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Mark 7:3

1 Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus,

2 and they saw some of His disciples eating with hands that were defiled—that is, unwashed.

Now in holding to the tradition of the elders, the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat until they wash their hands ceremonially.

4 And on returning from the market, 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.

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 defiled hands.”

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Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Now in holding to the tradition of the elders, the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat until they wash their hands ceremonially.
KJV
For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.
WEB
(For the Pharisees and all the Jews don’t eat unless they wash their hands and forearms, holding to the tradition of the elders.
ASV
(For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands diligently, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders;
DARBY
(for the Pharisees and all the Jews, unless they wash their hands diligently, do not eat, holding what has been delivered by the ancients;
BLB
(For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash the hands to the fist, holding to the tradition of the elders;
ÅB
fariseerne og alle jøder spiser ikke uten at de først omhyggelig har vasket hendene, for de holder fast ved de gamles vedtekt,
OTB
(For fariseerne og alle jødene spiser ikke uten at de utfører en seremoniell håndvask, i henhold til de gamles tradisjon;
B1930
fariseerne og alle jøder eter ikke uten at de først omhyggelig har vasket hendene, for de holder fast ved de gamles vedtekt,

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Galatians 1:14

    I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers.

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  • Mark 7:13

    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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  • Colossians 2:8

    See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ.

    Read in context

  • Colossians 2:21–23

    “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!”?

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  • Mark 7:7–10

    They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’

    Read in context

  • 1 Peter 1:18

    For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers,

    Read in context

  • Matthew 15:2–6

    “Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They do not wash their hands before they eat.”

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  • Mark 7:5

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

    Read in context