Mark 7:8

For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, [as] the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.

For {G1063} laying aside {G863} the commandment {G1785} of God {G2316}, ye hold {G2902} the tradition {G3862} of men {G444}, as the washing {G909} of pots {G3582} and {G2532} cups {G4221}: and {G2532} many {G4183} other {G243} such {G5108} like things {G3946} ye do {G4160}.

"You depart from God's command and hold onto human tradition. Indeed,"

You have disregarded the commandment of God to keep the tradition of men.”

Ye leave the commandment of God, and hold fast the tradition of men.

Commentary

In Mark 7:8, Jesus directly challenges the religious leaders of His day, condemning their practice of elevating human traditions above the divine commandments. This verse is a powerful indictment against hypocrisy and misplaced priorities in faith, highlighting the tension between external ritual and true spiritual obedience.

Context

This verse is central to a significant confrontation between Jesus and the Pharisees and scribes, who questioned why Jesus's disciples did not observe the traditional ritual washing of hands before eating (Mark 7:5). These elaborate washings were not commanded by the Mosaic Law but were part of the oral tradition, or "tradition of the elders," meticulously developed over generations. Jesus responds by exposing their deeper spiritual failing: they were so focused on external rituals and man-made rules that they neglected the very heart of God's law. He even quotes Isaiah 29:13 in the preceding verses (Mark 7:6-7) to highlight their hypocrisy and misplaced reverence.

Key Themes

  • Human Tradition vs. Divine Command: The core message is the danger of prioritizing man-made rules and customs over God's explicit will. The "washing of pots and cups" served as a clear, relatable example of the meticulous, yet spiritually empty, traditions they upheld. This illustrates how traditions, even well-intentioned ones, can become burdensome and distract from genuine faith.
  • Hypocrisy: Jesus exposes the superficiality of their piety. Their outward adherence to traditions masked an inward disregard for God's true intentions, particularly concerning ethical and moral principles. This theme is echoed in Matthew 15:8-9, where Jesus condemns those who honor God with their lips but whose hearts are far from Him.
  • True Piety: The verse implicitly calls for a faith rooted in the heart and obedience to God's fundamental commands, rather than a mere outward show of ritualistic observance. God desires genuine transformation and heartfelt devotion above mere external compliance.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "laying aside" comes from the Greek word aphentes (ἀφέντες), which implies a deliberate act of abandoning, neglecting, or setting aside. It's not a casual oversight but a conscious choice to disregard. The "commandment of God" (ἐντολὴν τοῦ θεοῦ - entolēn tou theou) refers to God's revealed law, while the "tradition of men" (παράδοσιν τῶν ἀνθρώπων - paradosin tōn anthrōpōn) refers to inherited customs or teachings that, in this context, had been given an authority equal to or even greater than God's written law.

Practical Application

For believers today, Mark 7:8 serves as a timeless warning and a call to self-examination. It prompts us to consider:

  • Are there traditions within our religious practices or personal lives that we uphold more strictly than God's direct commands found in Scripture?
  • Do we sometimes prioritize external religious acts or social norms over internal transformation, genuine love for God, and sincere compassion for our neighbor?
  • The verse encourages us to continually return to the Scriptures to discern God's true will, ensuring our faith is built on divine truth, not human invention or empty ritual. As Paul warns in Colossians 2:8, we must be careful not to be "spoiled through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ."
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Mark 7:3 (6 votes)

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

  • Mark 7:4 (6 votes)

    And [when they come] from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, [as] the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables.

  • Isaiah 1:12 (2 votes)

    When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts?