Mark 7:1-13

Human traditions and the commandments of men Mark 7:1-13: The Scribes and the Pharisees were constant foes of Jesus. Pharisees were a strict religious sect of the Jews. The Scribes copied and taught the Law of Moses.

These people constantly watched for something to accuse Jesus of. Their present complaint was that Jesus' disciples did not honor the custom of the ceremonial washing of hands before eating. This was not just ordinary hand washing for sanitary purposes. This was a tradition or custom handed down to them by their fore-fathers. There were many oral, man-made laws handed down to them that the Pharisees felt that they should observe. These included the washing of cups, and pots, brazen vessels and of tables in some ceremonial way.

The Pharisees and Scribes' criticism was based on the fact that the disciples of Jesus disregarded traditions handed down by the fore-fathers. They were more concerned about tradition than truth. Jesus applied Isaiah's prophecy to these people. "Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men" (Isaiah 29:13) Jesus called them hypocrites! Worship based on the commandments of men is vain. They also found ways to nullify God's commandments by their traditions. Jesus illustrated this by showing that instead of taking care of their age able parents they would say it is Corban, that is, is a gift offered to God. They then felt secure in disobeying divine Law because of human tradition.