Matthew 15:2

“Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders?”

Incriminating news reached Jerusalem – Jesus’ disciples do not wash their hands before they eat. The Pharisees and teachers of the Law were aghast!  Jesus’ disciples were seen putting some food in their mouths without ritually washing their hands, an ancient and honorable tradition. They accused Jesus for allowing his disciples to do that.

This custom became for the Jews a sign of their separation from the heathen who did not do so.  It had little to do with help in those days, just an accepted tradition. The Pharisees were right in basing the practice on tradition, not on Scriptural analysis. It was something that all good Jews did. There is no such prohibition in the Law.

When their accusations reached Jesus, he matter of factly said, “Why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?”  The Law states clearly, he explained, that we should look after our parents, no doubt including meeting their needs as they were able, including financial responsibility.

This became and encumbrance for them so they devised a way to avoid responsibility for taking care of their parents. They gave an offering to God supposedly equivalent to what it would take to support their parents. That offering left them off the hook, so to speak.

Jesus pronounced this wrong because it set aside a clear command of God to take responsibility for the care of their parents. He pointed out how preposterous it is to make such a big deal out of washing before eating at all, a practice without Scriptural base, while deliberately disobeying one of  the Ten Commandments given to Moses to “honor your parents. ”

Jesus hated hypocricy. Still does.