Mark 7:8Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Without this discernment, our devotion to God risks falling under the same reproach that the Lord directed at the Pharisees and scribes of the Jews who adhered to the traditions of their elders: “They honour me in vain, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” Questions may arise regarding how to safeguard oneself against this reproach and how to evaluate traditions to discern the trustworthy from the questionable. The most dependable standard for this can be found in the Lord’s saying previously cited. Examine tradition against the Word of God and His commandments. If any tradition contradicts the Word of God or prompts you to violate His commandments, it is a human tradition and not of divine origin, and thus, clinging to such a tradition would be ‘in vain’, while transgressing God's command would lead to condemnation.

Further guidance on evaluating traditions can be drawn from the apostolic exhortation of St. Paul to Timothy: “that you may learn how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the Church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth” (1 Tim. 3:15). Since the Church is the bulwark of truth, it serves as the source to seek and verify the truth, particularly concerning the traditions entrusted to her as the faithful custodian. Upon receiving tradition from the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church, “stand firm” in it, remain unaffected by baseless doubts, and “hold fast” to it with the intention of pleasing God. The Apostle instructs us, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful, and let us not neglect our meeting together” (Hebrews 10:23-25). Take note, dear brethren, that even in Apostolic times, there were those who neglected the assembly of the Universal Church, so do not be surprised if this unfortunate practice persists today. If such individuals present their traditions, be aware that those who have abandoned the Church, “the pillar and foundation of the truth” (1 Tim. 3:15), are likely to offer you traditions that are either false, corrupted, or at best, borrowed and lacking divine blessing; these false traditions cannot save, the damaged cannot heal, the stolen cannot enrich, and the unblessed cannot bestow grace.

Let us exalt God, dear brethren, for granting us the privilege to be children and members of the true and holy Church, wherein the genuine and sacred tradition encompasses not only the visible expressions of doctrine, rules, and rites, but also the invisible, authentic teaching of grace and sanctification, which descends from heaven, “like the dew of Hermon that descends upon the mountains of Zion,” flowing perpetually and abundantly, and sanctifying the priesthood and priestly actions, “like precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, running down on the collar of his robes” (Psalm 132:2-3). Just as the Apostles, anointed by the Holy Spirit, bestow the same spiritual peace upon the Holy Fathers, these successors through the ages impart consecration to the temples and sacraments, and in turn, the temples and sacraments grant sanctification to the Saints. Therefore, when you encounter the sacred place, know that you touch the very grace that was lavished during the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles. May we hold steadfastly to this pure and vibrant Source. As obedient children, with diligence and love, may we receive from the mouth and hands of our Orthodox Church’s Mother the genuine doctrine of faith and life, true sanctification through grace, and faithful guidance toward eternal life. Amen.

In response to the Pharisees, the dialogue between Christ and the Pharisees regarding the traditions of the elders is accurately conveyed by the Evangelists. Mark, who directed his Gospel to Roman believers unfamiliar with Jewish practices, provides certain clarifications. He explains what it means to partake of bread with unclean hands, offering a detailed account of the Pharisaical customs around ritual purification. Matthew, in his account, provides a particular response from the Lord regarding the news that the Pharisees were offended by His remarks on the elders' betrayal before requesting the disciples to explain the parable.

The responses of Christ and the explanation of the parable, as per Mark, occurred within a private setting among the disciples. Variations in the Evangelists’ accounts stem mainly from the sequencing of Christ's statements directed at the Pharisees. When the Pharisees criticized Jesus’ disciples for neglecting the traditions of the elders by not washing their hands prior to eating, Christ articulated that the elders' traditions often amounted to mere human inventions designed to evade God's commandments. For instance, the law commands respect for one’s father and mother, with the dire consequence of death for disrespect (Ex. 20:12; Ex. 21:17). The Pharisees, however, taught that one could declare their support to God—through a korban, an offering to the temple—thus releasing themselves from their obligation to honor and assist their parents (Matt. 3-6).

In this interaction, Christ emphasized the supremacy of God's commands over human traditions and pointed out that the overly meticulous adherence to bodily regulations fulfilled what the prophet Isaiah declared about His contemporaries (Isaiah 29:13 in the LXX) (Matt. 7-8). Mark presents these two ideas in reverse order within his narrative (9-13; 6-8).

How fittingly Isaiah described you when he said, ‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me; they worship Me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.’ They disregard His commandments to follow their own, mistakenly believing that such actions can win God’s favor, and they futilely transmit this false understanding to others.