English Standard Version
Mark 7:3
3(For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands properly, holding to the tradition of the elders,
Mark 7:3 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.
- New International Version (NIV)(The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders.
- New King James Version (NKJV)For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands in a special way, holding the tradition of the elders.
- New Living Translation (NLT)(The Jews, especially the Pharisees, do not eat until they have poured water over their cupped hands, as required by their ancient traditions.
Context of Mark 7:3
1Now when the Pharisees gathered to him, with some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem, 2they saw that some of his disciples ate with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands properly, holding to the tradition of the elders, 4and when they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other traditions that they observe, such as the washing of cups and pots and copper vessels and dining couches.) 5And the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, "Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?"
Read all of Mark 7Mark 7:3 word by word
οἱ γὰρ Φαρισαῖοι καὶ πάντες οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι ἐὰν μὴ πυγμῇ νίψωνται τὰς χεῖρας, οὐκ ἐσθίουσιν κρατοῦντες τὴν παράδοσιν τῶν πρεσβυτέρων·Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Forγάρgar · forG1063
- the Phariseesὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- the PhariseesΦαρισαῖοςPharisaios · PhariseeG5330
- andκαίkai · andG2532
- allπᾶςpas · allG3956
- the JewsἸουδαῖοςIoudaios · JewG2453
- exceptἐάνean · ifG1437
- exceptμήmē · notG3361
- they washνίπτωniptō · to washG3538
- handsχείρcheir · handG5495
- oftπυγμήpugmē · fistG4435
- eatἐσθίωesthiō · to eatG2068
- notοὐou · noG3756
- holdingκρατέωkrateō · to grasp/seizeG2902
- the traditionπαράδοσιςparadosis · traditionG3862
- of the eldersπρεσβύτεροςpresbuteros · elder (leader)G4245
Cross-references for Mark 7:3
- Mark 7:7in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'
- Matthew 15:2"Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat."
- Galatians 1:14And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers.
- Colossians 2:8See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.
- 1 Peter 1:18knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold,
Commentaries on Mark 7:3
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 3Except they wash their hands - ͅ, the hand to the wrist - Unless they wash the hand up to the wrist, eat not. Several translations are given of this word; that above is from Dr. Lightfoot, who quotes a tradition from the rabbins, stating that the hands were to be thus washed. This sort of washing was, and still continues to be, an act of religion in the eastern countries. It is particularly commanded in the Koran, Surat v. ver. 7, "O believers, when ye…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1-23Verses 1-23 See this passage explained in the notes at Mark 7:1 Came from Jerusalem - Probably to observe his conduct, and to find matter of accusation against him. Mark 7:2 Defiled hands - The hands were considered defiled or polluted unless they were washed previous to every meal. Mark 7:3 Except they wash their hands oft - Our word “oft” means frequently, often. The Greek wore translated oft has been rendered various ways. Some have said that it means…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 2-4Mark explains the Pharisees’ practices of ritual cleansing (ceremonial washing for religious purity) for his non-Jewish (Gentile) audience. The traditions of the elders were not yet written down at that time. The Pharisees believed these teachings had been given to Moses on Mount Sinai along with the written law. These traditions were later written down around AD 200 in the Mishnah (a collection of Jewish teachings and laws). The Mishnah is one of the…Read the comment
Topics related to Mark 7:3
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Mark 7
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Catena Aurea
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- John Lightfoot Commentary
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries