Devine Scripture

Mark 7:5

What does Mark 7:5 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 7:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 7:5 means

The Pharisees and scribes directly confront Jesus: why do his disciples break the tradition of the elders by eating with unwashed hands? Their question challenges Jesus' authority and suggests that his movement teaches neglect of established interpretations. It’s a test—if Jesus supports his disciples, he opposes the elders; if he rebukes them, he loses his followers. Their tone is accusatory, pressuring Jesus to align with the societal-religious norms that define acceptable piety.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And the Pharisees and the scribes ask him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with defiled hands?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And the Pharisees and the scribes ask him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with defiled hands?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And the Pharisees and the scribes put the question to him, Why do your disciples not keep the rules of the fathers, but take their bread with unwashed hands?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Then question him do the Pharisees and the scribes, `Wherefore do thy disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but with unwashed hands do eat the bread?'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And the Pharisees and scribes asked him: Why do not thy disciples walk according to the tradition of the ancients, but they eat bread with common hands?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

then the Pharisees and the scribes ask him, Why do thy disciples not walk according to what has been delivered by the ancients, but eat the bread with defiled hands?

Context

This verse brings the complaint into the open as a formal question to Jesus. It forces him to address the tension between human tradition and divine command. What follows is Jesus’ pointed citation of Isaiah and a critique of religious hypocrisy, moving the issue from ritual observance to the state of the heart.

v.4and when they come from the marketplace, except they bathe themselves, they eat not; and many other things there are, which they have received to hold, washings of cups, and pots, and brasen vessels.)

v.5This passage

v.6And he said unto them, Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoreth me with their lips, But their heart is far from me.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Galatians 1:14

    and I advanced in the Jews’ religion beyond many of mine own age among my countrymen, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.

  • 2 Thessalonians 3:6

    Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which they received of us.

  • Matthew 15:2

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

  • Romans 4:12

    and the father of circumcision to them who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham which he had in uncircumcision.

  • Mark 2:16

    And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with the sinners and publicans, said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?

  • Acts 21:21

    and they have been informed concerning thee, that thou teachest all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.

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