The Pharisees and the Scribes accused the disciples of Jesus of transgressing the tradition of...
The Pharisees and the Scribes accused the disciples of Jesus of transgressing the tradition of the elders because they
- A) did not regard synagogue rules
- B) did not pray before meals
- C) ate with unwashed hands
- D) disobeyed the elders.
Correct Answer: C) ate with unwashed hands
Explanation
During the time of Jesus, the Pharisees and the Scribes were religious leaders who were responsible for enforcing Jewish religious laws. In this question, they accused the disciples of Jesus of transgressing the tradition of the elders because they ate with unwashed hands. This was seen as a violation of Jewish purity laws, which required people to wash their hands before eating.
Option A, did not regard synagogue rules, is incorrect as the accusation was specifically about the tradition of the elders and not synagogue rules. Option B, did not pray before meals, is also incorrect as the accusation was not about prayer but about the washing of hands. Option D, disobeyed the elders, is also incorrect as the accusation was about transgressing the tradition of the elders and not disobedience to them.
The tradition of the elders was a set of customs and interpretations of the Jewish Law that were passed down orally from generation to generation. Although these traditions were not part of the written Law, they were still considered important by the Pharisees and the Scribes.
In conclusion, the correct answer to this question is Option C, ate with unwashed hands, because the Pharisees and the Scribes accused the disciples of Jesus of transgressing the tradition of the elders by not following the Jewish purity laws of washing hands before eating.

