Mark 7:1–8

What Makes People “Unclean”?

7 The Pharisees gathered around Jesus. So did some of the teachers of the law. All of them had come from Jerusalem. 2They saw some of his disciples eating food with “unclean” hands. That means they were not washed.

3The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands to make them pure. That’s what the elders teach. 4When they come from the market place, they do not eat unless they wash. And they follow many other teachings. For example, they wash cups, pitchers, and kettles in a special way.

5So the Pharisees and the teachers of the law questioned Jesus. “Why don’t your disciples live by what the elders teach?” they asked. “Why do they eat their food with ‘unclean’ hands?”

6He replied, “Isaiah was right. He prophesied about you people who pretend to be good. He said,

“ ‘These people honor me by what they say.

But their hearts are far away from me.

7 Their worship doesn’t mean anything to me.

They teach nothing but human rules.’ (Isaiah 29:13)

8You have let go of God’s commands. And you are holding on to the teachings that men have made up.”