Thematic Bible: Traditions of the elders concerning

"Why do your disciples violate the tradition of the [Jewish] elders? For they do not [ceremonially] wash their hands before eating [their meals]." Verse ConceptsFaultsComplaintsLaw, Jesus Christ's Attitude ToTraditionsPeople UnwashedBreaking Man's LawHow People EatFinding Fault With Jesuselders

They had observed some of His disciples eating their food with contaminated, that is, [ceremonially] unwashed hands. (For the Pharisees and all the Jews would not eat anything unless they first scrubbed their hands [i.e., up to the wrists] in accordance with the [long-established] tradition of the Jewish elders). And when they returned from the open shopping markets they refused to eat [anything] until they washed themselves [or "it," that is, the food, thoroughly]. There were also many other traditions which they [strictly] observed, like washing cups, pots and copper kettles [thoroughly].) [Note: The most accurate Greek manuscripts do not add "and beds" in this verse]. read more.
The Pharisees and experts in the law of Moses asked Jesus, "Why do your disciples not live according to the traditions of the Jewish elders, but [instead] eat their food with contaminated [i.e., ceremonially unwashed] hands?"

You disregard the commandment of God and [yet] hang onto the traditions of men." And He said to them, "You are good at rejecting the commandment of God so you can keep your traditions.

And when the Pharisee observed this, he was surprised that Jesus had not first washed himself ceremonially before the meal. Verse ConceptsJudaismMarvellingCharacteristics Of PhariseesAblutionsurprisesJesus Eating