7:3 wash. By their tradition, the Pharisees extended the biblical injunctions for priestly washing at the moment of temple sacrifice (Ex. 30:19; 40:12) to the eating of bread by all Jews.

tradition of the elders. The Pharisees believed that in addition to the written words of the law, Moses received instructions for its interpretation and application. This oral law was passed on by word of mouth from teacher to teacher. In His arguments with them, Jesus consistently appeals to Scripture and always seeks to get back to its true meaning (vv. 6–8).