Matthew 15:1-11

Modern English Version

The Tradition of the Elders^(A)

15 Then scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, ² “Why do Your disciples violate the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.”

³ But He answered them, “Why do you also violate the commandment of God by your tradition? ⁴ For God commanded, ‘Honor your father and mother,’^[a] and, ‘He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him be put to death.’^{[b] 5} But you say, ‘Whoever shall say to his father or his mother, “What you would have profited from me is a gift to God,” ⁶ will be free from honoring his father or his mother.’ So you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition. ⁷ You hypocrites, Isaiah well prophesied of you, saying:

¹⁰ He called the crowds and said to them, “Hear and understand: ¹¹ That which goes into the mouth does not defile a man, but that which comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.”