suniēmi - do you understand?

The law-worshiping professors accused Jesus and His disciples of not holding to the paradosis (traditions, that were really laws) of the elders by eating without washing their hands. They were also accused of breaking many of the other ordinances.

They were unholy and filthy and unclean and unlawful!

Jesus responds by saying that even Isaiah had prophesied about these self-righteous law preachers when he said in Isaiah 29:13-14 Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear [reverence] toward me is taught by the precept of men: Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.

And so Jesus did!

Even though they were defiled and unholy and bad and demon-possessed and unclean and ungodly and disgusting and deserved NOTHING, He died their death and made them hole, without spot or blemish ... holy ... sanctified ... fully righteous.

What did the law-lovers try to do?

They obsessed and entangled themselves with the law.

Why?

They thought they could accomplish their own salvation, their own righteousness  by living according to the perfect plan, by using the law to such and extent that  the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken. Isaiah 28:13

... says Jesus: Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. Mar 7:7

He goes on to explain how the law-lovers were trying to keep the law asif it gave life and that there was no love.

He says these law-lovers make the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye. Mar 7:13 

Can you listen (akouō) with understanding?

Instead, Jesus says:

Hearken [akouō - turn your attention; perceive and receive; consider] unto me every one of you, and understand [suniēmi - bring together; set or join together yourself with Jesus]: There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.  If any man have ears to hear, let him hear [akouō].  Mar 7:16

Remember Jesus was going to enter man (goes into man) by His Holy Spirit (He can not be defiled) and the only way that we can defile ourselves (come out of man) is to renounce Him ... is to speak against what He really is - love, goodness, kindness, blessing, patient, gracious ... to totally decline the righteousness freely given by Jesus and say "I'll make myself righteous!".

The akouō- message is exactly the same message Jesus gives to the seven churches in seven separate instances in the book of Revelation - If any man have ears to hear, let him hear [akouō] - TURN YOUR ATTENTION ONTO HIM and [suniēmi] JOIN YOURSELF TOGETHER WITH HIM!

HalleluYAH!