1 Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying,
2 Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.
3 But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?
4 For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.
5 But ye say, Whosoever shall say to [his] father or [his] mother, [It is] a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;
6 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.
7 [Ye] hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,
8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with [their] lips; but their heart is far from me.
9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching [for] doctrines the commandments of men.
10 And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:
11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.
12 Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?
13 But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.
14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
15 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable.
16 And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding?
17 Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?
18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.
19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
20 These are [the things] which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.
21 Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.
22 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.
23 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.
24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.
26 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast [it] to dogs.
27 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.
28 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.
29 And Jesus departed from thence, and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there.
30 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:
31 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.
32 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.
33 And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude?
34 And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes.
35 And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground.
36 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.
37 And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken [meat] that was left seven baskets full.
38 And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children.
39 And he sent away the multitude, and took ship, and came into the coasts of Magdala.
Overview of Matthew Chapter 15
Matthew Chapter 15 presents a series of teachings and events that emphasize the conflict between Jesus and the religious leaders of the time, as well as the expansion of His ministry beyond the Jewish people. The chapter can be divided into two main sections: the confrontation with the Pharisees and the teachings on inner purity, followed by the healing of a Canaanite woman’s daughter and the feeding of the four thousand.
Confrontation with the Pharisees
The chapter opens with a confrontation between Jesus and the Pharisees regarding the tradition of ritual handwashing.
- Tradition vs. Commandments: The Pharisees question Jesus about why His disciples do not follow the tradition of washing their hands before eating. Jesus responds by highlighting the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, who prioritize human traditions over God’s commandments.
- Honor Your Parents: Jesus cites the commandment to honor one’s parents and criticizes the practice of Corban, where people could dedicate their resources to God instead of supporting their parents, thus violating the commandment.
- Inner Purity: Jesus teaches that what defiles a person is not what goes into the mouth, but what comes out of it, emphasizing the importance of inner purity and the condition of the heart.
Teachings on Inner Purity
Jesus uses this confrontation to teach His followers about the nature of true defilement.
- Defilement: Jesus explains that evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, and slander come from the heart and are what truly defile a person.
- Disciples’ Understanding: After the crowd disperses, the disciples express confusion about Jesus’ teachings. He explains that they should understand that it is not what enters the mouth that defiles, but what comes out, reiterating His point about inner purity.
The Faith of the Canaanite Woman
Following the teachings on purity, Jesus encounters a Canaanite woman who seeks healing for her demon-possessed daughter.
- Persistence in Faith: The woman approaches Jesus, calling Him “Lord” and pleading for help. Initially, Jesus does not respond, which tests her faith.
- Jesus’ Response: Jesus initially states that He was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel, implying that His ministry is focused on the Jews. However, the woman persists, demonstrating her faith and humility.
- Comparison to Dogs: Jesus uses a metaphor about children and dogs, suggesting that it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs. The woman cleverly responds that even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table, showcasing her great faith.
- Healing Granted: Impressed by her faith, Jesus grants her request, healing her daughter. This interaction highlights the theme of faith transcending ethnic boundaries.
The Feeding of the Four Thousand
The chapter concludes with the miraculous feeding of a large crowd, further demonstrating Jesus’ compassion and divine authority.
- Compassion for the Crowds: Jesus sees the hungry crowd and expresses compassion for them, stating that they have been with Him for three days and need food.
- Disciples’ Doubt: The disciples question how they can feed such a large number of people in a desolate place, revealing their lack of faith in Jesus’ ability to provide.
- Miraculous Provision: Jesus takes seven loaves and a few small fish, gives thanks, breaks them, and distributes them through the disciples. The crowd is fed, and there are leftovers, demonstrating Jesus’ miraculous provision.
Thematic Analysis
Matthew Chapter 15 highlights several key themes:
- Tradition vs. True Worship: The conflict with the Pharisees illustrates the tension between human traditions and God’s commandments.
- Inclusivity of the Gospel: The encounter with the Canaanite woman emphasizes that faith is accessible to all, regardless of background.
- Divine Provision: The feeding of the four thousand showcases Jesus’ compassion and ability to meet the needs of the people.
Conclusion
Matthew Chapter 15 serves as a critical turning point in Jesus’ ministry, emphasizing the importance of inner purity, the breaking down of ethnic barriers, and the miraculous provision of God. Through His teachings and actions, Jesus reveals the heart of His mission and the nature of true faith.
