29. The Source of Defilement (Mark 7:9 - 23)

In his confrontation with the religious leaders over the question of hand-washing, Jesus overruled the 'tradition of the elders.' From there he proceeded to raise a more weighty and dramatic matter, the actual content of the law of Moses, especially from the book of Leviticus. Israel had for centuries observed kosher, the dietary regulations of the Hebrew Scriptures, but in a breath-taking sweep of authoritative pronouncement, Jesus declared all foods clean, abrogating the long established rule. His action extended far beyond foods, however, as by implication he also eliminated the distinction between 'clean' and 'unclean' people, opening the door for ministry to the Gentiles, and the excursion to the Gentile world which follows immediately.