³⁸ But the Pharisee was surprised when he noticed that Jesus did not first wash before the meal.^(A)

² “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat!”^(A)

³ Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?

² and saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were defiled,^(A) that is, unwashed. ³ (The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders.^{(B) 4} When they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and kettles.^[a])^(C)

⁵ So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, “Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders^(D) instead of eating their food with defiled hands?”

²⁵ An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing.^(A)