This coming Sunday is the 22nd Sunday. So the Pharisees and scribes questioned him, “Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders but instead eat a meal with unclean hands?”

In Mark 6:34 and following, Mark represents Jesus as the true shepherd of Israel. One easily hears the echo of Ezekiel 34:10 in which God promises that he himself will shepherd: “Thus says the Lord GOD: Look! I am coming against these shepherds. I will take my sheep out of their hand and put a stop to their shepherding my flock, so that these shepherds will no longer pasture them. I will deliver my flock from their mouths so it will not become their food.” While this passage is normally considered in the context of the kings of Israel and Judah, in the post-Exile period the “shepherding” of the people to the Covenant became the responsibility of the religious leaders of the nation.

In the question the Pharisees and scribes take as a given the tradition/understanding of the requirements of the Torah and mitzvot. They are not only questioning Jesus’ adherence to the accepted traditions and understanding, but they are questioning his leadership. The logic is that if Jesus does not teach his disciples even the most basic practices of piety, he cannot be an orthodox or acceptable religious teacher. The litmus test is the accepted tradition and the understanding surrounding it. In addition, their question seeks to embarrass Jesus in front of the crowds and thus undermine his authority as a teacher.

Jesus Answers. 6 He responded, “Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; 7 In vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts.’ 8 You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition.”… 

One should immediately notice that Jesus does not respond to the specifics of the question posed. He responds to their intention and as well their competence for religious leadership. Jesus’ response provides reasoning for rejecting the human traditions that are imposed upon people as an authentic interpretation of the Law. Only the first part appears in the Sunday gospel reading. Jesus first challenges the “elders” with a quotation from Isaiah (vv. 6–7; Isa 29:13) that castigates the people because they substitute human teaching for true devotion to God. The quotation introduces the distinction between outward piety and devotion to God in one’s heart. What is “in the heart” forms the basis for the teaching that follows the exchange between Jesus and his enemies. Jesus substitutes a new understanding of purity.

The second and third part of Jesus’ response is contained in verses not part of the Sunday Gospel: “8 You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition.” 9 He went on to say, “How well you have set aside the commandment of God in order to uphold your tradition! 10 For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and ‘Whoever curses father or mother shall die.’ 11 Yet you say, ‘If a person says to father or mother, “Any support you might have had from me is qorban”’ (meaning, dedicated to God), 12 you allow him to do nothing more for his father or mother. 13 You nullify the word of God in favor of your tradition that you have handed on. And you do many such things.”

Each citation of scripture is introduced with the charge that the questioners fulfill or set aside its words in an excellent way – “how well” (kalōs; vv. 6, 9). The word that they should keep, “Honor your father and your mother,” instead they set aside. The one they should avoid, teaching human traditions with a heart far from God (v.7) they fulfill. A similar argument is extended into the discussion on qorban – that is dedicated to the Temple. The argument being made is that Pharisees are making a human vow of dedication as superior to the commandment of God.

The last verse (v.13) moves from these specific cases to the general practice of teaching such traditions. A progression of verbs indicates the disastrous effect of such teaching. The opponents are said to progressively “disregard God’s commandment” (v.8), “set aside the commandment” (v.9), and finally “nullify the word of God” (v.13). This generalization removes the discussion from the question concerning particular traditions. It rejects all such heartless interpretation as opposed to the word of God.

Image credit: The Pharisees Question Jesus | James Tissot | Brooklyn Museum | PD-US