³⁸ The Pharisee was astonished to see ^(A)that he did not first wash before dinner.

² they saw that some of his disciples ate with hands that were ^(A)defiled, that is, unwashed. ³ (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands properly,^[a] holding to ^(B)the tradition of ^(C)the elders, ⁴ and when they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash.^[b] And there are many other traditions that they observe, such as ^(D)the washing of ^(E)cups and pots and copper vessels and dining couches.^[c]) ⁵ And the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why do your disciples not walk according to ^(F)the tradition of ^(G)the elders, ^(H)but eat with ^(I)defiled hands?”

^2 (A)“Why do your disciples break ^(B)the tradition of the elders? ^(C)For they do not wash their hands when they eat.” ³ He answered them, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?

²⁵ Now a discussion arose between some of John's disciples and a Jew over ^(A)purification.