RLDS Verse Context

Intro: What defileth a man -- The Syrophoenician woman's child healed.

1 Then came together unto him, the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem.

2 And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled (that is to say with unwashen) hands, they found fault.

3 For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash hands oft, eat not; holding the tradition of the elders.

4 And when they come from the market, except they wash their bodies, they eat not.

5 And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brazen vessels, and of tables.

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

7 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Isaiah prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written This people honoreth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit, in vain do they worship me, teaching the doctrines and commandments of men.

8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men; the washing of pots and of cups; and many other such like things ye do.

9 And he said unto them, Yea, altogether ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.

10 Full will is it written of you, by the prophets whom ye have rejected.