Why did the disciples not follow tradition? (Mk 7:5-7:5)

“The Pharisees

And the Scribes

Asked Jesus.

‘Why do your disciples

Not live

According to the tradition

Of the elders,

But eat

With defiled hands?’”

 

καὶ ἐπερωτῶσιν αὐτὸν οἱ Φαρισαῖοι καὶ οἱ γραμματεῖς Διὰ τί οὐ περιπατοῦσιν οἱ μαθηταί σου κατὰ τὴν παράδοσιν τῶν πρεσβυτέρων, ἀλλὰ κοιναῖς χερσὶν ἐσθίουσιν τὸν ἄρτον;

 

There is something similar to this in Matthew, chapter 15:2.  Mark said that these Pharisees and Scribes questioned Jesus (καὶ ἐπερωτῶσιν αὐτὸν οἱ Φαρισαῖοι καὶ οἱ γραμματεῖς).  They wanted to know why the disciples of Jesus did not live or walk (Διὰ τί οὐ περιπατοῦσιν οἱ μαθηταί σου) according to the tradition of the elders or the priests (κατὰ τὴν παράδοσιν τῶν πρεσβυτέρων).  But his disciples ate bread with defiled or unwashed hands (ἀλλὰ κοιναῖς χερσὶν ἐσθίουσιν τὸν ἄρτον). They were violating the tradition of the elders.