JESUS VERSUS RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS

Matthew 15:1-9New King James Version (NKJV)

Defilement Comes from Within

15 Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying,  2 “Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.”

3 He answered and said to them, “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?  4 For God commanded, saying, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; [a] and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’[b]  5 But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God”—  6 then he need not honor his father or mother.’[c] Thus you have made the commandment[d] of God of no effect by your tradition.  7 Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying:

8 
‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth,
And[e] honor Me with their lips,
But their heart is far from Me.

9 
And in vain they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ ”[f]

Footnotes:
a.Matthew 15:4 Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16
b.Matthew 15:4 Exodus 21:17
c.Matthew 15:6 NU-Text omits or mother.
d.Matthew 15:6 NU-Text reads word.
e.Matthew 15:8 NU-Text omits draw near to Me with their mouth, And.
f.Matthew 15:9 Isaiah 29:13