Mark 7:2

KJV

And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} when they saw {G1492} some {G5100} of his {G846} disciples {G3101} eat {G2068} bread {G740} with defiled {G2839}, that is to say {G5123}, with unwashen {G449}, hands {G5495}, they found fault {G3201}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and saw that some of his talmidim ate with ritually unclean hands, that is, without doing n'tilat-yadayim.

Berean Standard Bible

and they saw some of His disciples eating with hands that were defiled—that is, unwashed.

American Standard Version

and had seen that some of his disciples ate their bread with defiled, that is, unwashen, hands.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 7:2 introduces a pivotal confrontation between Jesus' disciples and the religious authorities, specifically the Pharisees and scribes. This verse highlights their observation of the disciples eating bread without performing the customary ritual handwashing, which the religious leaders considered a serious transgression against their oral traditions, leading them to accuse Jesus' followers of defilement. This incident serves as the immediate catalyst for Jesus' profound teaching on true purity, contrasting external ceremonialism with the internal condition of the heart.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Jesus' extensive ministry in Galilee, including the feeding of the five thousand and walking on water, which solidified His growing popularity and the increasing scrutiny from religious leaders. [Mark 7:1](/mark/7-1 "Mark 7:1 - Pharisees and Scribes Confront Jesus") sets the scene, explicitly stating the arrival of Pharisees and scribes from Jerusalem, indicating a deliberate and organized challenge to Jesus' authority. The accusation in [Mark 7:2](/mark/7-2 "Mark 7:2 - Disciples Eat with Unwashed Hands") then precipitates Jesus' detailed discourse on human traditions versus divine commandments, which extends through [Mark 7:23](/mark/7-23 "Mark 7:23 - What Truly Defiles a Person"). This initial observation by the Pharisees is not merely a passing comment but a direct challenge designed to expose what they perceived as a disregard for piety, setting the stage for Jesus to dismantle their legalistic framework.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In first-century Judaism, particularly among the Pharisees, ritual purity laws were meticulously observed. While the Mosaic Law prescribed ceremonial washings for priests and specific situations (e.g., [Leviticus 15](/leviticus/15 "Leviticus 15 - Laws Concerning Bodily Discharges")), the tradition of washing hands before meals, especially after being in the marketplace, was an oral tradition (halakha) developed by the elders. This practice, known as *netilat yadayim*, was not about hygiene but about avoiding ritual defilement (e.g., from contact with Gentiles, common people, or unclean objects) before partaking in sacred meals. For the Pharisees, adhering to these traditions was a hallmark of their piety and a means of maintaining holiness in daily life, effectively elevating human customs to the level of divine law.
* **Key Themes:** Mark 7:2 immediately introduces several critical themes that permeate the broader narrative of Mark's Gospel and Jesus' ministry. It starkly highlights the **conflict between human tradition and divine truth**, demonstrating how the Pharisees' zealous adherence to their oral law had eclipsed the spirit and intent of God's written commandments. This incident also sets up the profound contrast between **external purity and internal heart condition**, a central tenet of Jesus' teaching, where He consistently emphasizes that true defilement originates not from outside a person through ritual impurity, but from the evil intentions and desires within the heart, as articulated later in [Mark 7:15-23](/mark/7-15-23 "Mark 7:15-23 - Jesus Teaches on True Defilement"). Furthermore, the verse exposes the **legalism and hypocrisy** inherent in the religious leaders' approach, as they prioritize outward observance and judgment over the weightier matters of the Law such as justice, mercy, and faithfulness, which Jesus consistently championed throughout His ministry.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **defiled (Greek, _koinós'_):** This word, often translated as "common" or "unclean," carries a specific ritualistic meaning. It refers to something that is not consecrated or set apart, thus rendering it ritually impure or profane in the eyes of Jewish ceremonial law. It does not imply physical dirtiness but a state that makes one unfit for sacred activities or contact with holy things according to rabbinic tradition.
* **unwashen (Greek, _ániptos'_):** Derived from a negative particle ("a-") and a word related to washing, this term specifically denotes hands that have not undergone the prescribed ceremonial ablution. It pinpoints the exact nature of the disciples' "offense"—not a lack of basic hygiene, but the omission of a ritual washing deemed essential by the Pharisees to remove perceived ritual defilement.
* **found fault (Greek, _mémphomai'_):** This verb means "to blame" or "to censure." It indicates that the Pharisees and scribes were not merely observing but actively criticizing and condemning the disciples' actions. Their "finding fault" was an accusation, implying a violation of religious custom and an implicit challenge to Jesus' authority in allowing such a practice.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread":** This clause establishes the setting and the initial observation. The religious leaders, likely positioned to scrutinize Jesus and His followers, witnessed the disciples engaged in the common act of eating. The simple act of eating bread, a staple of daily life, becomes the focal point of their legalistic scrutiny, highlighting their meticulous watch over external practices.
* **"with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands":** This parenthetical explanation is crucial, clarifying the nature of the "defilement." It explicitly states that the issue was not physical dirt but the absence of the ceremonial handwashing. The KJV's "that is to say" (Greek: _toutésti_) serves as an interpretive gloss, ensuring the reader understands the specific ritualistic context of "defiled" hands, which refers to their ritual impurity due to the lack of the prescribed ablution.
* **"they found fault."**: This concluding phrase reveals the immediate and judgmental reaction of the religious leaders. Their "finding fault" signifies their condemnation and sets the stage for the ensuing theological debate. It underscores their role as guardians of tradition and their readiness to challenge anyone, including Jesus, who appeared to deviate from their established norms.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 7:2 employs several literary devices to underscore the tension and set the stage for Jesus' teaching. The verse utilizes **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the deeper conflict between Jesus' teachings and the legalistic traditions of the Pharisees that will dominate the subsequent discourse. The phrase "defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands" serves as a form of **Explanatory Gloss**, where the narrator clarifies the specific meaning of "defiled" for the audience, ensuring they understand it refers to ritual impurity rather than physical dirt. This clarification is vital for grasping the core of the conflict. Furthermore, there is an element of **Irony** in the religious leaders, who are zealous for external purity, being blind to the spiritual defilement of their own hearts, a theme Jesus will powerfully expose later in the chapter.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 7:2 serves as a foundational text for understanding the New Testament's reorientation of purity from external ritual to internal righteousness. The Pharisees' accusation highlights a pervasive theological error of the time: elevating human traditions to the level of divine law, thereby obscuring the true intent of God's commandments. Jesus' response in the subsequent verses (Mark 7:6-13) directly confronts this issue, accusing them of nullifying God's word for the sake of their traditions. This passage underscores that God is primarily concerned with the heart's condition, not merely outward observances. True defilement stems from within, from evil thoughts and intentions, rather than from external contact or a failure to perform ritualistic washings. This theological shift is central to the New Covenant, where the focus moves from ceremonial law to the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in the believer's heart.

* [Isaiah 29:13](/isaiah/29-13 "Isaiah 29:13 - Worship with Lips, Not Heart")
* [Matthew 15:1-9](/matthew/15-1-9 "Matthew 15:1-9 - Jesus Confronts Pharisees on Traditions")
* [Romans 14:17](/romans/14-17 "Romans 14:17 - The Kingdom of God is Not Food and Drink")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 7:2 offers a timeless challenge to believers to critically examine the source and authority of their spiritual practices. It compels us to ask whether our faith is rooted in genuine devotion to God's revealed truth or subtly swayed by human traditions, cultural norms, or personal preferences that may inadvertently overshadow divine commands. The incident reminds us that true spirituality is not measured by outward conformity to rules or rituals, but by the transformative work of the Holy Spirit within the heart. We are called to prioritize internal purity, cultivating a heart that loves God and neighbor, rather than becoming entangled in legalistic judgments of others based on non-essential practices. This verse serves as a powerful reminder to guard against the dangers of hypocrisy and self-righteousness, fostering instead a spirit of grace, humility, and genuine obedience that flows from a heart made clean by Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What human traditions or cultural norms might I be prioritizing over the clear teachings of Scripture in my own life or community?**
* **How does my understanding of "purity" align with Jesus' teaching that defilement comes from within the heart, rather than from external actions or omissions?**
* **In what ways might I be prone to a legalistic spirit, judging others based on outward observances rather than extending grace and focusing on the weightier matters of faith?**

### FAQ
**Was the disciples' eating with "unwashen hands" a matter of poor hygiene?**

Answer: No, the "unwashen hands" mentioned in [Mark 7:2](/mark/7-2 "Mark 7:2 - Disciples Eat with Unwashed Hands") was not a concern about physical cleanliness or hygiene. The Greek word used, _ániptos_ (G449), specifically refers to hands that have not undergone the prescribed ceremonial washing, a ritual tradition meticulously observed by the Pharisees before meals. This practice was intended to remove ritual defilement (e.g., from contact with "common" or "unclean" things or people) and maintain a state of ritual purity, not to prevent the spread of germs. The Pharisees' "finding fault" was purely a religious and ceremonial objection, highlighting their strict adherence to oral traditions over the spirit of the Law.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 7:2, with its focus on external ritual versus internal purity, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus' person and work. The conflict over "unwashen hands" directly foreshadows Jesus' ultimate redefinition of purity, moving it from ceremonial externalism to the radical transformation of the heart. Christ Himself is the fulfillment of the Law, not by abolishing it, but by perfectly embodying its true spirit and intent ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")). He teaches that true defilement comes from within, from the evil thoughts and intentions of the heart ([Mark 7:21-23](/mark/7-21-23 "Mark 7:21-23 - What Comes from the Heart Defiles")), a truth that exposes the inadequacy of ritualistic washings. Jesus, through His atoning sacrifice, provides the only true cleansing, not of hands, but of the conscience and the soul, making believers truly clean before God ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Cleansing by Christ's Blood")). The New Covenant, inaugurated by Christ's blood, emphasizes an internal transformation where God's law is written on the heart, and believers are purified by faith, not by adherence to human traditions or ceremonial laws ([Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant")). Thus, the legalistic accusation in Mark 7:2 ultimately points to Christ as the one who provides genuine and lasting purity, enabling a relationship with God based on grace and truth, not on external performance.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 10:28

And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

Matthew 7:3

And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

Matthew 7:5

Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

Romans 14:14

I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that [there is] nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him [it is] unclean.

Matthew 23:23

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier [matters] of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

Matthew 23:25

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.

Acts 11:8

But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth.