2 And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, [1] that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault.

Other Translations of Mark 7:2

New International Version

2 and saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed.

English Standard Version

2 they saw that some of his disciples ate with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed.

The Message

2 They noticed that some of his disciples weren't being careful with ritual washings before meals.

New King James Version

2 Now when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault.

New Living Translation

2 They noticed that some of his disciples failed to follow the Jewish ritual of hand washing before eating.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Mark 7:2

Commentary on Mark 7:1-13

(Read Mark 7:1-13)

One great design of Christ's coming was, to set aside the ceremonial law; and to make way for this, he rejects the ceremonies men added to the law of God's making. Those clean hands and that pure heart which Christ bestows on his disciples, and requires of them, are very different from the outward and superstitious forms of Pharisees of every age. Jesus reproves them for rejecting the commandment of God. It is clear that it is the duty of children, if their parents are poor, to relieve them as far as they are able; and if children deserve to die that curse their parents, much more those that starve them. But if a man conformed to the traditions of the Pharisees, they found a device to free him from the claim of this duty.

3 For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, [2] eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.

Other Translations of Mark 7:3

New International Version

3 (The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders.

English Standard Version

3 (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they washGreek unless they wash with a fist, probably indicating a kind of ceremonial washing their hands, holding to the tradition of the elders,

The Message

3 The Pharisees - Jews in general, in fact - would never eat a meal without going through the motions of a ritual hand-washing,

New King James Version

3 For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands in a special way, holding the tradition of the elders.

New Living Translation

3 (The Jews, especially the Pharisees, do not eat until they have poured water over their cupped hands, as required by their ancient traditions.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Mark 7:3

Commentary on Mark 7:1-13

(Read Mark 7:1-13)

One great design of Christ's coming was, to set aside the ceremonial law; and to make way for this, he rejects the ceremonies men added to the law of God's making. Those clean hands and that pure heart which Christ bestows on his disciples, and requires of them, are very different from the outward and superstitious forms of Pharisees of every age. Jesus reproves them for rejecting the commandment of God. It is clear that it is the duty of children, if their parents are poor, to relieve them as far as they are able; and if children deserve to die that curse their parents, much more those that starve them. But if a man conformed to the traditions of the Pharisees, they found a device to free him from the claim of this duty.