Mark 7:3

KJV

For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash [their] hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} the Pharisees {G5330}, and {G2532} all {G3956} the Jews {G2453}, except {G3362} they wash {G3538} their hands {G5495} oft {G4435}, eat {G2068} not {G3756}, holding {G2902} the tradition {G3862} of the elders {G4245}.

Complete Jewish Bible

(For the P'rushim, and indeed all the Judeans, holding fast to the Tradition of the Elders, do not eat unless they have given their hands a ceremonial washing.

Berean Standard Bible

Now in holding to the tradition of the elders, the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat until they wash their hands ceremonially.

American Standard Version

(For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands diligently, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 7:3 serves as an explanatory note within Mark's Gospel, clarifying for his audience a specific ritualistic practice observed by the Pharisees and many other Jews concerning ceremonial handwashing before meals. This verse highlights the meticulous adherence to human tradition, particularly the "tradition of the elders," which had been elevated to a status akin to divine law, setting the stage for Jesus' subsequent critique of external ritualism versus internal purity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse acts as an explanatory parenthesis inserted by Mark to provide necessary background for his non-Jewish readers, immediately following the Pharisees' accusation against Jesus' disciples for eating with "unclean hands" in [Mark 7:2](/mark/7-2 "Mark 7:2 - The Disciples' Unwashed Hands"). It clarifies *why* the Pharisees considered the disciples' actions problematic, establishing the specific custom that was being violated. The broader narrative of [Mark 7](/mark/7 "Mark 7 - Clean and Unclean") then unfolds as Jesus uses this confrontation to expose the spiritual bankruptcy of prioritizing human traditions over God's commandments, culminating in His teaching that true defilement comes from within the heart, not from external rituals or foods.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "Pharisees" were a prominent Jewish sect known for their strict adherence to the Mosaic Law and, crucially, to an extensive body of oral traditions that had developed over centuries. These traditions, known as the "tradition of the elders," were believed to interpret and safeguard the written Law, but over time, they often overshadowed it. The specific practice of ceremonial handwashing, described here, was not a command from the Torah but a rabbinic injunction intended to ensure ritual purity, especially before eating. This practice was distinct from ordinary hygiene and was deeply ingrained in the religious life of many observant Jews, particularly the Pharisees, who sought to live out a priestly standard of holiness in daily life.
* **Key Themes:** Mark 7:3 introduces several critical themes that permeate the chapter and resonate throughout the Gospels. The primary tension is between **Tradition vs. Commandment**, where human-made rules ("the tradition of the elders") are shown to supersede God's actual commands, a point Jesus powerfully articulates in [Mark 7:8-9](/mark/7-8-9 "Mark 7:8-9 - Rejecting God's Commands for Tradition"). This leads to the theme of **External Purity vs. Internal Purity**, as the Pharisees' focus on outward ritual purity (like handwashing) stands in stark contrast to Jesus' emphasis on the heart as the true source of defilement or purity, as revealed in [Mark 7:15](/mark/7-15 "Mark 7:15 - What Defiles a Person") and further expounded in [Mark 7:20-23](/mark/7-20-23 "Mark 7:20-23 - The Heart's Defilement"). Finally, the verse exemplifies **Legalism**, the practice of adhering to a rigid system of rules, often man-made, as a means of achieving righteousness or spiritual standing, which Jesus consistently challenged throughout His ministry.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Pharisees (Greek, _Pharisaîos_):** Derived from a Hebrew root meaning "to separate," the Pharisees were a prominent Jewish sect in the Second Temple period. They were known for their zealous adherence to the Mosaic Law and, crucially, to the oral traditions (the "tradition of the elders") which they believed were given to Moses alongside the written Law. Mark's specific mention of them here immediately signals to the reader that the ensuing conflict will involve a clash over religious authority and interpretation.
* **oft (Greek, _pygmḗ_):** This word, found only here in the New Testament, is notoriously difficult to translate. While KJV renders it "oft," implying frequency, its literal meaning is "with the fist" (from a word for "fist"). Scholars debate whether it refers to a thorough washing up to the elbow, a vigorous scrubbing motion, or perhaps a specific amount of water used (a "fistful"). Regardless of the precise method, the term underscores the meticulous and ritualistic nature of the handwashing, emphasizing that it was not merely for hygiene but for ceremonial purity, performed with a specific, prescribed method.
* **tradition (Greek, _parádosis_):** From a verb meaning "to hand over" or "to transmit," this term refers to something passed down, whether orally or in writing. In this context, it specifically denotes the body of oral laws and customs developed by Jewish rabbis and elders over generations. These traditions, though not part of the written Torah, were considered by the Pharisees to be equally binding, if not more so, than the written Law, often leading to a complex system of rules and regulations that burdened the people and obscured the true intent of God's commandments.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For the Pharisees, and all the Jews":** Mark begins with an explanatory "For" (Greek: _gar_), indicating he is providing background information. He specifies "the Pharisees" as the primary proponents and guardians of this tradition, but also broadens it to "all the Jews," suggesting that this practice was widespread among observant Jews, not just limited to the Pharisaic sect. This broad scope emphasizes the cultural and religious significance of the custom.
* **"except they wash [their] hands oft, eat not":** This clause describes the specific custom: a ritualistic handwashing that was a prerequisite for eating. The negative "eat not" highlights the strictness of the observance, implying that to eat without performing this ritual would be considered a serious transgression, rendering one ceremonially unclean. The inclusion of "oft" (or "with the fist") points to the thorough, prescribed nature of the washing, distinguishing it from simple hygienic washing.
* **"holding the tradition of the elders":** This final phrase explicitly identifies the source and authority behind the practice. It was not a divine command from the Mosaic Law but a "tradition of the elders"—a body of oral interpretations and regulations passed down through generations of rabbinic authority. This phrase is crucial as it sets up the core conflict in [Mark 7](/mark/7 "Mark 7 - Clean and Unclean") between God's written Word and human tradition.

#### Literary Devices
Mark employs several literary devices in this verse. The most prominent is **Explanatory Parenthesis**, where the evangelist interrupts the narrative flow to provide crucial background information for his Gentile audience, who would likely be unfamiliar with Jewish customs like ceremonial handwashing. This shows Mark's pastoral concern for his readers' understanding. There is also an implied **Contrast** between the external, ritualistic purity emphasized by the Pharisees and the internal, heart-based purity that Jesus will later advocate. Furthermore, the verse functions as **Foreshadowing**, setting the stage for the deeper theological conflict that will unfold in [Mark 7:5-13](/mark/7-5-13 "Mark 7:5-13 - Jesus Condemns Pharisaic Tradition"), where Jesus directly challenges the Pharisees' elevation of human tradition over divine commandment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 7:3 introduces a foundational theological tension that runs through the New Testament: the conflict between outward religious observance and genuine inward transformation. The Pharisees' meticulous adherence to the tradition of the elders, while seemingly pious, ultimately became a legalistic burden that obscured the true intent of God's law—to love God and neighbor. This verse highlights how human traditions, even those developed with good intentions, can become idols when they are elevated above divine commands, leading to a form of self-righteousness that misses the heart of true worship and obedience. Jesus' subsequent teachings in [Mark 7](/mark/7 "Mark 7 - Clean and Unclean") dismantle this external focus, redirecting attention to the inner state of the heart as the source of true defilement or purity.

* [Matthew 15:1-9](/matthew/15-1-9 "Matthew 15:1-9 - Jesus Rebukes the Pharisees for Their Traditions")
* [Colossians 2:8](/colossians/2-8 "Colossians 2:8 - Warning Against Human Philosophy and Tradition")
* [Galatians 1:14](/galatians/1-14 "Galatians 1:14 - Paul's Former Zeal for Traditions")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 7:3 serves as a powerful mirror for believers today, prompting us to critically examine our own spiritual practices and traditions. It challenges us to discern whether our customs, church rituals, or personal disciplines genuinely draw us closer to God and align with His Word, or if they have become ends in themselves, overshadowing the transformative power of the Gospel. We are called to prioritize a heart fully devoted to Christ, characterized by genuine love, humility, and obedience to God's revealed will, over any external performance or adherence to non-biblical rules. The danger of legalism, where we measure our spirituality or others' by adherence to human-made standards, remains a perennial temptation. True righteousness flows from an inner renewal by the Holy Spirit, not from outward conformity.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What traditions or practices in my own life or church community might be elevated above the clear commands of Scripture?**
* **How can I ensure that my spiritual disciplines are a means to a deeper relationship with God, rather than an end in themselves or a source of self-righteousness?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to judge others based on their adherence to non-biblical traditions rather than on their genuine faith and love for Christ?**

### FAQ

**What was the "tradition of the elders" mentioned in this verse?**

Answer: The "tradition of the elders" (Greek: _parádosis tōn presbytérōn_) refers to a vast body of oral laws, interpretations, and customs that had been passed down through generations of Jewish rabbis and religious leaders. These traditions were developed to interpret and apply the written Mosaic Law to daily life, but over time, they grew in complexity and authority, often being considered as binding, if not more so, than the written Torah itself. The ceremonial handwashing before meals, as described in [Mark 7:3](/mark/7-3 "Mark 7:3 - The Tradition of the Elders"), is a prime example of such a tradition, not explicitly commanded in the Old Testament, but rigorously observed by the Pharisees and other devout Jews.

**Why did Mark include this detailed explanation of Jewish customs?**

Answer: Mark's Gospel was primarily written for a Gentile audience, likely Roman Christians, who would have been unfamiliar with the intricate Jewish customs and religious practices. By including explanatory notes like [Mark 7:3](/mark/7-3 "Mark 7:3 - Mark's Explanation of Jewish Customs") (and similar explanations in [Mark 7:4](/mark/7-4 "Mark 7:4 - The Washing of Cups and Pots")), Mark ensures that his readers can fully grasp the context of the conflict between Jesus and the religious leaders. Without this explanation, the Pharisees' accusation against Jesus' disciples for eating with "unwashed hands" ([Mark 7:2](/mark/7-2 "Mark 7:2 - The Unwashed Hands")) would make little sense to a non-Jewish reader, thus hindering their understanding of Jesus' profound teaching on true purity and the nature of God's kingdom.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 7:3, by exposing the legalistic adherence to human traditions, powerfully foreshadows and highlights the radical nature of Christ's ministry and His ultimate fulfillment of the Law. Jesus did not come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")), not by adding more external rules, but by embodying its true spiritual intent: love for God and neighbor. His teaching in [Mark 7](/mark/7 "Mark 7 - Jesus Teaches About True Purity") directly challenges the notion that outward rituals can confer righteousness, redirecting focus to the heart, the wellspring of human actions and intentions. Jesus Himself, as the perfect Lamb of God, became the ultimate sacrifice ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")) through whom true cleansing and purity are achieved, not through ceremonial washings but through His atoning blood ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Cleansing by Christ's Blood")). He inaugurated a new covenant where the Spirit writes God's law on hearts ([Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant")), liberating believers from the burdensome yoke of human traditions and legalistic performance to live in the freedom of grace, rooted in a relationship with Him rather than adherence to external codes ([Galatians 5:1](/galatians/5-1 "Galatians 5:1 - Freedom in Christ")).

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

Galatians 1:14

And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.

Mark 7:13

Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

Colossians 2:21

(Touch not; taste not; handle not;

Colossians 2:23

Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

Colossians 2:8

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

Matthew 15:2

Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.

Matthew 15:6

And honour not his father or his mother, [he shall be free]. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.