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Matthew 15

Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying,

Why do thy 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 ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?

For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.

But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;

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.

Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,

This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth 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.

And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:

Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.

Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?

But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.

Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable.

And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding?

Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?

But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.

For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.

Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.

And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.

But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.

But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.

But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.

And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.

Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

And Jesus departed from thence, and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there.

And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus' feet; and he healed them:

Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.

Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.

And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude?

And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes.

And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground.

And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.

And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full.

And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children.

And he sent away the multitude, and took ship, and came into the coasts of Magdala,

What does Matthew 15:1 mean?

Explanation

Matthew 15:1 confronts the reader with a situation where scribes and Pharisees approached Jesus with a question.

These scribes and Pharisees came from Jerusalem, the religious and cultural center of Jewish life.

They challenge Jesus with respect to traditions and practices of the Jewish faith.

While the verse itself does not include the question asked, it sets the scene for a discussion on the adherence to tradition versus the spirit of the law, which unfolds in the subsequent passages.

It highlights the notion that the religious leaders are intentionally seeking to test or critique Jesus in regards to the observance of tradition.

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Historical Context

This encounter occurs during the period of Jesus' ministry in ancient Israel.

The scribes were scholars and teachers of the Jewish law, while the Pharisees were a sect known for strict adherence to the law and traditions of the elders.

They had significant religious authority among the Jewish people.

Jerusalem, being the site of the Temple, was the center of Jewish religious life and practice.

The Pharisees and scribes often held positions of power there.

Their journey to Jesus signifies the importance of the matter at hand to them and their desire to challenge Jesus' authority and teachings.

Theological Insights

Theologically, this verse introduces the tension between the letter of the law and the spirit of the law, a theme that is recurrent in the Gospels. For the Pharisees, adherence to the tradition of the elders was a way to maintain purity and live righteously.

However, this approach is often contrasted in the New Testament with Jesus’ teaching, which emphasizes the heart's intent and the application of God’s law to promote justice, mercy, and faithfulness.

Different Christian denominations may interpret this dynamic in various ways, with some placing greater emphasis on tradition, and others on personal faith and spiritual intent.

Practical Applications

This verse can serve as a reminder to examine our motives when engaging with religious practices.

It encourages individuals to not just follow religious customs out of habit or tradition, but to understand the reasons behind them and to ensure they are aligned with the core teachings and values of their faith.

It is a call to authentic living that puts principles like love, justice, and compassion at the forefront, rather than ritualistic adherence.

Cross-References

Mark 7:1-5: Discusses the same event where the Pharisees question Jesus about his disciples not following the traditional washing rituals.
Matthew 23:23: Jesus condemns the Pharisees for their strict tithing practices while neglecting more important moral laws.
Galatians 1:14: Paul discusses his former life in Judaism and his zealous adherence to the traditions of his fathers.

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the word "scribes" is translated from "γραμματεῖς" (grammateis), indicating a class of learned men skilled in the law.

"Pharisees" is translated from "Φαρισαῖοι" (Pharisaios), denoting the sect that strictly observed traditional rituals. The emphasis on these groups being "which were of Jerusalem" highlights the significance of their authoritative status and potential influence over religious matters.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In many ancient cultures and religions, there are accounts of religious leaders or gatekeepers who held sway over how rituals and laws were to be interpreted and followed.

For example, in the ancient Egyptian religious system, priests played a critical role in maintaining ritual purity and interpreting the gods' will.

The interaction in Matthew 15:1 reflects a universal human concern with religious authority and its exercise within a community.

Scientific Perspectives

The verse does not lend itself directly to scientific analysis but does bring up modern discussions around the psychology of religion, specifically, the tension individuals may feel between traditional practices and personal beliefs or the social dynamics between institutional religious authorities and individual spirituality.

Commentaries

Commentators often reflect on this passage by mentioning the potential motivations behind the question the Pharisees and scribes are posing to Jesus.

They note that this delegation from Jerusalem signifies a more serious investigation into Jesus' practices, suggestive of an escalating conflict between Jesus and the religious establishment.

Scholars like William Barclay and Matthew Henry emphasize that Jesus uses these confrontations to teach deeper spiritual truths, pointing out the dangers of legalism and the prioritization of human traditions over divine commands.

Matthew 15

Matthew 15

What does Matthew 15:1 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Matthew Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Matthew 15:1 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Matthew Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?