39: Jesus Defends His Disciples for Eating with Unwashed Hands
Previous Matthew 15:1-20; Mark 7:1-23 Jesus Defends His Disciples for Eating with Unwashed Hands Certain Pharisees and scribes from Jerusalem came to Jesus, finding fault that his disciples ate bread with unwashed hands. For, according to tradition long handed down, the Pharisees and Jews could not eat without first washing their hands. There were many other old laws concerning the washing of cups, pots, brass vessels, and tables. The Pharisees and scribes asked Jesus: “Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? They wash not their hands when they eat bread.” Jesus replied: “Well hath Isaiah prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, “This people honoreth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.’ For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups; and many other such like things ye do. Full well ye reject the