The Tradition of the Elders
Pharisees and scribes notice unwashed hands among the disciples and question Jesus about their failure to follow ancestral washing customs.
T1hen the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus, 2and they saw some of His disciples eating with hands that were defiled— that is, unwashed. 3Now in holding to the tradition of the elders, the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat until they wash their hands ceremonially. 4And 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. 5So 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.”
Verse 1Pharisees and scribes from Jerusalem gather around Jesus.
The opposition comes from Jerusalem to confront Jesus.
Verse 2They notice disciples eating with unwashed hands.
The immediate complaint is ceremonial uncleanness.
Verse 3Mark explains the elders’ washing tradition.
The narrative identifies the custom behind the objection.
Verse 4The Pharisees observe washings after market visits and for many utensils.
The custom extends beyond hands to household items.
Verse 5They question why the disciples ignore the elders’ tradition.
The challenge is framed as a breach of inherited practice.
Jesus answers with Isaiah and Moses, accusing them of honoring God with empty worship while using Corban and other traditions to set aside parental duty.
6Jesus answered them, “Isaiah prophesied correctly about you hypocrites, as it is written: 7They worship Me in vain; 8You have disregarded the commandment of God to keep the tradition of men. ” 9He went on to say, “You neatly set aside the command of God to maintain your own tradition. 10For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’ 11But 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), 12he is no longer permitted to do anything for his father or mother. 13Thus you nullify the word of God by the tradition you have handed down. And you do so in many such matters.”
Verse 6Jesus cites Isaiah against hypocrites.
He answers with prophetic judgment.
Verse 7Their worship is vain because human tradition replaces God’s command.
Empty worship is tied to misplaced authority.
Verse 8They set aside God’s command to hold human tradition.
The contrast between command and custom is made explicit.
Verse 9Jesus says they skillfully reject God’s command to keep their own tradition.
He exposes deliberate substitution.
Verse 10He cites Moses on honoring parents and the death penalty for cursing them.
The law places family duty under divine authority.
Verse 11They allow a gift devoted to God to be claimed instead of support for parents.
Religious language is used to evade obligation.
Verse 12That claim frees a man from doing anything for father or mother.
Parental care is cancelled by the vow.
Verse 13They nullify God’s word through their handed-down tradition.
Jesus names the result as a direct voiding of Scripture.
A quiet block diagram: each row is one authored paragraph movement, with verse numbers kept visible for scanning and deeper work.
- vv. 1-5
Pharisees and scribes notice unwashed hands among the disciples and question Jesus about their failure to follow ancestral washing customs.
The scene sets the dispute over ritual washing and inherited practice. - vv. 6-13
Jesus answers with Isaiah and Moses, accusing them of honoring God with empty worship while using Corban and other traditions to set aside parental duty.
Jesus names the deeper breach: tradition used against the command of God.