Teaching

“Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They do not wash their hands before they eat.”

Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?

he need not honor his father or mother with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition.

Now in holding to the tradition of the elders, the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat until they wash their hands ceremonially.

So the Pharisees and scribes questioned Jesus: “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders? Instead, they eat with defiled hands.”

You have disregarded the commandment of God to keep the tradition of men.”

He went on to say, “You neatly set aside the command of God to maintain your own tradition.

Thus you nullify the word of God by the tradition you have handed down. And you do so in many such matters.”

Now I commend you for remembering me in everything and for maintaining the traditions, just as I passed them on to you.

I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers.

See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ.

Therefore, brothers, stand firm and cling to the traditions we taught you, whether by speech or by letter.

Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from any brother who leads an undisciplined life that is not in keeping with the tradition you received from us.