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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 15:37 mean?

Explanation

The verse Matthew 15:37 recounts the conclusion of the miracle of Jesus feeding the multitude.

It describes the aftermath of a significant event where Jesus miraculously multiplied a few loaves of bread and small fishes to feed a very large crowd.

The literal interpretation of this verse suggests that everyone in attendance ate until they were satisfied.

The "broken meat" refers to the leftover fragments of food, and the "seven baskets full" indicates the quantity of the remnants collected after the feeding.

Symbolically, this event emphasizes Jesus’ ability to provide abundantly and to exceed the needs of the people, highlighting His divine power and compassion.

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Historical Context

The feeding of the multitude took place in a region known as the Decapolis, a group of ten cities with a predominantly Gentile (non-Jewish) population, to which Jesus had withdrawn following a period of teaching and healing.

At this time, Jesus' ministry was expanding beyond the Jewish communities to reach Gentile audiences.

The historical context of this event suggests a period of growing awareness of Jesus’ ministry and the miraculous signs that characterized his presence and teaching, which attracted large crowds.

Theological Insights

Multiple theological insights stem from this passage.

From a Christian perspective, the feeding of the multitude is seen as an emblem of Jesus' provision and His ability to nourish both physically and spiritually.

It links Jesus to the miracle of manna provided by God in the wilderness, tying Him to divine providence.

The seven baskets can also symbolize completeness and perfection, reflecting the idea that Jesus’ miracles are perfect and complete.

Additionally, some theologians see this as a foreshadowing of the Last Supper and the Eucharist, with Jesus breaking bread to feed and sustain the faithful.

Practical Applications

In practical terms, Matthew 15:37 can be used to inspire generosity and trust in divine provision.

It encourages individuals to trust that their needs will be met, even in situations of scarcity.

It reminds the faithful to share with others, as there can be abundance even where there appears to be little.

It can also suggest that one should look for the blessings that come after an act of faith, as symbolized by the leftovers being more than what was initially available.

Cross-References

Matthew 14:20 - "And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full."
Mark 8:8 - "So they did eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets."
John 6:12 - "When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost."
Luke 9:17 - "And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets."

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the phrase "broken meat" comes from "κλασμάτων" (klasmatōn), which refers to "broken pieces" or "fragments" of food.

The word "baskets" is translated from "σπυρίδων" (spyrídōn), a term used for a type of basket or hamper that could be large and used for carrying provisions. The language underscores the physical reality of the miracle: tangible food that was broken and shared, yielding substantial leftovers.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Cultural and religious comparisons can be drawn to various other traditions where food plays a significant role in divine or miraculous events.

For instance, in some ancient myths, gods provide food from heaven or enable heroes to feed many with little.

In Judaism, the manna from heaven provided to the Israelites in the desert is a direct precursor to the miracle of the loaves and fishes, acting as a sign of God's provision for His people.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific standpoint, the account of Jesus feeding the multitude with a few loaves and fishes defies natural explanations and is hence recognized as a miracle – an event that transcends the known laws of nature.

Science, being based on empirical evidence and repeatability, does not endorse miraculous events; however, this does not negate the influence or the subjective meaning such events can hold for individuals and communities of faith.

Commentaries

Expert biblical commentators have proposed various interpretations of Matthew 15:37.

Some traditional commentaries focus on the miraculous nature of the event and its significance as a sign of Jesus' Messiahship.

Contemporary scholars often explore the symbolic meanings, citing the event as a representation of the Kingdom of God providing abundantly and inclusively.

Others analyze the sociopolitical implications, like how this act in a Gentile region represents the extension of Jesus' ministry to all peoples, breaking Jewish exclusivism.

Thus, interpretations range from historical and textual analyses to doctrinal and symbolic applications.

Matthew 15

Matthew 15

What does Matthew 15:37 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 15:37 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?