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Mark 7:4
ESV and when they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other traditions that they observe, such as the washing of cups and pots and copper vessels and dining couches.)
NIV 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.)
NASB and when they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they completely cleanse themselves; and there are many other things which they have received as traditions to firmly hold, such as the washing of cups, pitchers, and copper pots.)
CSB When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they have washed. And there are many other customs they have received and keep, like the washing of cups, pitchers, kettles, and dining couches. )
NLT Similarly, they don’t eat anything from the market until they immerse their hands in water. This is but one of many traditions they have clung to — such as their ceremonial washing of cups, pitchers, and kettles. )
KJV And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables.

What does Mark 7:4 mean?

This is a continuation of Mark's parenthetical comment to explain Jewish tradition to his Gentile readers. The Mosaic Law demands that when priests or Levites enter the tabernacle, they must wash their hands and feet (Exodus 30:17–21). The Jewish religious leaders twist this law into a rule that all Jews should wash their hands before they eat for fear of defiling their food, and thus themselves. Mark explains that in addition to washing their hands before they eat, they also clean the implements used in the meal.

This washing is a bit different, however. In Mark 7:3, the Pharisees are described as "properly" washing their hands. The Greek describes a process by which they pour water so that their hands are rinsed at least up to the wrist. Here, the Greek root word is rhantizo which means to purify by sprinkling, emphasizing the ceremonial aspect of the tradition.

The phrase about washing after going to the marketplace can be interpreted in one of two ways: either the Jewish leaders fear they may touch something unclean and need to wash their hands, or they wash their food after purchasing it. Regardless, they believe that if the food is at all defiled, they will become unclean as well.

The Pharisees and scribes, despite their expertise in the Law and their utter devotion to following it, miss what "being clean" means. They follow a tradition based on what they can see in the physical world (Colossians 2:8) instead of understanding that true spiritual cleanness comes from within (Mark 7:14–23).
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