Mark 7:1-13 – WHO WERE THESE PEOPLE?
We know that the Pharisees were the religious fundamentalists of their day. They added much tradition to the law of God, and placed on the same level of importance. Our text shows us in a detailed fashion who they REALLY were.
THEY WERE WONDERERS – Vss. 1-2, 5
They wondered why the disciples did not adhere to the “tradition of the elders”.
THEY WERE WASHERS – Vss. 3-4
With great detail they followed man-made traditions about washing.
THEY WERE WANDERERS – Vss. 6-8
According to Jesus, they wandered from the commandment of God to keep the traditions of men.
THEY WERE WIGGLERS – Vss. 9-13
They wiggled (tried to escape) out of their God-given responsibilities through following their own traditions.