Matthew 15:1-3a, 7-9, 3b-6, 10-20

Mark 7:1-15, 17-23

John 7:1

1Then the scribes and Pharisees from Jerusalem came to Jesus and said,

1Now the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem were gathered around Jesus. 2When they saw some of his disciples eating bread with hands that were defiled (that is, unwashed), they criticized them. 3(For none of the Pharisees or Jews 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 have washed. There are also many other traditions they observe, such as the washing of cups, pots, copper vessels, and dining couches.)

1After this Jesus went from place to place in Galilee, for he did not want to travel around in Judea because the Jews were seeking to kill him.

2“Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.” 3aHe answered them,

5Now the Pharisees and the scribes asked Jesus, “Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?”

7Hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied rightly about you when he said, 8‘This people draws near to me with their mouthand honors me with their lips,but their heart is far from me. 9They worship me in vain,teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ ”

6He answered them, “Isaiah prophesied rightly about you hypocrites, as it is written,‘This people honors me with their lips,but their heart is far from me. 7They worship me in vain,teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ 8For you have neglected the commandment of God and are holding to the tradition of men, such as various washings of pots and cups. And you do many other similar things such as these.”

3b“And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? 4For God commanded, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Whoever speaks evil of his father or mother must surely die.’ 5But you say, ‘If anyone says to his father or mother, “Whatever benefit you might have received from me is a gift to God,” then he certainly need not honor his father or his mother.’ 6You have nullified the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition.

9Then he said to them, “You have a fine way of setting aside the commandment of God so that you may keep your tradition! 10For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Whoever speaks evil of his father or mother must surely die.’ 11But you teach that it is acceptable for a man to say to his father or mother, ‘Whatever benefit you might have received from me is Corban’ ” (that is, a gift to God). 12“In this way you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or his mother, 13thus nullifying the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many similar things such as these.”

10Then Jesus called the crowd over and said to them, “Listen and understand: 11It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person; it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles a person.” 12Then his disciples came and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this statement?” 13Jesus answered, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. 14Leave them be; they are blind guides of the blind. And if one blind person guides another, both will fall into a pit.”

14Then Jesus called over the entire crowd and said to them, “Listen to me, all of you, and understand: 15There is nothing outside of a person that can defile him by going into him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him.

15Then Peter said to him in response, “Explain this parable to us.” 16Jesus said, “Are you also still without understanding? 17Do you not yet understand that everything that goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled into the latrine? 18But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these defile a person.

17After Jesus had left the crowd and gone into a house, his disciples asked him about the parable. 18He said to them, “So are you also without understanding? Do you not understand that whatever goes into a person from the outside cannot defile him? 19For it does not go into his heart but into his stomach; then it goes out into the latrine, thus purifying all foods.” 20He also said, “It is what comes out of a person that defiles a person.

19For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false testimony, and slander. 20These are what defile a person, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a person.”

21For from within, from the hearts of men, come evil thoughts, adultery, fornication, murder, 22theft, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. 23All these evil things come from within and defile a person.”