The Pharisees were upset. It is so easy to become upset with someone we don't like. If we like someone, they could do the exact same thing and we would think nothing of it. But the Pharisees didn't like Jesus, so they actively sought out confrontations.
Mark 7:1-13 is one such confrontation. The disciples ate without first washing their hands, and the Pharisees and scribes demanded an answer of Jesus. "Why don't they wash according to the tradition of the elders?" In their statement they admitted they believed the traditions of the elders were an authority in their lives. They could not fathom NOT following the elders' traditions.
Jesus verbally slapped them with Isaiah 29:13: "This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far away from Me. But in vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men." Perhaps these men already knew the next verse (Isa. 29:14), which indicated judgment on the subjects of these vain-worshipers. Then Jesus pulled out another example saying, "You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition." He said they broke the commandment (number 5 of the 10 commandments) to honor their father and mother by keeping another of the elders' traditions. They simply had to dedicate their money to the Lord and that absolved them from helping needy parents. Jesus said they were "invalidating the word of God"!
I want to notice the following:
1. In the first instance, Jesus reprimanded them for ADDING a law where God had not made one (washing of the hands before they ate). While it's great to wash hands, there is no spiritual problem with someone who does not.
2. In the second instance, Jesus indicted them for TAKING AWAY a law where God had made one (they found a way around honoring parents).
3. In Mark 7:8 Jesus recognized two authorities: "Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men." We need to be able to clearly distinguish between these two! (See also Mark 11:30 - "Was the baptism of John from heaven, or from men?")
Nathan