Mk 7:1-13
1Now when the Pharisees with some scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around [Jesus], 2they observed that some of his disciples ate their meals with unclean, that is, unwashed, hands. 3(For the Pharisees and, in fact, all Jews, do not eat without carefully washing their hands, keeping the tradition of the elders. 4And on coming from the marketplace they do not eat without purifying themselves. And there are many other things that they have traditionally observed, the purification of cups and jugs and kettles [and beds].) 5So the Pharisees and scribes questioned him, “Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders but instead eat a meal with unclean hands?” 6He responded, “Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors me with their lips,/ but their hearts are far from me;/ 7In vain do they worship me,/ teaching as doctrines human precepts.’ 8You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition.” 9He went on to say, “How well you have set aside the commandment of God in order to uphold your tradition! 10For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and ‘Whoever curses father or mother shall die.’ 11Yet you say, ‘If a person says to father or mother, “Any support you might have had from me is qorban” ’ (meaning, dedicated to God), 12you allow him to do nothing more for his father or mother. 13You nullify the word of God in favor of your tradition that you have handed on. And you do many such things.”
IN FAVOR OF TRADITION: The word “tradition” derives from the Latin traditio, corresponding to the Greek paradosis. Both mean “transmission” or “passing on.” The basic meaning refers to the transmission of beliefs, doctrines, rituals, commands, and prohibitions to a group or community.
In the Gospel, the Pharisees and the scribes from Jerusalem speak of the “tradition of the elders” which, for them, is being neglected by Jesus’ disciples. Indirectly, Jesus is being seen as party to this negligence. What they refer to is “the Great Tradition”—a set of practices defined, maintained, and observed by the religious elite, including the Pharisees.
In their zeal for the Law, the Pharisees have built a “protective fence” around it—a list of commands and statutes, including many prohibitions, which, though not explicitly imposed by the Torah, are deemed necessary to protect its sacredness.
Jesus replies that the concern to sanctify all of life rests upon the commandment above all others, the love of God with the whole heart (Dt 6:4). In the outward appearance of their piety, the Pharisees may be impeccable, but it would be a lie if they do not surrender themselves to God and his living word.