1 Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes came together to Him, having come from Jerusalem. 2 Now when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault. 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. 4 When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other things which they have received and hold, like the washing of cups, pitchers, copper vessels, and couches. 5 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?” 6 He answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written:
‘This people honors Me with their lips,
But their heart is far from Me.
7 And in vain they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’
8 “For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men—the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do.” 9 He said to them, “All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition. 10 “For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’ 11 “But you say, ‘If a man says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban”—’ (that is, a gift to God), 12 “then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother, 13 “making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.” 14 When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear Me, everyone, and understand: 15 “There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man. 16 “If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!” 17 When He had entered a house away from the crowd, His disciples asked Him concerning the parable. 18 So He said to them, “Are you thus without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, 19 “because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?” 20 And He said, “What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. 21 “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 “thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. 23 “All these evil things come from within and defile a man.”
Devotional
This passage begins by telling us that some of the scribes and Pharisees had come from Jerusalem to Galilee where Jesus was preaching and teaching the Kingdom of God. Previously some scribes had come up from Jerusalem and they mocked Jesus before the people saying He was casting out demons by the ruler of demons which He rebuked before them and all present (Mark 3:20-30). The fact that some more scribes, and now Pharisees have come up from Jerusalem is not a desire on their collective part to seek Jesus as the Christ and King sent from God, but only to test Him and His orthodoxy. Yet as we will see what they ascribe as being orthodox and incumbent upon men and women and what Jesus Christ does are worlds apart. So it will be that as these scribes and Pharisees come to Jesus and they observe some of His disciples eating with unwashed hands that they will find fault with them. Not for a moral transgression, but a ceremonial one, and not even one that broke the Law, but only one that broke one of their elder’s traditions (vs. 3-4). For being right before God in their eyes was often based on ones observance of their petty observances of totally insignificant things like hand washing before eating. Not that those things carry any weight in God’s eyes as we will see, but they made their traditions to carry much weight in their own sight while overlooking their own more serious transgressions as Jesus will explicitly expose. Which is simply the fruit of legalism; the results of man trying to adhere to minute details of the letter (whether Scriptural or not) while passing over the weightier matters of the Law, as Jesus said, like justice, mercy and faith (Matt. 23:22).
In the King James Bible Commentary on verses 3-4 it says in regards to their holding onto their traditions as making one right before God, …"Holding is an intense expression which implies a strong, tight grasp as a hawk would seize its prey, Tradition (Gr. Paradosis) comes from two words which mean “to give alongside of.” Thus, Jewish tradition is men’s statutes set alongside of God’s law, It is not the law, but has been accepted and taught with equal authority." Hence here we have a graphic picture of the Pharisees dogmatically holding onto a non Scriptural ideal and giving it the same weight as if it came through the Scriptures. Nonetheless ceremonial washings or any other teaching or commandment of man can do nothing to cleanse the human heart from sin, only repentance towards God and faith in Jesus Christ can, for it is Jesus Christ alone and our faith in Him is what makes us right in the sight of God (Rom. 5:1). Now as Jesus responds to the Pharisees confronting Him with questions about His disciples not keeping their traditions (vs. 5). He shows no regard for their traditions, for Jesus responds to them by saying:
“Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written:
‘This people honors Me with their lips,
But their heart is far from Me.
7 And in vain they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ Vs. 6-7
Now Jesus is quoting from Isaiah 29:13, where it is said that the fear of God was taught by the commandment of men. A grave error both then and now. Therefore Jesus is laying down a demarcation line between true worship of God (John 4:23-24) and worship that is according to the doctrines and commandments of men. For those who hold to the latter do so in vain.
Therefore in light of what Jesus says here about in vain worshipping God according to the commandments of men. We must ask ourselves some very poignant questions about our own faith practices. Do we have or are we dogmatically holding onto non-Scriptural traditions (or ideals) by which we think we are approved before God? Personal preferences on non-essential and non-moral things can sadly become entrenched in our faith practices, and thus become points of legalism and sadly contention, because we hold them so dearly. And in time holding onto them, rather than Jesus Christ’s commandments. For Jesus Christ commands brotherly love, without partiality, not as an ideal but as a commandment to be obeyed by all His followers. Yet how often is His commandment thwarted or distorted in the defense of the doctrines, commandments and traditions of men, which may or may not be born out of segments of Scripture, (and may in of themselves be harmless, as the Pharisees hand washing ritual was) but in application take on a totally non-Scriptural significance, and thus are contrary too the Scriptures, since in practice they only supplant the Scriptures, and or thwart the unity of the Spirit, with and for their own ideals. How many churches or brethren have parted company on things like hymnal singing, hair length, military or police service, pacifism, acoustic only instruments, Bible translations, art, or a whole host of other things that when regarded as fundamental to the faith, in practice, only supplant the grace and gospel of God with the legalistic ideals of man, because they are trying to be right in the sight of God by adhering too (or not) those non-essential things (Consider Rom. 10:3-4). Thus the visible church is often divided not based on believers obedience or disobedience to the gospel of God, (which is the only true grounds for separation) but more often than not on the traditions and decrees of men. Who seek to conform the Scriptures to their own ideals, rather being sanctified and conformed to the Scriptures, which alone have authority. And thus finding acceptance in certain segments of Christian dome sadly is governed by whether one accepts and adheres to their traditions and man-made ideals, and not if one has come to put their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and are seeking to obey Him through the gospel and N.T. writings.
Now from verse eight to thirteen Jesus explains how their elders traditions undermine the commandments of God, there He says “For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men—the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do.” 9 He said to them, “All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition. 10 “For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’ 11 “But you say, ‘If a man says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban”—’ (that is, a gift to God), 12 “then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother, 13 “making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.” vs. 8-13
Now Jesus is citing from the Ten Commandments where God commands that we honor our father and our mother both with giving due respect for their person; but also financially as well. Yet the scribes and Pharisees through their traditions laid aside God’s commandment to do so for their own greed. Essentially they taught the people that whatever financial blessings their parents might have received from them if they had committed that money to God instead (i.e. “corban”) of which the priests under the Law received a portion; than they were released from their moral obligation to finically honor or support their parents in their time of need. Thus through their tradition they made the commandment of God of no effect (vs. 13). Now in the New Covenant believers though not under the Law are still bound by its moral stipulations. For consider what the Apostle Paul says in regards to this; "But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." 1 Tim. 5:8
Therefore we are to honor God and our parents financially for we do not “tithe” to God and neglect our responsibilities to honor our parents. Or if we have wives and children we provide for them as well, since that is a man’s primary responsibility, to provide for his own. Now Jesus will go on to say something that is very important for us to grasp for at it's heart, is the heart of the problem, the sinful heart of man. Again picking up the text it says: 14 When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear Me, everyone, and understand: 15 “There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man. 16 “If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!” vs. 14-16
Jesus than lays aside all notions of defilement as coming from the non observance of the ceremonial regulations of men. Therefore we are not defiled by what we eat, nor are we made pure by what we don't eat. Neither food nor the cleanliness of the hands that eat it, is the issue. For as Jesus says what defiles us is the things that come out of us, that is what defiles us. For the words that we speak often reflect the desires of our hearts, and thus reveal who we are, whether good or bad (Prov. 27:19; Matt. 12:35). Jesus graphically illuminates that fact when He explains the parable to the disciples when they did not understand. 18 So He said to them, “Are you thus without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, 19 “because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?” 20 And He said, “What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. 21 “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 “thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. 23 “All these evil things come from within and defile a man.”
Again Jesus is making it clear that what we need is something far greater then mere ritual cleansing of either our hands, foods, or bodies. What we need is washing and renewal by the Holy Spirit which transforms our heart and soul and thus begins to transform our entire person. Yet that is something only God can do in us, which He freely does when we believe in Jesus Christ the Lord (Titus 3:4-7). For that is the issue, the sinful heart of mankind which can only be rectified through the cross of Christ (John 3). That is the whole gospel's emphasis not on the individual changing their lives, but rather on God's glorious Work through the Incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection and ascension of His Son Jesus Christ in fulfillment of the Scriptures by which He saves and transforms all who believe in Him (John 6:47). For it is through Jesus Christ's Life that God brings revelation of Himself and the Kingdom of Heaven by Jesus' Words and Works by which God is glorified and by which we may come to know Him personally and obey His will through grace and truth (John 1:17). For ceremonially religious practices though having an appearance of religion do nothing for the soul to make atonement for it before God, for without the shedding of blood there is no remission." Heb. 9:22 That is why Jesus Christ the Son of God was crucified to pay the penalty of our sins. Than on the third day Jesus rose from dead which is manifest proof to all of His election before God the Father that He is the One whom God has appointed to be Judge of all things. So that He might be glorified before all and that we might be brought into a relationship with God the Father by our faith in Him. That is how we are justified or declared righteous before God; not by our own obedience to the Law of God, or laws of man, but by our faith in Jesus Christ who then makes us heirs of His Kingdom and the Scriptures Promises. As the Apostle Paul said: “I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.” Gal. 2:21
Therefore neither Jew nor Gentile will be saved apart from the saving grace of God (Jer. 23:4-5; 33:14-16; Eph. 2:8-9). In regards to Jesus Christ's resurrection and ascension back to the Father when He did so He made the way for the Holy Spirit's outpouring into people's lives when we believe in Him. That is the transforming power of God that not only regenerates us (i.e. transforms us) but gives us the power to live out the gospel.
Scripture Quotations
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.
KJV Bible Commentary Consulted on Verses 3-4
Jerry Falwell, executive editor; Edward E. Hinson and Michael Kroll Woodrow, general editors, KJV Bible commentary [computer file], electronic ed., Logos Library System, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson) 1997, c1994.
‘This people honors Me with their lips,
But their heart is far from Me.
7 And in vain they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’
8 “For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men—the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do.” 9 He said to them, “All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition. 10 “For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’ 11 “But you say, ‘If a man says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban”—’ (that is, a gift to God), 12 “then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother, 13 “making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.” 14 When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear Me, everyone, and understand: 15 “There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man. 16 “If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!” 17 When He had entered a house away from the crowd, His disciples asked Him concerning the parable. 18 So He said to them, “Are you thus without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, 19 “because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?” 20 And He said, “What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. 21 “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 “thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. 23 “All these evil things come from within and defile a man.”
Devotional
This passage begins by telling us that some of the scribes and Pharisees had come from Jerusalem to Galilee where Jesus was preaching and teaching the Kingdom of God. Previously some scribes had come up from Jerusalem and they mocked Jesus before the people saying He was casting out demons by the ruler of demons which He rebuked before them and all present (Mark 3:20-30). The fact that some more scribes, and now Pharisees have come up from Jerusalem is not a desire on their collective part to seek Jesus as the Christ and King sent from God, but only to test Him and His orthodoxy. Yet as we will see what they ascribe as being orthodox and incumbent upon men and women and what Jesus Christ does are worlds apart. So it will be that as these scribes and Pharisees come to Jesus and they observe some of His disciples eating with unwashed hands that they will find fault with them. Not for a moral transgression, but a ceremonial one, and not even one that broke the Law, but only one that broke one of their elder’s traditions (vs. 3-4). For being right before God in their eyes was often based on ones observance of their petty observances of totally insignificant things like hand washing before eating. Not that those things carry any weight in God’s eyes as we will see, but they made their traditions to carry much weight in their own sight while overlooking their own more serious transgressions as Jesus will explicitly expose. Which is simply the fruit of legalism; the results of man trying to adhere to minute details of the letter (whether Scriptural or not) while passing over the weightier matters of the Law, as Jesus said, like justice, mercy and faith (Matt. 23:22).
In the King James Bible Commentary on verses 3-4 it says in regards to their holding onto their traditions as making one right before God, …"Holding is an intense expression which implies a strong, tight grasp as a hawk would seize its prey, Tradition (Gr. Paradosis) comes from two words which mean “to give alongside of.” Thus, Jewish tradition is men’s statutes set alongside of God’s law, It is not the law, but has been accepted and taught with equal authority." Hence here we have a graphic picture of the Pharisees dogmatically holding onto a non Scriptural ideal and giving it the same weight as if it came through the Scriptures. Nonetheless ceremonial washings or any other teaching or commandment of man can do nothing to cleanse the human heart from sin, only repentance towards God and faith in Jesus Christ can, for it is Jesus Christ alone and our faith in Him is what makes us right in the sight of God (Rom. 5:1). Now as Jesus responds to the Pharisees confronting Him with questions about His disciples not keeping their traditions (vs. 5). He shows no regard for their traditions, for Jesus responds to them by saying:
“Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written:
‘This people honors Me with their lips,
But their heart is far from Me.
7 And in vain they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ Vs. 6-7
Now Jesus is quoting from Isaiah 29:13, where it is said that the fear of God was taught by the commandment of men. A grave error both then and now. Therefore Jesus is laying down a demarcation line between true worship of God (John 4:23-24) and worship that is according to the doctrines and commandments of men. For those who hold to the latter do so in vain.
Therefore in light of what Jesus says here about in vain worshipping God according to the commandments of men. We must ask ourselves some very poignant questions about our own faith practices. Do we have or are we dogmatically holding onto non-Scriptural traditions (or ideals) by which we think we are approved before God? Personal preferences on non-essential and non-moral things can sadly become entrenched in our faith practices, and thus become points of legalism and sadly contention, because we hold them so dearly. And in time holding onto them, rather than Jesus Christ’s commandments. For Jesus Christ commands brotherly love, without partiality, not as an ideal but as a commandment to be obeyed by all His followers. Yet how often is His commandment thwarted or distorted in the defense of the doctrines, commandments and traditions of men, which may or may not be born out of segments of Scripture, (and may in of themselves be harmless, as the Pharisees hand washing ritual was) but in application take on a totally non-Scriptural significance, and thus are contrary too the Scriptures, since in practice they only supplant the Scriptures, and or thwart the unity of the Spirit, with and for their own ideals. How many churches or brethren have parted company on things like hymnal singing, hair length, military or police service, pacifism, acoustic only instruments, Bible translations, art, or a whole host of other things that when regarded as fundamental to the faith, in practice, only supplant the grace and gospel of God with the legalistic ideals of man, because they are trying to be right in the sight of God by adhering too (or not) those non-essential things (Consider Rom. 10:3-4). Thus the visible church is often divided not based on believers obedience or disobedience to the gospel of God, (which is the only true grounds for separation) but more often than not on the traditions and decrees of men. Who seek to conform the Scriptures to their own ideals, rather being sanctified and conformed to the Scriptures, which alone have authority. And thus finding acceptance in certain segments of Christian dome sadly is governed by whether one accepts and adheres to their traditions and man-made ideals, and not if one has come to put their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and are seeking to obey Him through the gospel and N.T. writings.
Now from verse eight to thirteen Jesus explains how their elders traditions undermine the commandments of God, there He says “For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men—the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do.” 9 He said to them, “All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition. 10 “For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’ 11 “But you say, ‘If a man says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban”—’ (that is, a gift to God), 12 “then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother, 13 “making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.” vs. 8-13
Now Jesus is citing from the Ten Commandments where God commands that we honor our father and our mother both with giving due respect for their person; but also financially as well. Yet the scribes and Pharisees through their traditions laid aside God’s commandment to do so for their own greed. Essentially they taught the people that whatever financial blessings their parents might have received from them if they had committed that money to God instead (i.e. “corban”) of which the priests under the Law received a portion; than they were released from their moral obligation to finically honor or support their parents in their time of need. Thus through their tradition they made the commandment of God of no effect (vs. 13). Now in the New Covenant believers though not under the Law are still bound by its moral stipulations. For consider what the Apostle Paul says in regards to this; "But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." 1 Tim. 5:8
Therefore we are to honor God and our parents financially for we do not “tithe” to God and neglect our responsibilities to honor our parents. Or if we have wives and children we provide for them as well, since that is a man’s primary responsibility, to provide for his own. Now Jesus will go on to say something that is very important for us to grasp for at it's heart, is the heart of the problem, the sinful heart of man. Again picking up the text it says: 14 When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear Me, everyone, and understand: 15 “There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man. 16 “If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!” vs. 14-16
Jesus than lays aside all notions of defilement as coming from the non observance of the ceremonial regulations of men. Therefore we are not defiled by what we eat, nor are we made pure by what we don't eat. Neither food nor the cleanliness of the hands that eat it, is the issue. For as Jesus says what defiles us is the things that come out of us, that is what defiles us. For the words that we speak often reflect the desires of our hearts, and thus reveal who we are, whether good or bad (Prov. 27:19; Matt. 12:35). Jesus graphically illuminates that fact when He explains the parable to the disciples when they did not understand. 18 So He said to them, “Are you thus without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, 19 “because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?” 20 And He said, “What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. 21 “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 “thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. 23 “All these evil things come from within and defile a man.”
Again Jesus is making it clear that what we need is something far greater then mere ritual cleansing of either our hands, foods, or bodies. What we need is washing and renewal by the Holy Spirit which transforms our heart and soul and thus begins to transform our entire person. Yet that is something only God can do in us, which He freely does when we believe in Jesus Christ the Lord (Titus 3:4-7). For that is the issue, the sinful heart of mankind which can only be rectified through the cross of Christ (John 3). That is the whole gospel's emphasis not on the individual changing their lives, but rather on God's glorious Work through the Incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection and ascension of His Son Jesus Christ in fulfillment of the Scriptures by which He saves and transforms all who believe in Him (John 6:47). For it is through Jesus Christ's Life that God brings revelation of Himself and the Kingdom of Heaven by Jesus' Words and Works by which God is glorified and by which we may come to know Him personally and obey His will through grace and truth (John 1:17). For ceremonially religious practices though having an appearance of religion do nothing for the soul to make atonement for it before God, for without the shedding of blood there is no remission." Heb. 9:22 That is why Jesus Christ the Son of God was crucified to pay the penalty of our sins. Than on the third day Jesus rose from dead which is manifest proof to all of His election before God the Father that He is the One whom God has appointed to be Judge of all things. So that He might be glorified before all and that we might be brought into a relationship with God the Father by our faith in Him. That is how we are justified or declared righteous before God; not by our own obedience to the Law of God, or laws of man, but by our faith in Jesus Christ who then makes us heirs of His Kingdom and the Scriptures Promises. As the Apostle Paul said: “I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.” Gal. 2:21
Therefore neither Jew nor Gentile will be saved apart from the saving grace of God (Jer. 23:4-5; 33:14-16; Eph. 2:8-9). In regards to Jesus Christ's resurrection and ascension back to the Father when He did so He made the way for the Holy Spirit's outpouring into people's lives when we believe in Him. That is the transforming power of God that not only regenerates us (i.e. transforms us) but gives us the power to live out the gospel.
Scripture Quotations
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.
KJV Bible Commentary Consulted on Verses 3-4
Jerry Falwell, executive editor; Edward E. Hinson and Michael Kroll Woodrow, general editors, KJV Bible commentary [computer file], electronic ed., Logos Library System, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson) 1997, c1994.
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