Mark 7:3

Except they wash. See on v. 2.

Oft. Gr. pugmē, literally, “fist”; in the form here used, “with the fist.” It has been suggested that pugmē may here mean “with a fist full [of water].” Textual evidence may also be cited (cf. p. 146) for the reading pukna, meaning “vigorously,” “diligently,” or “frequently.”

Tradition. Gr. paradosis, literally “a giving up,” or “a giving over”; hence, “a tradition,” which is given over to someone by word of mouth or by writing. As used in the Gospels paradosis refers to the massive body of oral, rabbinical regulations that had grown up around the Torah (see on Deut. 31:9; Prov. 3:1). The traditions of the rabbis were the specific target of Jesus’ attacks upon the Jewish religious system of His day. The English word “tradition” means “that which is handed down [that is, from teacher to pupil, or from generation to generation].”

In process of time this oral tradition, originally intended to protect the written law of the OT, came to be considered more sacred than the law itself. Presumably, by a mechanical obedience to the requirements of oral tradition, a person would automatically be keeping the written law, including the Ten Commandments. In other words, if a person complied with the letter of the traditional interpretation of the law, he need not concern himself with the spirit of the written law. This legalistic system reduced religion to a matter of form and banished the spirit of true worship and obedience, without which a man serves God in vain (see John 4:23, 24; cf. Mark 7:7). A system of righteousness obtained by the “works” of the law superseded the plan of salvation, through which God designed that men should attain unto the righteousness which is by faith (see Rom. 9:31, 32; 10:3).

Christ sought to restore all God’s revealed instructions to their rightful place in the thinking and living of His people. He sought to accord the words of God priority over the words of men. He sought to do away with mere outward forms of religion and to cultivate the true spirit of religion in the heart.

Elders. That is, the older rabbis or expositors of the law.