Mark 7:2-4

Contemporary English Version

²They noticed that some of his disciples ate without first washing their hands.^[a]

³The Pharisees and many others obey the teachings of their ancestors. They always wash their hands in the proper way^[b] before eating. ⁴None of them will eat anything they buy in the market until it is washed. They also follow a lot of other teachings, such as washing cups, pitchers, and bowls.^[c]

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Footnotes

7.2 without first washing their hands: The Jewish people had strict laws about washing their hands before eating, especially if they had been out in public.
7.3 in the proper way: The Greek text has “with the fist,” but the exact meaning is not clear. It could mean “to the wrist” or “to the elbow.”
7.4 bowls: Some manuscripts add “and sleeping mats.”