Washing According to Tradition - Mark 7:5

Mark wrote, “then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem. And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashed, hands, they found fault. And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brazen vessels, and of tables”, and in chapter seven and verse five of his book, Mark wrote how the Pharisees and some of the scribes asked Jesus why His disciples did not “walk”, “according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands” where we read:

Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not your disciples

according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?

The verse reads, “Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not your disciples ...” Mark began with the words, “then the Pharisees” which means “at that time and moment the sect that seems to have started after the Jewish exile. In addition to Old Testament books the Pharisees recognized in oral tradition a standard of belief and life” “and scribes” which means “and men learned in the Mosaic law and in the sacred writings, interpreters and teachers” “asked him” which means “accosted Jesus with an inquiry, put a question to and interrogated Him”, “why walk not” or “for what reason and cause regulate, conduct, live and pass no and not in any way” “your disciples” which refers to Jesus' students, pupils and attendants”. Mark shared how the “religious leaders” “accosted” Jesus to question “what was the cause of” His “disciples” not following and acquiescing to the following.

The verse continues, “... according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?” Mark added the words, “according” which means “down from and throughout” “to the tradition” or “toward the surrender, giving over objectively that which is delivered and the substance of teaching” “of the elders” which means “pertaining to the members of the great council or Sanhedrin”, “but eat bread” or “nevertheless, notwithstanding, moreover and consume and devour food made by mixing flour and water and baked” “with unwashed hands” which refers to “with physical hands that are without ablution and ceremonially cleansed”? Mark shared how the “religious leaders” wanted to know “why” His disciples did not conduct themselves “after the ways” of the “members of the Sanhedrin” in respect to “consuming food” without performing their “traditional” ceremonial washing.

When we think through Mark's words in this verse, we see how indignantly these “religious leaders” approached the “Son of God and Messiah Jesus” with their question. Because they followed their “man-made” rules, they thought everyone should hold to them, especially “disciples” of Jesus. They questioned Him because His “disciples” were violating their “tradition” which in their eyes made them “sinful” and “filthy” men. God's law indites every person as a “sinner”, because everyone violates His law somehow. The penalty for this violation is “death” (See Romans 6:23), and that is why God sent His son Jesus to “die” for the sins of the whole world. Those who “believe” in Him, “shall not perish, but have everlasting life” (See John 3:16), and the man-made “tradition” of “ceremonial washings” will have no effect upon those believers.

Next time Mark shares how Jesus answered the Pharisees and scribes, “well has Isaiah prophesied of you” again, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".