Matthew 15: A Deeper Dive into Tradition, Defilement, and Faith
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.
Matthew 15 presents a multifaceted picture of Jesus' ministry, highlighting His confrontations with religious leaders, His compassion for the marginalized, and the expansion of His message beyond the borders of Israel. Understanding this chapter requires careful consideration of its historical context, theological implications, and practical applications for our lives today. This commentary aims to provide a comprehensive exploration of Matthew 15, drawing insights from various perspectives to enrich your understanding of this significant passage.
Confrontation with the Pharisees: The Heart of the Matter (Matthew 15:1-20)
The chapter opens with a delegation of Pharisees and scribes arriving from Jerusalem, a clear indication of Jesus' growing influence and the threat He posed to the established religious order (Matthew 15:1). Their concern wasn't genuine piety but maintaining their authority. They confronted Jesus about His disciples' failure to observe the tradition of the elders, specifically the ritual washing of hands before meals (Matthew 15:2). This wasn't about hygiene; it was a meticulously prescribed ritual symbolizing spiritual purity.
Jesus, rather than directly addressing their accusation, countered with a piercing question: "Why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?" (Matthew 15:3). He exposed their hypocrisy, illustrating how they used traditions to circumvent God's explicit commands. The example He cited involved the practice of declaring possessions as "devoted to God" (Matthew 15:5), allowing individuals to neglect their responsibility to care for their aging parents (Matthew 15:4-6). This loophole, designed to enrich the temple, effectively nullified God's command to honor one's parents.
Jesus then calls them hypocrites, quoting Isaiah: "This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men" (Matthew 15:7-9). True worship involves a heart devoted to God, not merely outward adherence to human-made rules. When traditions replace the very word of God, worship becomes futile.
Turning to the crowd, Jesus addressed the issue of defilement, striking at the core of the Pharisees' concern with ritual purity (Matthew 15:10). He declared that it is not what enters the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth (Matthew 15:11). Moral pollution originates from within the heart, manifesting in evil thoughts, words, and actions (Matthew 15:18-19). Unwashed hands might cause physical illness, but they cannot defile the spirit. Defilement is an internal matter, and external activity can’t change a heart.
This teaching challenged the Pharisees' emphasis on external rituals and highlighted the importance of inner transformation. Endless religious habits don't make you a better person because external traditions can’t change a wicked heart. Only Jesus can. Through a relationship with Him, your heart can be transformed so that you love God and love people.
The disciples, noticing the Pharisees' offense, alerted Jesus (Matthew 15:12). Jesus responded, unconcerned with their feelings, stating that they were blind guides leading others into a pit (Matthew 15:14). His priority was truth, not appeasement.
The Canaanite Woman: A Testament to Great Faith (Matthew 15:21-28)
Leaving the region of Galilee, Jesus withdrew to the area of Tyre and Sidon, a Gentile territory (Matthew 15:21). Here, He encountered a Canaanite woman who cried out to Him for mercy, begging Him to heal her demon-possessed daughter (Matthew 15:22). Despite her Gentile background, she recognized Jesus as the "Son of David," a Messianic title.
Initially, Jesus remained silent (Matthew 15:23), testing her faith and perhaps illustrating the priority of His mission to Israel. The disciples, impatient and perhaps prejudiced, urged Jesus to send her away (Matthew 15:23).
Jesus then responded, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Matthew 15:24). While the focus of His earthly ministry was on the children of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Jesus brought God’s grace to all people, Jew and Gentile alike. After his death and resurrection, he would command his disciples to take his message to “all nations” (Matthew 28:19) and to “the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
Undeterred, the woman knelt before Him and pleaded, "Lord, help me!" (Matthew 15:25). Her persistence demonstrated her unwavering belief in Jesus' power and compassion.
Jesus then used a seemingly harsh analogy: "It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs" (Matthew 15:26). However, the Greek word for "dogs" referred to house pets or lap dogs, softening the image. He was emphasizing the priority of ministering to Israel first.
The woman's response revealed her profound humility and faith: "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table" (Matthew 15:27). She acknowledged her unworthiness but expressed her belief that even a small measure of Jesus' power could heal her daughter.
Impressed by her great faith, Jesus declared, "Woman, your faith is great; be it done for you as you desire" (Matthew 15:28). Her daughter was healed instantly. This encounter demonstrated that faith transcends ethnic and social boundaries and that God's grace is available to all who seek Him with a sincere heart. This Canaanite started with faith. Then, by persevering through a series of difficulties intended by God to take her deeper, she ended up with great faith. Remember: when God doesn’t answer your prayers about a specific need, it’s likely he’s trying to deepen your faith. So be persistent in prayer.
Healing and Feeding the Multitude: Compassion and Provision (Matthew 15:29-39)
Returning to the Sea of Galilee, Jesus went up on a mountain, and large crowds gathered, bringing with them the lame, blind, crippled, mute, and many others (Matthew 15:29-30). He healed them all, and the people were amazed and glorified the God of Israel (Matthew 15:31).
After three days, Jesus, moved with compassion for the hungry crowd, expressed His concern: "I have compassion on the crowd because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. And I am unwilling to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way" (Matthew 15:32).
The disciples, focused on the apparent lack of resources, questioned how they could possibly feed such a large crowd in a desolate place (Matthew 15:33). They only had seven loaves of bread and a few small fish (Matthew 15:34).
Jesus instructed the crowd to sit down (Matthew 15:35). Taking the seven loaves and the fish, He gave thanks, broke them, and gave them to the disciples, who distributed them to the crowd (Matthew 15:36). Miraculously, the food multiplied, and everyone ate and was satisfied. They gathered seven large baskets full of leftover fragments (Matthew 15:37). The number of those who ate was four thousand men, besides women and children (Matthew 15:38).
This second miraculous feeding, similar to the feeding of the five thousand in Matthew 14, reinforces Jesus' power to provide for the needs of those who follow Him. It also foreshadows the spiritual nourishment He offers through His teachings and ultimately through His sacrifice. It also illustrates that Jesus is at the center of his kingdom rule, and he calls his disciples to be distributors—on his behalf—of the blessings, provisions, power, and message of the kingdom.
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.
Matthew 15 presents a multifaceted picture of Jesus' ministry, highlighting His confrontations with religious leaders, His compassion for the marginalized, and the expansion of His message beyond the borders of Israel. Understanding this chapter requires careful consideration of its historical context, theological implications, and practical applications for our lives today. This commentary aims to provide a comprehensive exploration of Matthew 15, drawing insights from various perspectives to enrich your understanding of this significant passage.
Confrontation with the Pharisees: The Heart of the Matter (Matthew 15:1-20)
The chapter opens with a delegation of Pharisees and scribes arriving from Jerusalem, a clear indication of Jesus' growing influence and the threat He posed to the established religious order (Matthew 15:1). Their concern wasn't genuine piety but maintaining their authority. They confronted Jesus about His disciples' failure to observe the tradition of the elders, specifically the ritual washing of hands before meals (Matthew 15:2). This wasn't about hygiene; it was a meticulously prescribed ritual symbolizing spiritual purity.
Jesus, rather than directly addressing their accusation, countered with a piercing question: "Why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?" (Matthew 15:3). He exposed their hypocrisy, illustrating how they used traditions to circumvent God's explicit commands. The example He cited involved the practice of declaring possessions as "devoted to God" (Matthew 15:5), allowing individuals to neglect their responsibility to care for their aging parents (Matthew 15:4-6). This loophole, designed to enrich the temple, effectively nullified God's command to honor one's parents.
Jesus then calls them hypocrites, quoting Isaiah: "This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men" (Matthew 15:7-9). True worship involves a heart devoted to God, not merely outward adherence to human-made rules. When traditions replace the very word of God, worship becomes futile.
Turning to the crowd, Jesus addressed the issue of defilement, striking at the core of the Pharisees' concern with ritual purity (Matthew 15:10). He declared that it is not what enters the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth (Matthew 15:11). Moral pollution originates from within the heart, manifesting in evil thoughts, words, and actions (Matthew 15:18-19). Unwashed hands might cause physical illness, but they cannot defile the spirit. Defilement is an internal matter, and external activity can’t change a heart.
This teaching challenged the Pharisees' emphasis on external rituals and highlighted the importance of inner transformation. Endless religious habits don't make you a better person because external traditions can’t change a wicked heart. Only Jesus can. Through a relationship with Him, your heart can be transformed so that you love God and love people.
The disciples, noticing the Pharisees' offense, alerted Jesus (Matthew 15:12). Jesus responded, unconcerned with their feelings, stating that they were blind guides leading others into a pit (Matthew 15:14). His priority was truth, not appeasement.
The Canaanite Woman: A Testament to Great Faith (Matthew 15:21-28)
Leaving the region of Galilee, Jesus withdrew to the area of Tyre and Sidon, a Gentile territory (Matthew 15:21). Here, He encountered a Canaanite woman who cried out to Him for mercy, begging Him to heal her demon-possessed daughter (Matthew 15:22). Despite her Gentile background, she recognized Jesus as the "Son of David," a Messianic title.
Initially, Jesus remained silent (Matthew 15:23), testing her faith and perhaps illustrating the priority of His mission to Israel. The disciples, impatient and perhaps prejudiced, urged Jesus to send her away (Matthew 15:23).
Jesus then responded, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Matthew 15:24). While the focus of His earthly ministry was on the children of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Jesus brought God’s grace to all people, Jew and Gentile alike. After his death and resurrection, he would command his disciples to take his message to “all nations” (Matthew 28:19) and to “the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
Undeterred, the woman knelt before Him and pleaded, "Lord, help me!" (Matthew 15:25). Her persistence demonstrated her unwavering belief in Jesus' power and compassion.
Jesus then used a seemingly harsh analogy: "It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs" (Matthew 15:26). However, the Greek word for "dogs" referred to house pets or lap dogs, softening the image. He was emphasizing the priority of ministering to Israel first.
The woman's response revealed her profound humility and faith: "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table" (Matthew 15:27). She acknowledged her unworthiness but expressed her belief that even a small measure of Jesus' power could heal her daughter.
Impressed by her great faith, Jesus declared, "Woman, your faith is great; be it done for you as you desire" (Matthew 15:28). Her daughter was healed instantly. This encounter demonstrated that faith transcends ethnic and social boundaries and that God's grace is available to all who seek Him with a sincere heart. This Canaanite started with faith. Then, by persevering through a series of difficulties intended by God to take her deeper, she ended up with great faith. Remember: when God doesn’t answer your prayers about a specific need, it’s likely he’s trying to deepen your faith. So be persistent in prayer.
Healing and Feeding the Multitude: Compassion and Provision (Matthew 15:29-39)
Returning to the Sea of Galilee, Jesus went up on a mountain, and large crowds gathered, bringing with them the lame, blind, crippled, mute, and many others (Matthew 15:29-30). He healed them all, and the people were amazed and glorified the God of Israel (Matthew 15:31).
After three days, Jesus, moved with compassion for the hungry crowd, expressed His concern: "I have compassion on the crowd because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. And I am unwilling to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way" (Matthew 15:32).
The disciples, focused on the apparent lack of resources, questioned how they could possibly feed such a large crowd in a desolate place (Matthew 15:33). They only had seven loaves of bread and a few small fish (Matthew 15:34).
Jesus instructed the crowd to sit down (Matthew 15:35). Taking the seven loaves and the fish, He gave thanks, broke them, and gave them to the disciples, who distributed them to the crowd (Matthew 15:36). Miraculously, the food multiplied, and everyone ate and was satisfied. They gathered seven large baskets full of leftover fragments (Matthew 15:37). The number of those who ate was four thousand men, besides women and children (Matthew 15:38).
This second miraculous feeding, similar to the feeding of the five thousand in Matthew 14, reinforces Jesus' power to provide for the needs of those who follow Him. It also foreshadows the spiritual nourishment He offers through His teachings and ultimately through His sacrifice. It also illustrates that Jesus is at the center of his kingdom rule, and he calls his disciples to be distributors—on his behalf—of the blessings, provisions, power, and message of the kingdom.