1. The Pharisees gathered around Jesus. So did some of the teachers of the law. All of them had come from Jerusalem.
2. They saw some of his disciples eating food with "unclean" hands. That means they were not washed.
3. The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands to make them pure. That's what the elders teach.
4. When they come from the market place, they do not eat unless they wash. And they follow many other teachings. For example, they wash cups, pitchers, and kettles in a special way.
5. So the Pharisees and the teachers of the law questioned Jesus. "Why don't your disciples live by what the elders teach?" they asked. "Why do they eat their food with 'unclean' hands?"
6. He replied, "Isaiah was right. He prophesied about you people who pretend to be good. He said, " 'These people honor me by what they say. But their hearts are far away from me.