Gospel according to Matthew

Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem, saying,

"Why do your disciples disobey the tradition of the elders? For they don't wash their hands when they eat bread."

He answered them, "Why do you also disobey the commandment of God because of your tradition?

For God commanded, 'Honor your father and your mother,' and, 'He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him be put to death.'

But you say, 'Whoever may tell his father or his mother, "Whatever help you might otherwise have gotten from me is a gift devoted to God,"

he shall not honor his father or mother.' You have made the commandment of God void because of your tradition.

You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying,

'These people draw near to me with their mouth, And honor me with their lips; But their heart is far from me.

And in vain do they worship me, Teaching as doctrine rules made by men.'"

He summoned the multitude, and said to them, "Hear, and understand.

That which enters into the mouth doesn't defile the man; but that which proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man."

Then the disciples came, and said to him, "Do you know that the Pharisees were offended, when they heard this saying?"

But he answered, "Every plant which my heavenly Father didn't plant will be uprooted.

Leave them alone. They are blind guides of the blind. If the blind guide the blind, both will fall into a pit."

Peter answered him, "Explain the parable to us."

So Jesus said, "Do you also still not understand?