Ελληνικό Site“You Hypocrites”
When certain scribes of the Pharisees asked Jesus why his disciples transgressed the tradition of the elders, Jesus responded sharply.
Mark 7:1-9; Matthew 15:1-9
- A matter of custom, not hygiene (v. 2-4). The tradition, less than 200 years old, was still developing in the teachings of Hillel and Shammai when this question was brought to Jesus.
- Edersheim (Life and Times of Jesus The MESSIAH, page 545) astutely remarks that Jews upset with the 12 apostles who ate without ceremonial washing would really be upset over the more than 5,000 who thus ate on the previous evening!
- Did Jesus sanction this violation of tradition? If he did, then he, too, is guilty. If guilty, then he cannot be the messiah. Perhaps this explains the bluntness of his reply.
- Isaiah 29:13. Hypocrites elevate human tradition and ignore Scripture. What is important to you?
- Herod executed John the Baptist to keep a vow. Jesus condemns those who keep vows and break commandments.
- When tradition is more important than scripture, our worship is vain.
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Mark 7:1-9
1Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem.
2And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault.
3For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.
4And 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.
5Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?
6He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.
7Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
8For 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.
9And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.
Matthew 15:1-9
1Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying,
2Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.
3But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?
4For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.
5But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;
6And 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.
7Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,
8This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
9But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Isaiah 29:13
13Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: