The Tradition of the Elders
Pharisees and scribes question the disciples’ handwashing, and Jesus answers by confronting the way their tradition overrides God’s command to honor father and mother. He calls their worship empty when lips speak honor but the heart stays distant.
T1hen some Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked, 2“Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They do not wash their hands before they eat.” 3Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? 4For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’ 5But you say that if anyone says to his father or mother, ‘Whatever you would have received from me is a gift devoted to God,’ 6he need not honor his father or mother with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. 7You hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied correctly about you: 8‘These people honor Me with their lips, 9They worship Me in vain;