Verses 3 and 4 give background information about the Pharisees' washing traditions. The UDB uses a verse bridge to rearrange the information in verses 3 and 4 to make it easier to understand. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-versebridge]])
# They saw
"The Pharisees and the scribes saw"
# that is, unwashed
"that is, their hands were not washed" or "that is, they had not washed their hands"
# elders
Jewish elders were leaders in their communities and were also judges for the people.
# copper vessels
"copper kettles" or "metal containers"
# the couches upon which they eat
"benches" or "beds." At that time, the Jews would recline when eating.