Mark 7:5

“Then the Pharisees and Scribes asked him, etc..] Not the disciples, but Christ himself; for their chief view was to find fault, and quarrel with him: why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with unwashen hands? or “with common”, that is, defiled “hands”, as in (<410702>Mark 7:2). So the words are read in Beza's most ancient copy, and in one of Stephens's copies, and in the Vulgate Latin version. The word “common” is used for that which is unclean or unholy, (<441014>Acts 10:14,28 <451414> Romans 14:14 <581029>Hebrews 10:29), and so signifies unwashen hands, as we read, and render it: besides, “common hands” may have some respect to the hands of the common…”

“See this passage explained in the notes at Matthew 15:1-20. 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 “up to the wrist” - unless they wash their hands up to the wrist. Others have said up to the elbow.” There is evidence that the Pharisees had some such foolish rule as this about washing, and it is likely that they practiced it…”

“The tradition of the elders - The rule delivered down from your forefathers. Mark 7:6”

“7:5 Since the Pharisees believed that their oral traditions were given to Moses as part of God’s divine revelation, they asked Jesus why his disciples did not keep them. After all, teachers were responsible for the behavior of their disciples (see 2:24).”

“Mar 2:16-18; Mat 15:2; Act 21:21, Act 21:24; Rom 4:12; Th2 3:6, Th2 3:11 Mark 7:6”