘These people honor Me with [their] lips,

but their hearts are far from Me.

7 

They worship Me in vain;

they teach [as] doctrine [the] precepts of men.’[fn]

8 

You have disregarded the commandment of God to keep the tradition of men— the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other similar things you do.[fn]”

9 

vvv He went on to say“vvv You neatly set aside the command of God to maintain[fn] your [own] tradition. 10 For Moses said,‘Honor your father and your mother’[fn] and‘Anyone who curses [his] father or mother vvv must be put to death.’[fn] 11 But you say that if a man says to [his] father or mother,‘Whatever you would have received from me [is] Corban’ (that is, a gift devoted [to God] ), 12 he [is] no longer permitted to do anything for his father or mother. 13 [Thus] you nullify the word of God by [the] tradition you have handed down. And you do so in many such [matters].”

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