² “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat!”^(A)

² and saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were defiled,^(A) that is, unwashed. ³ (The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders.^{(B) 4} When they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and kettles.^[a])^(C)

⁵ So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, “Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders^(D) instead of eating their food with defiled hands?”

⁸ You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.”^(A)

⁹ And he continued, “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe^[a] your own traditions!^(A)

³⁸ But the Pharisee was surprised when he noticed that Jesus did not first wash before the meal.^(A)