The “tradition of the elders” reflects the practice of Temple priests to wash their hands and feet before offering sacrifices. The Temple of Solomon contained brazen lavers to allow for this washing. The purpose of the handwashing was to remove the defilement from dirty objects and from contact with what was ritually unclean.

The scribes and the Pharisees would impose “priestly holiness” on the common people which, added to other ritual restrictions, became a burden to people. The Jews then found it hard to procure water, much less to have a steady supply for washing. Jesus emphasizes that holiness is not a matter of outward purity, but a matter of the heart: what takes place within the person—in his mind, emotion, and will— which eventually gives rise to action, both good and evil. Jesus is being emphatic: “It is not what enters one’s mouth that defiles the man; but what comes out of the mouth is what defiles one” (v 11).

Thus, Jesus declared all foods clean (Mk 7:19). Later, the matter of purity would be applied to the question of accepting the Gentiles—considered by the Jews to be unclean—in the Church. Despite Jesus’ insistence on interior purity, there was a strong resistance to mingle with pagans and to welcome them in the community of believers. Before baptizing the pagan Cornelius, Peter had to be reminded in a vision, “What God has made clean, you are not to call profane” (Acts 10:15).

Paul had to face not a few opposition to convince the community that Gentiles need not be circumcised (to become Jews) before they become Christians. Even as defilement comes from the heart, so also works of holiness stem from it. We are invited to look, listen, and speak from the heart—to look with mercy upon our suffering brothers and sisters, to listen to their life’s stories with compassion, and to speak words of comfort and encouragement.

Some Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They do not wash their hands when they eat a meal.” He summoned the crowd and said to them, “Hear and understand. It is not what enters one’s mouth that defiles the man; but what comes out of the mouth is what defiles one.”

Then his disciples approached and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees took offense when they heard what you said?” He said in reply, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.