Mark 7:4

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

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.

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.”

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.

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
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.
KJV
And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables.
WEB
They don’t eat when they come from the marketplace unless they bathe themselves, and there are many other things which they have received to hold to: washings of cups, pitchers, bronze vessels, and couches.)
ASV
and [when they come] from the market-place, except they bathe themselves, they eat not; and many other things there are, which they have received to hold, washings of cups, and pots, and brasen vessels.)
DARBY
and [on coming] from the market-place, unless they are washed, they do not eat; and there are many other things which they have received to hold, the washing of cups and vessels, and brazen utensils, and couches),
BLB
and [coming] from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they immerse; and there are many other things that they received to hold to—immersions of cups and pitchers and bronze vessels and couches.)
ÅB
og når de kommer fra torvet, spiser de ikke før de har vasket seg, og det er meget annet som de har vedtatt å holde: vaskninger av beger og krus og kobberkar og benker.
OTB
og når de kommer fra markedet, spiser de ikke uten at de vasker seg. De overholder også mange andre tradisjoner, som vask av kopper, kanner og kobberkar.)
B1930
og når de kommer fra torvet, eter de ikke før de har vasket sig, og det er meget annet som de har vedtatt å holde: vaskninger av beger og krus og kobberkar og benker.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Matthew 23:25

    Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.

    Read in context
  • Luke 11:38–39

    But the Pharisee was surprised to see that Jesus did not first wash before the meal.

    Read in context
  • Hebrews 9:10

    They consist only in food and drink and special washings—external regulations imposed until the time of reform.

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 1:16

    Wash and cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from My sight. Stop doing evil!

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 4:14

    Wash the evil from your heart, O Jerusalem, so that you may be saved. How long will you harbor wicked thoughts within you?

    Read in context
  • John 2:6

    Now six stone water jars had been set there for the Jewish rites of purification. Each could hold from twenty to thirty gallons.

    Read in context
  • James 4:8

    Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

    Read in context
  • Job 9:30–31

    If I should wash myself with snow and cleanse my hands with lye,

    Read in context