Matthew 15:1-9 - Human Traditions And God's Commandments

¹ Then some Pharisees and Teachers of the Law came to Jesus, and said: ² "How is it that your disciples break the traditions of our ancestors? For they do not wash their hands when they eat food."

³ His reply was: "How is it that you on your side break God's commandments out of respect for your own traditions? ⁴ For God said--'Honor thy father and mother,' and 'Let him who reviles his father or mother suffer death,'

⁵ But you say 'Whenever any one says to his father or mother "Whatever of mine might have been of service to you is 'Given to God,'" ⁶ He is in no way bound to honor his father.' In this way you have nullified the words of God on account of your traditions. ⁷ Hypocrites! It was well said by Isaiah when he prophesied about you--

⁸ 'This is a people that honor me with their lips, While their hearts are far removed from me; ⁹ But vainly do they worship me, For they teach but the precepts of men.'"

¹ One day the Pharisees and some of the Teachers of the Law who had come from Jerusalem gathered round Jesus. ² They had noticed that some of his disciples ate their food with their hands 'defiled,' by which they meant unwashed. ³ (For the Pharisees, and indeed all strict Jews, will not eat without first scrupulously washing their hands, holding in this to the traditions of their ancestors. ⁴ When they come from market, they will not eat without first sprinkling themselves; and there are many other customs which they have inherited and hold to, such as the ceremonial washing of cups, and jugs, and copper pans). ⁵ So the Pharisees and the Teachers of the Law asked Jesus this question--"How is it that your disciples do not follow the traditions of our ancestors, but eat their food with defiled hands?"

⁶ His answer was: "It was well said by Isaiah when he prophesied about you hypocrites in the words--'This is a people that honor me with their lips, While their hearts are far removed from me; ⁷ But vainly do they worship me, For they teach but the precepts of men.'

⁸ You neglect God's commandments and hold to the traditions of men. ⁹ Wisely do you set aside God's commandments," he exclaimed, "to keep your own traditions! ¹⁰ For while Moses said 'Honor thy father and thy mother,' and 'Let him who reviles his father or mother suffer death,'

¹¹ You say 'If a man says to his father or mother "Whatever of mine might have been of service to you is Korban"' (which means 'Given to God')-- ¹² Why, then you do not allow him to do anything further for his father or mother! ¹³ In this way you nullify the words of God by your traditions, which you hand down; and you do many similar things."