Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?” (v.5)
Here in chapter 7 Jesus is asked by the Pharisees and the scribes, “Why do Your disciples eat with unwashed hands?” This was asked to find fault with them (His disciples), for the Pharisees and the Jews did not eat unless they washed their hands in a special way (tradition). This prescribed washing was not for hygienic purposes (as we think of washing) but ceremonial, to meet mans standards of pious cleanliness.
This was just one example of the Pharisees and scribes teaching as doctrine their own commandments and ignoring the commandments of God. Thus their traditions, added a yoke of bondage on the people never intended by God.
Jesus then answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: 'This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' He spoke strongly because these leaders were far too concerned with trivial matters like ritual washing. When they focused on these trivial traditions, they excluded everyone who didn’t keep the traditions, and so they discouraged them from coming to God. Therefore, God said of them their heart is far from Me.
Many people today give that same appearance of being religious or spiritual just like the scribes and the Pharisees in our text. And just like them are actually far from God. They are playing the hypocrite, because the image they promote is more important to them than what they actually are.
Then Jesus said to those standing near by, “Hear Me, everyone, and understand: There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!” (vv.14-16) Meaning, we are defiled from the inside out rather than from the outside in, and this is particularly true of ceremonial things like foods. God is far more concerned with what comes out of us than what goes into us. This is especially true when it comes to foods, traditions and rituals.
Although it may not seem so now, this passage, when it was first spoken, was the most revolutionary passage in the New Testament liberating many from the rituals and trivial traditions of man.
The Truth: “Do not add to His words Or He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar. Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.” (Proverbs 30:5-6)
