Mark 7:9

καὶ ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς. The insertion of this introductory formula confirms the impression that Mark 7:8 and Mark 7:9 come from two different sources. Syr-Sin. omits the words.

Καλῶς. See on John 4:17 and 2 Corinthians 11:4. The irony is stronger here. This was the beautiful result of their putting a fence about the Law; their fence had shut off the Law so completely that the sight of it was lost.

ἀθετεῖτε. See on Mark 6:26; as applied to such words as ἐντολή, νόμος, διαθήκη, it means not merely violating, but treating as null and void (Hebrews 10:28; Galatians 3:15). The oral tradition had supplanted the written Law—everywhere by engrossing men’s attention, and in some cases by contravening its spirit. D.C.G. art. “Tradition.”