Mark 7:4

2 And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault.

3 For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.

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.

5 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?

6 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is 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 unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.

    Read in context
  • Luke 11:38–39

    And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had not first washed before dinner.

    Read in context
  • Hebrews 9:10

    Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 1:16

    Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 4:14

    O Jerusalem, wash thine heart from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved. How long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee?

    Read in context
  • John 2:6

    And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.

    Read in context
  • James 4:8

    Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

    Read in context
  • Job 9:30–31

    If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands never so clean;

    Read in context