Mark 7:9

“And he said unto them, etc..] He continued his discourse, saying, full well, or “fairly”, ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition: these words may be considered, as spoken ironically, thus; as pious and excellently good men, you in a very fair and handsome manner, reject and make void the commandments and laws of God; and it is very fit it should be so, in order to preserve your own traditions, that nothing may be wanting to keep up the honour of them, and a due regard to them. The Arabic version reads the words by way of interrogation, “is it fit that you should omit the commandments of God, and keep your own statutes?” and so the Ethiopic, “do ye rightly make…”

“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…”

“7:9-13 Next, Jesus provides an instance where the Pharisees’ traditions contradicted God’s law and allowed them to sidestep its requirements.”

“Full: Kg2 16:10-16; Isa 24:5, Isa 29:13; Jer 44:16, Jer 44:17; Dan 7:25, Dan 11:36; Mat 15:3-6; Th2 2:4 reject: or, frustrate, Mar 7:13; Psa 119:126; Rom 3:31; Gal 2:21 Mark 7:10”