Mat 15:3 Why do you also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?

Christ responds here to the accusation the his disciples violated the law by not washing their hands before meals. Christ's response is consistent with his constant criticism of social norms and traditions taking precidence over true spirit. In the original Greek, Christ makes it clear that his accusers, the scribes and Pharisees, are more interested in legalisms than the spirit of the law. Much of Christ's teaching in Matthew is aimed at clarifying that a meaningful personal relationship with God and other people are much more important in cycle of spirit than conforming to social pressure and social norms.

"Transgress" is from parabainô, which means literally "to walk over," meaning "to bypass," or "over step."

"Tradition" is from paradosis, which means literally "to give over" and it used to mean "handing over" and "passing down." It is used to mean the "transmission" of legends, "bequeathing" of an inherentence," or that which is handed down such as "tradition," "doctrine," or "teaching."

"Commandment" is from entolê which means an "injunction," "order," or "command."