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The Gospel of Mark Chapter 7: 1. Form of Godliness 1 - 9 (2 Tim. 3: 5) 7.1. Now the Pharisees and some of the experts in the law who came from Jerusalem gathered around him. The fame of Jesus had spread as far as Jerusalem and the reports of His teaching more than His miracles disturbed the chief priest and the religious rulers. So they sent a contingency of Pharisees who represented the Law and laid great stress not on the righteousness of an action but upon its ritualistic correction. They also sent the Scribes who were teachers of the Law to find out exactly what was happening. They did not come with open hearts or minds for they had already judged the Lord and so came with a criticising spirit. A criticising spirit can be an hindrance to the church and the work of God and has been the downfall of many a righteous man (2 Cor. 8: 20, Acts 11: 2 - 3). 7.2. And they saw that some of Jesus' disciples ate their bread with unclean hands, that is, unwashed. That is why these spies, for that is what they were, when they saw Jesus' disciples eating without washing their hands they criticized them in order to get at Jesus. For if He allowed them to do this kind of thing as their master then He must do the same. 7.3 - 4. (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they perform a ritual washing, holding fast to the tradition of the elders. And when they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. They hold fast to many other traditions: the washing of cups, pots, kettles, and dining couches.) They expected everybody to do the same as they did according to the rules and regulations that were additions to the Law of God that had been handed done by their forefathers. It was not for hygienic reasons they washed their hands or the other items mentioned for it had to be done in a special way with ceremony and that is all it was, ceremonial.