Mk 7:1-13
Tradition: Mark presents another conflict situation between Jesus and the scribes and Pharisees, reflecting the conflict in the early Church between the Jewish Christians and the Gentile converts of Mark’s community.
Mark sets the stage by posing the tradition of the elders, that is, the custom of washing hands, food, cups, kettles, etc. To many Jews, this body of detailed written and unwritten human law was regarded as having the same binding force as the Torah, the law of Moses. Therefore, some Jewish Christians felt that the Gentiles who wished to follow Jesus would have to adopt this body of law as well.
Mark declares this not to be the case. Conversion is not based on adopting Jewish laws or purification rituals. Authentic conversion to discipleship involves the heart of each person. Keeping the law can become mere lip service. But once the heart has been converted, then keeping the law is no longer a problem. Once authentic conversion has taken place, a person will go beyond the law.