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.

Other Translations of Mark 7:3

King James Version

3 For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, oft: or, diligently: in the original, with the fist: Theophylact, up to the elbow eat not, holding 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.

9 And he continued, "You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe[1]your own traditions!

Other Translations of Mark 7:9

King James Version

9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject reject: or, frustrate the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.

English Standard Version

9 And he said to them, "You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition!

The Message

9 He went on, "Well, good for you. You get rid of God's command so you won't be inconvenienced in following the religious fashions!

New King James Version

9 He said to them, "All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.

New Living Translation

9 Then he said, "You skillfully sidestep God's law in order to hold on to your own tradition.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Mark 7:9

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.

13 Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that."

Other Translations of Mark 7:13

King James Version

13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

English Standard Version

13 thus making void the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And many such things you do."

The Message

13 You scratch out God's Word and scrawl a whim in its place. You do a lot of things like this."

New King James Version

13 making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do."

New Living Translation

13 And so you cancel the word of God in order to hand down your own tradition. And this is only one example among many others."

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Mark 7:13

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.