Mark 7:8

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Mark 7:8, Jesus delivers a scathing indictment against the religious leaders of His day, revealing their profound spiritual misdirection: they had systematically abandoned the clear, divine directives of God in favor of meticulously upholding and enforcing humanly devised traditions. This verse encapsulates Jesus's core critique of a faith system that prioritized outward ritual and man-made regulations over genuine obedience and heartfelt devotion to God's revealed will, exposing the hypocrisy of those who honored God with their lips but whose hearts were far from Him.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal statement within a broader confrontation between Jesus and the Pharisees and some scribes who had come from Jerusalem. The conflict begins in [Mark 7:1-5](/mark/7-1-5 "Mark 7:1-5 - The Pharisees' Challenge Regarding Handwashing"), where these religious authorities question why Jesus's disciples do not follow the "tradition of the elders" concerning ritual handwashing before eating. Jesus's response, beginning in [Mark 7:6](/mark/7-6 "Mark 7:6 - Jesus Quotes Isaiah"), immediately turns the accusation back on them, quoting [Isaiah 29:13](/isaiah/29-13 "Isaiah 29:13 - A Prophecy of Lip Service") to highlight their hypocrisy. [Mark 7:8](/mark/7-8 "Mark 7:8 - Abandoning God's Command") serves as the direct accusation, asserting that they have "laid aside the commandment of God" to "hold the tradition of men." The subsequent verses, [Mark 7:9-13](/mark/7-9-13 "Mark 7:9-13 - Corban and Disobeying Parents"), provide a specific example of how their tradition (Corban) directly nullified a divine command (honoring parents), solidifying Jesus's argument.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "tradition of men" or "tradition of the elders" refers to the vast body of oral laws and interpretations that had developed over centuries among Jewish religious leaders, particularly the Pharisees. These traditions, believed to have been passed down from Moses alongside the written Torah, were considered by many to be equally, if not more, authoritative than the written law. The ritual washings, like those of hands, pots, and cups mentioned in [Mark 7:3-4](/mark/7-3-4 "Mark 7:3-4 - The Tradition of Washings"), were not found in the Mosaic Law but were meticulously observed to maintain ritual purity in daily life, especially before meals. For the Pharisees, adherence to these traditions was a hallmark of piety and righteousness, distinguishing them from the common people and ensuring their separation from defilement. Jesus's challenge struck at the very core of their religious identity and authority.
* **Key Themes:** [Mark 7:8](/mark/7-8 "Mark 7:8 - The Heart of the Conflict") powerfully articulates several crucial themes. The primary theme is the **Supremacy of Divine Command over Human Tradition**. Jesus unequivocally asserts that God's explicit commands must always take precedence over any man-made rules or customs, no matter how well-intentioned or deeply ingrained they may be. This highlights the danger of **Legalism and Externalism**, where outward conformity to rituals replaces inner transformation and genuine obedience of the heart. The verse also exposes the **Hypocrisy** of those who meticulously observe trivial traditions while neglecting the weightier matters of God's law, a theme echoed in [Matthew 23:23](/matthew/23-23 "Matthew 23:23 - Woe to the Scribes and Pharisees"). Ultimately, Jesus calls for **True Piety**, which is characterized by a sincere heart devoted to God's will, prioritizing spiritual substance over superficial religious performance.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **laying aside (Greek, _aphíēmi'_):** From G863, this word means to send forth, to forgive, forsake, lay aside, leave, or omit. In this context, it signifies a deliberate act of abandoning, neglecting, or consciously disregarding. It's not a casual oversight but a purposeful choice to set aside or reject the divine command.
* **commandment (Greek, _entolḗ'_):** From G1785, this refers to an injunction or an authoritative prescription. It denotes God's revealed law, His explicit instructions and decrees given to humanity, particularly through the Mosaic Law. This term emphasizes the divine origin and binding authority of God's will.
* **tradition (Greek, _parádosis'_):** From G3862, this word means transmission, or concretely, a precept. It specifically refers to the Jewish traditionary law, the unwritten body of customs, interpretations, and rulings passed down through generations. Jesus highlights that these traditions, though human in origin, had been elevated to a status that rivaled or even superseded God's own commands.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For laying aside the commandment of God,"**: This opening clause serves as the direct accusation. The Greek conjunction "For" (G1063, _gár_) introduces the reason or explanation for Jesus's prior rebuke. The phrase "laying aside" (G863, _aphíēmi_) implies a deliberate, active rejection or neglect. It highlights that the religious leaders had consciously chosen to disregard God's explicit commands, treating them as secondary or optional.
* **"ye hold the tradition of men,"**: In stark contrast to "laying aside" God's command, the religious leaders actively "hold" (G2902, _kratéō_, meaning to seize or retain firmly) the traditions originating from human authority. This juxtaposition underscores the misplaced priorities: what God commanded was dismissed, while what men instituted was rigorously upheld. The "tradition of men" (G3862, _parádosis_ G444, _ánthrōpos_) refers to the oral law and customs developed by the elders, which had become burdensome and, in some cases, contradictory to God's written law.
* **"as the washing of pots and cups:"**: This phrase provides a concrete, illustrative example of the "tradition of men" that they meticulously observed. The "washing" (G909, _baptismós_) here refers to ceremonial ablutions, not Christian baptism. "Pots" (G3582, _xéstēs_) and "cups" (G4221, _potḗrion_) represent common household items that, according to their tradition, needed ritual purification. This example, seemingly trivial in comparison to divine commands, highlights the meticulousness with which they upheld human rules.
* **"and many other such like things ye do."**: This concluding statement expands the scope of Jesus's critique beyond just the washings. The phrase "many other such like things" (G4183, _polýs_ G243, _állos_ G5108, _toioûtos_ G3946, _parómoios_) indicates that the washings were merely one example among a multitude of human traditions that the Pharisees rigorously practiced. This emphasizes the pervasive nature of their misplaced priorities and their systematic elevation of human customs over divine law (G4160, _poiéō_, "ye do").

#### Literary Devices
Mark 7:8 is rich in literary devices that amplify Jesus's message. The most prominent is **Contrast**, as Jesus starkly juxtaposes "the commandment of God" with "the tradition of men." This antithesis highlights the irreconcilable difference between divine authority and human invention when the latter usurps the former. The phrase "laying aside" versus "ye hold" further emphasizes this contrast, showing a deliberate rejection of one for the firm embrace of the other. **Exemplification** or **Illustration** is evident in the specific mention of "the washing of pots and cups," which serves as a tangible, relatable example of the meticulous but misplaced focus of their traditions. This concrete image helps the audience understand the abstract concept of "tradition of men." Finally, there is an element of **Irony** in the Pharisees' actions. They, who prided themselves on their piety and adherence to the law, were ironically the ones neglecting the very source of true righteousness by prioritizing their own rules over God's.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 7:8 stands as a profound theological statement on the nature of true worship and obedience, asserting that genuine piety is rooted in a heart transformed by God's will, not in mere external adherence to humanly devised rituals. This verse challenges the pervasive human tendency to create religious systems that prioritize outward performance, social conformity, or self-righteousness over the direct commands of God. It underscores that when human traditions, even those initially intended to honor God, become ends in themselves or supersede divine revelation, they become a barrier to authentic faith and can even lead to the nullification of God's word. The core theological principle is that God desires obedience from the heart, which flows from a relationship with Him, rather than a legalistic adherence to a set of rules, especially those not ordained by Him. This principle is foundational to understanding the New Covenant, where the emphasis shifts from external rites to internal transformation through Christ.

* [Matthew 15:3](/matthew/15-3 "Matthew 15:3 - Why do you transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?")
* [Colossians 2:8](/colossians/2-8 "Colossians 2:8 - Beware of philosophy and vain deceit")
* [Titus 1:14](/titus/1-14 "Titus 1:14 - Not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 7:8 serves as a timeless mirror, inviting believers across generations to critically examine the foundations of their faith and practice. It challenges us to discern whether our devotion is truly to God's revealed will or if we have, perhaps inadvertently, elevated human customs, cultural norms, or even personal preferences to a place of undue authority. This verse compels us to ask if we are prioritizing the "washing of pots and cups"—the external, the visible, the socially acceptable—over the "commandment of God"—the internal transformation, the ethical demands, the call to genuine love for God and neighbor. True spiritual maturity involves a continuous return to Scripture, allowing God's Word to be the ultimate arbiter of truth and practice, ensuring that our faith is built on divine truth rather than human invention or empty ritual. It's a call to humility, recognizing that our traditions, while potentially valuable, must always remain subservient to the living Word of God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "traditions of men" might I be holding more tightly than the "commandment of God" in my personal life or within my faith community?**
* **How can I discern the difference between a helpful tradition and one that has subtly begun to nullify God's Word or distract from true spiritual obedience?**
* **Am I more concerned with outward religious performance or with cultivating a heart that genuinely seeks to obey and honor God?**
* **In what ways might I be prone to hypocrisy, prioritizing what looks good to others over what is truly pleasing to God?**

### FAQ

**Does Mark 7:8 mean all traditions are bad or that we should abandon all religious customs?**

Answer: Not necessarily. Mark 7:8 is not a blanket condemnation of all traditions, but rather a warning against traditions that either contradict or supplant the explicit commands of God. Jesus's critique is aimed at the *elevation* of human tradition *above* divine command, leading to the "laying aside" or nullification of God's word ([Mark 7:9-13](/mark/7-9-13 "Mark 7:9-13 - Nullifying God's Word")). Healthy traditions can be beneficial for order, memory, and communal identity (e.g., celebrating holidays, specific worship practices), but they must always remain subservient to Scripture and never become a substitute for genuine obedience to God's revealed will. The key is to ensure that our traditions serve God's purposes and do not become a burden or a barrier to true faith.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 7:8, with its sharp critique of human tradition eclipsing divine command, finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself embodies the perfect obedience to God's will, not merely to external laws or traditions, but from a heart fully devoted to the Father ([John 8:29](/john/8-29 "John 8:29 - Jesus Always Does What Pleases the Father")). He came not to abolish the Law, but to fulfill it ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")), demonstrating that true righteousness is an internal reality, a matter of the heart, rather than outward conformity to a legalistic system. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Christ inaugurates a new covenant where the law is written on hearts, not merely on stone tablets or in human traditions ([Hebrews 8:10](/hebrews/8-10 "Hebrews 8:10 - The New Covenant Law on Hearts")). He frees His followers from the burden of man-made rules and empty rituals, inviting them into a relationship of grace and truth. The "tradition of men" is superseded by the living reality of Christ, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")), and whose Spirit empowers genuine, heartfelt obedience that truly honors God ([Romans 8:4](/romans/8-4 "Romans 8:4 - The Righteous Requirement of the Law Fulfilled in Us")).

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

Mark 7:3

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

Mark 7:4

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

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