"Why do your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread." But he answered and said unto them, "Why do you also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? For God commanded, saying, Honor your father and mother: and, He that curses father or mother, let him die the death. But you say, Whosoever shall say to [his] father or [his] mother, [It is] a gift, by whatsoever you might be profited by me; And honor not his father or his mother, [he shall be free]. Thus have you made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. -- Matthew 15:2-6
The Greek word translated "tradition" is paradosis (G3682) and occurs 13 times in the New Testament. According to Strong's, it means "transmission" a "precept", and especially "Jewish traditionary law". The word patroparadotos (G3970) is derived from the same root and means "handing over or down" as in "received by tradition from fathers".
Here is a quick survey of the passages where this word occurs:
"Tradition" From the Gospels
Matthew (15:2) Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.
Matthew (15:3) But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?
Matthew (15:6) And honour not his father or his mother, [he shall be free]. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.
Mark (7:3) For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash [their] hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.
Mark (7:5) Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?
Mark (7:8) For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, [as] the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.
Mark (7:9) And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.
Mark (7:13) Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.
"Tradition" From the Letters
Galatians (1:14) And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.
Colossians (2:8) Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
2 Thessalonians (2:15) Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
2 Thessalonians (3:6) Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
1 Peter (1:18) Forasmuch as ye know that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, [as] silver and gold, from your vain conversation [received] by tradition from your fathers;
Tradition is Error
From these references it will be seen that "tradition" is referred to negatively 11 of 13 times. In the Gospels, Christ was a persistent enemy of tradition, reserving His strictest condemnation for the Scribes and Pharisees -- the "religious leaders" of the day. For example, see Matthew 23.
There are obvious Christian traditions today: The order or procedure of "church services". Christmas, Easter, Sunday, Sunday School, Vacation Bible School. Pews, pulpits, stained glass, altars, robes, art, music. Bishops, arch-bishops, conventions, creeds. Prayers, words and phrases. Where are these in Scripture? They are foreign to the Bible.
From whence did they come, then? From man. Tradition permeates all of the professing Christian religions.
The verses that follow Matthew 15:6 continue with:
[You] hypocrites, well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying, This people draws nigh unto me with their mouth, and honor 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. (Matthew 15:7-9)
What May We Learn?
Though it was prophesied of Israel, Isaiah 29:13 might well apply to Christians today. Freed from the complicated entanglements of the Law by the work of Christ, we are quick to adopt the teachings of men -- as if these can hold more authority than the Law!
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. (Romans 15:4)
There are also traditions that are not so obvious. The traditional errors in doctrine tend to be much more subtle. Some are ancient, some are fresh perversions of the truth. Tradition in doctrine is often a trite and simple statement. It is a "sum up" that allows those with itching ears to live by conveniently packaged rules rather than by faith in Christ Jesus.
Israel had the Scriptures, but overlaid them with their traditions, and made the Scriptures of "none effect". Christian Pharisees do the same using a long history of tradition to support their doctrines, yet they are still the doctrines of men.
But tradition, however long it's history, cannot supplant the Word of God. Israel had the Scriptures but missed the coming of the Messiah.
What then? Israel has not obtained that which he seeks for; but the election has obtained it, and the rest were blinded. Romans (11:7)
How many will miss the Savior because their traditions have blinded them to what His Word actually says? How many will stand in Judgement, with the flames of Hell licking at their creeds and confessions!
A little leaven ferments the whole lump (Galatians 5:9): May the Lord give us grace to purge the traditions of men from our lives and strive to live by His Holy Word.
