1 Now when the Pharisees gathered to him, with some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem, 2 they saw that some of his disciples ate with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. 3 (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands properly, holding to the tradition of the elders, 4 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.) 5 And the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, "Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?"

You have Pharisees and scribes in the story -- people who immersed themselves in Scripture, but then made their interpretations of the Scripture more important than the Scripture. They saw that some of Jesus' disciples ate with defiled or unwashed hands (2). Mark helps us understand this wasn't lousy hygiene on the disciples' part. Instead, they were not complying with all the ceremonial washings the Pharisees practiced.

Being Clean: Mankind's Utmost Issue

This passage has much to do with life today. Whether people know it or not, whether they look to God or not, they strive for cleanness. There is a universal sense we are unclean. Shame. Guilt. A feeling that we do not measure up.

Could it be that our collective desire to be clean -- and all the contradictory avenues we pursue in our attempts to become clean -- stem from our brokenness before God?

Romans 3:23 (ESV) — 23 All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Cleanness Does Not Come By Human Effort

Because God is holy, human cleanness cannot come by human effort. The Pharisees and scribes had thought they could keep God's law, and improve on God's law, which would lead to their cleanness. They produced elaborate washing ceremonies to demonstrate their cleanness. They thought something they did on the outside could make them clean on the inside.

But cleanness does not come by human effort, it comes from God. It comes to the heart. It must penetrate the heart. Only then can it be truly evidenced on the outside.

6 And he said to them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, "'This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; 7 in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' 8 You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men."

So Jesus confronted these religious leaders head-on. He quotes from the prophet Isaiah, a man who had hypocrites in his own day (6). Jesus applied Isaiah's words to the scribes and Pharisees. They honored God with their lips, but their hearts were far from God (6). They took the commandment of God and used it to make commandments and traditions of men, which caused them to leave God's word (8).

Did Jesus have an example of their departure from God's word in mind? Yes.

9 And he said to them, "You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition! 10 For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and, 'Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.' 11 But you say, 'If a man tells his father or his mother, "Whatever you would have gained from me is Corban"' (that is, given to God)— 12 then you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or mother, 13 thus making void the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And many such things you do."

They hadn't only voided peripheral commands in God's word, but one of the ten commandments (13). The fifth commandment was to honor father and mother (10, Exodus 20:12). To dishonor or revile your parents was worthy of death (10, Exodus 21:17).

Well, they created the practice or teaching of "Corban" (11). It comes from the Hebrew word for "offering" or "gift devoted to God." So children could dedicate their possessions to God and use it as an excuse to neglect their parents.

Human Efforts For Cleanness Produce Hypocrisy.

This is but one example of their twisting of Scripture. This is why Jesus called them hypocrites (6). If they had truly wanted to honor God from their hearts, they would have obeyed the fifth commandment (6).

But human efforts for cleanness produce hypocrisy. Why? Because we can't really change ourselves, because the problem is with the heart. So we have to lower the bar somehow, yet keep the appearance that we are righteous.

We must be on guard against this same dangerous spirit today. Our flesh craves the loophole.

But why do we often look for the loophole? Why did the Pharisees create a cheap and counterfeit path to cleanness? Why did they invent easy ways to appear clean? Let's read on:

14 And he called the people to him again and said to them, "Hear me, all of you, and understand: 15 There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him. 16 [in some manuscripts] If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear." 17 And when he had entered the house and left the people, his disciples asked him about the parable.

The things that come out of a person are what defile him (15). This was revolutionary talk. Theirs was a culture steeped in customs and ceremonies. They constantly worried about ceremonial defilement and created a complex set of rules to protect themselves from that outward uncleanness. So Jesus' words rattled the disciples. When they went into the house, they asked Jesus about the teaching (17).

18 And he said to them, "Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, 19 since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?" (Thus he declared all foods clean.) 20 And he said, "What comes out of a person is what defiles him. 21 For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22 coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person."

Because The Human Heart Is Corrupt.

Jesus' point to the disciples was that nothing from the outside-in could produce uncleanness, because uncleanness is a matter of the heart. The heart of man is what produces all manner of evil and wickedness (21-23).

Jeremiah 17:9 (ESV) — 9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?

Cleanness Comes From Christ's Effort.

Now, if this were the end of the story, mankind would be in serious trouble -- a world filled with broken hearts. Those hearts then lead us to a massive list of hurtful activities.

And this helps us understand the brokenness in our world. Every nation, people group, political party, and educational system is populated by broken people. Even the best-laid plans and philosophies are tainted by the sinful hearts of humanity.

This is a major difference in the Christian's worldview. We know mankind is not basically good, but that evil is bound up within our hearts.

But we also know there is hope. Though we cannot make ourselves clean, Jesus Christ can make us clean by his blood.

Ephesians 1:7 (ESV) — 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace...

And for those who believe in Jesus, the path forward is clear:

• We get newness of life with him (Romans 6:4).
• We become new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17).
• We gain a new self we are to live out every day (Colossians 3:10).
• And this new self has been made in the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 2:24).
• God had said he would give his people new hearts (Ezekiel 36:26). In Christ, he has done the work! Believe in him!

So We Must Be Born Again And Pursue Sanctification.

This remade heart requires a new birth. This is why Jesus said, "Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3).

And this new birth allows you to pursue an altogether different type of human experience.

• He said the sinful heart produces sexual immorality (21). It is a broad word that covers premarital, extramarital, and unnatural sexual behavior. Any sexual practice outside marriage between a man and woman is implied by this phrase. But when Jesus changes your heart, he turns sexual immorality into the utmost reverence and respect for his design for a man and woman.
• He said the sinful heart produces theft (21). Before Jesus changes our hearts, we are bound to take from another what is not ours. We cut corners. We are lazy at work. We cheat on exams. We refuse to give to God. But when Jesus changes your heart, he turns theft into generosity and diligence and contentment.
• He said the sinful heart produces murder (21). It takes the life of the innocent. It kills the baby in the womb. It mimics Cain by jealously murdering our fellow man, our brother. It destroys others through hatred. But when Jesus changes your heart, you begin to build up the life of others, placing them above yourself and your desires.
• He said the sinful heart produces adultery (21). Violating the marriage covenant is the breaking of the seventh commandment (Exodus 20:14). Every heart is capable of causing such long-term pain in exchange for short-term pleasure. But when Jesus changes your heart, you see marriage as honorable, self-control becomes your experience, and you learn you are blessed to only enjoy the spouse of your youth (Proverbs 5:18).
• He said the sinful heart produces coveting (22). This is a desire for more at the expense or exploitation of another. It is a violation of the tenth commandment (Exodus 20:17). But when Jesus changes your heart, you become content with what you have, and you rejoice for those who have more than you.
• He said the sinful heart produces wickedness (22). These are schemes and plans that are deliberately evil. These are not accidents. There's no confusion. The intent is evil. But when Jesus changes your heart, you begin to plan and plot for good. You begin designing a life that can bless others, scheming for righteousness.
• He said the sinful heart produces deceit (22). Our society is drowning in lies. The human heart is prone to deceive. All-day long, even the best intentions are diluted with half-truths and less than the whole story. But when Jesus changes your heart, honesty fills your life, and you no longer need to cunningly deceive to get your way in life.
• He said the sinful heart produces sensuality (22). This is a life that casts off all restraint and follows the impulses to addictive behaviors. Mindless consumption of video games. Drunkenness. Binge eating. Whatever feels good. But when Jesus changes your heart, you begin to grow sensitive to spiritual things and realize sensual behavior harms your walk with God.
• He said the sinful heart produces envy (22). This has to do with the eye. You see something in another you don't like. You hate the good or the position or the success of another. But when Jesus changes your heart, you begin to celebrate what God is doing in and for those around you.
• He said the sinful heart produces slander (22). Describing slander to our culture is like trying to describe water to a fish. We swim in this stuff. It is all around us. So it's hard for us to see how life could be any different. But when Jesus changes your heart, you begin, ever increasingly, to praise others and rejoice at the image of God you see in them.
• He said the sinful heart produces pride (22). This is the evil tendency of seeing oneself as better, more able, or greater than someone else. This is a universal trait of the natural human heart. Though often disguised in false-modesty, it is arrogance. But when Jesus changes your heart, you begin walking with humility. Everything you have, everything you are, is seen as a gift from your benevolent Father in heaven.
• He said the sinful heart produces foolishness (22). This is a spiritual insensitivity, so the platitudes, morals, and views of the unconverted heart can not be trusted. They are built on unstable ground. But when Jesus changes your heart, you begin pressing into his word and learning the way God sees things. Soon, foolishness is replaced with the wisdom of God.

Back To The Question At Hand

Back to the question at hand. The religionists asked, "Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?" (6).

Jesus' answer?

• Because unwashed hands cannot defile them.
• Because the commandments of men cannot cleanse them.
• And because it is their hearts which must become clean.
• And I will make them clean by dying in their place and rising from the grave. If they believe in me, new hearts will be theirs, and then they will be clean. Truly clean. Actually clean. Really clean. By my blood.