GOSPEL
The Pharisees were very concerned about ritual purity and when returning from an outing would always wash their hands up to their elbows. This was to wash away the defilement that they may have contacted while doing their daily activities. Jesus did not see that He could be made unclean by external things but only by sinful acts so He did not bother to wash His hands. This caused great offense to the Pharisees. Yet Jesus points out the real issue — that it is in the human heart where all evil desires lie. It is there that we need to be washed, not our hands, if we are to be truly clean.
Luke 11:37-41
37 After Jesus had spoken, a Pharisee invited him to dine at his home. He entered and reclined at table to eat. 38 The Pharisee was amazed to see that he did not observe the prescribed washing before the meal. 39 The Lord said to him, “Oh you Pharisees! Although you cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish, inside you are filled with plunder and evil. 40 You fools! Did not the maker of the outside also make the inside? 41 But as to what is within, give alms, and behold, everything will be clean for you.”
