User: Hello, when the Pharisees stopped Jesus and the disciples because they were eating with unwashed hands, that whole chapter is about unwashed hands. It has nothing to do with food, right?

AI Assistant: The incident you are referring to can be found in Matthew 15:1-20, Mark 7:1-23. This passage involves more than just the issue of unwashed hands; it touches on the broader topic of what constitutes true holiness before God.

In this context, the Pharisees and some of the scribes criticized Jesus for allowing his disciples to eat without washing their hands according to the traditional Jewish customs (called "the tradition of the elders"). However, the core issue was actually about the nature of righteousness and the priority of the heart over external rituals.

Jesus used this opportunity to teach a broader principle regarding the purity of heart. He contrasts the outward acts of their traditions with the inner state of one's heart. Jesus states in Matthew 15:3 (KJV):

But he answered and said unto them, "Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?" 

He directly addresses the issue of unclean hands Matthew 15:7-9 (KJV):

" Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, his people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." 

Thus, while the immediate context deals with hand washing, Jesus uses this situation to explain that true righteousness comes not from external practices alone but from a clean heart and sincere faith.

The key takeaway is that Jesus is critiquing the Pharisees' focus on externals over true spiritual purity.

User: So the modern churches that say that this passage is about Christ and the disciples demonstrating it is now OK to eat unclean food is incorrect.

AI Assistant: Yes, that's correct. The passage you are referring to (Matthew 15:1-20, and Mark 7:1-23) is primarily about the issue of external rituals versus internal purity rather than permitting unclean food.

Here are some key points to consider:

External vs. Internal Purity: Jesus uses the issue of hand washing as a means to discuss the true nature of spiritual cleanliness. He emphasizes that what comes out of a person's heart (evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, etc.) is more sinful than external practices like hand washing.

Commandments and Traditions:

Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for prioritizing their traditions over the commandments of God. He highlights how they set aside the commandment of God to keep their own traditions.

Heart-Centered Holiness: True righteousness comes from the heart, not just external observances.

Unclean Food:

The passage does not permit unclean food or suggest that eating unclean food is now acceptable. Instead, it focuses on the spiritual state of a person and how true righteousness comes from within.

In summary, modern churches that interpret this passage as implying it is now okay to eat unclean food are misunderstanding the broader context and intent of Jesus' teaching. The core message is about the importance of internal purity and obedience to God's commandments over adherence to human traditions.