“Why do your disciples disobey the tradition of the elders? For they don’t wash their hands when they eat bread.”
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 2. Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition. The Pharisees had various traditions delivered down from their ancestors, called δευτερωσεις, of which some were works of supererogation, others were contrary to the law. E.—It is a great proof of malice in the Pharisees, and of irreproachable character in our Lord, that they should be reduce to notice triffles, no ways connected with either piety or religion … They moreover betrayed their superstition, by insisting on the observance of these outward ceremonies, as essential parts of piety, which were not commanded by any law, (were certainly of no divine origin) and which, at most, were duties of civility, or emblems of interior purity. Jans.—The tradition of the ancients? They do not say the written law, which did not prescribe these washings of hands, cups, pots, beds, and so forth These traditions came only from the doctors of their law, who are called elders, which is a name of dignity, as was that of senator among the Romans, and so, in English, are the names of major, alderman, and so forth See Acts 5:6. and so forth Witham.