Matthew 15:1-20

Verse 1 → “Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying,”
“Scribes” → (grammateus) trained in the Mosaic Law, interpreter of the Law
Through interpreting the Law, the often added to the Law
“Pharisees” → worked in the synagogues, the religious authority in the cities of Judea
Prioritized oral tradition (they called the oral law)
“Which were of Jerusalem” → Jesus is most likely in the region Capernaum
They traveled about 80 miles.
Matthew and Mark are the ones who record this interaction.
Not sure if they traveled all this way specifically to question Jesus, or for another reason.

Verse 2 → “Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they
eat bread.”
“the tradition of the elders” → Not found in the Mosaic Law
Exodus 30:17-21 → The commandment for Aaron and his sons to clean themselves.
Probably two fold purpose: Sacrifices and symbolic cleansing
Priest laid hands on the animal to be sacrificed.
They would sprinkle the blood.
Priest would ceremonially cleanse themselves before approaching the altar.
Not a bad tradition, but it was a tradition instead of law.
Mark 7 → The Pharisees said they washed often.
Perhaps they had started doing ceremonial washing frequently to cover up their spiritual uncleanness.
Even today, some churches get stuck in tradition.
“For they wash not their hands when they eat bread” → Seems straightforward.
When the disciples would sit down to eat, they would not wash their hands.
“Wash” → can refer to ceremonial cleansing or just washing
Maybe the disciples weren’t washing the right way?
Maybe the disciples didn’t wash at all.
Why did they not do this if it was the tradition of the elders?
Shouldn’t they respect their elders?

Verse 3 → “But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by
your tradition?”
The scribes and Pharisees had adopted traditions that were prioritized over the commandments.
Modern Churches have adopted some traditions and prioritized them over what God’s word teaches.
These can take place on both ends of the spectrum.
You drank alcohol? You must not be saved.
You skipped Wednesday night service? You must not be dedicated to the Lord.
You believe only men should be preachers? That is old and outdated.
You believe marriage is only between a man and a woman? God is love and he doesn’t judge.
Churches have adopted a tradition of accepting defeat in cultural matters.
Look at where that has gotten society.

Verse 4 → “For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother,
let him die the death.”
“Honour thy father and mother”
Exodus 20:12 → “Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land
which the LORD thy God giveth thee.”
This was a promise to Israel.
Many good people have honored their parents and died young.
“He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death”
Exodus 21:17 → “And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.”

Verse 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;”
“It is a gift” → (do’ron) present, often in the context of a sacrifice
What is the gift referring to?
Most translators seem to be convinced this is something said to be offered to the Lord.
What kind of gift would it be? Money, material goods, or time?
“by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me”
“Profited” → beneficial; something that could have benefited the parents
Instead of giving a gift (whether wealth or resource) to their parents, they have designated it as an offering to the Lord.
Interesting situation → Wouldn’t their parents believe this to be a good thing?
Perhaps the issue lies in the motivation for the gifts.
Mark 12 → The Widow giving her mite.
These wealthy people who gave money → Did it for show and their own glory.
Maybe they thought, “I won’t receive any compliments for taking care of my parents.”
They would rather use their time and money to get public compliments.
“Honour” → (timaho) to prize, fix value upon
God’s commandment was to value one’s father and mother.
Value their wisdom and their love.
Sometimes the best one can do for society is care for their parents as they get older.
Most people become more “religious” as they get older.
This is because they have gained a wealth of wisdom during their time on earth.
To care for them and listen to them is essential for a thriving civilization.

Verse 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.”
They had become very superficial.
They ceremonially washed frequently to cover the fact they had abandoned God’s commandments.

Verse 7 → “Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,”
Isaiah

Verse 8 → “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart
is far from me.”
The Pharisees and Jews had reached a point where they loved to talk about how much they loved God
But they were not doing it from their heart
They heart was focused on self serving motives
This is a problem among professing believers
They will identify as a Christian.
Yet, nothing about their actions, what they teach their children, or their views on society show any interest in bring glory to God.

Verse 9 → “But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”
They had convinced themselves the traditions and commandments of men were what really mattered.

Verse 10 → “And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:”
“The multitude” → Perhaps Jesus and the Pharisees had drawn somewhat of a crowd at this point.

Verse 11 → “Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this
defileth a man.”
It was not the food handled with unclean hands that defiled them.
It was the motivation of their soul → What did they believe on the inside and what were their actions?
For Christians today → What do you truly believe? How is it manifesting externally?
Can people look at you and talk to you and see that you have a deeply held belief in God.
How does that belief alter the way you interact with others?

Verse 12 → “Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after
they heard this saying?”
Nowadays, offending someone is one of the worst things you can do.
Unless that person is a Christian.
Jesus simply spoke the truth and if it offended someone, so be it.

Verse 13 → “But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be
rooted up.”
Matthew 13 → The tares among the wheat.
The tares are the Pharisees and those who have rejected the Gospel of the Kingdom and the words of Jesus.

Verse 14 → “Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into
the ditch.”
“They be blind leaders of the blind” → The Pharisees and the Jews who have bought into their teaching.
This may seems harsh but remember → They have hardened their hearts (blinded their eyes)
“Let them alone” → Jesus and the disciples had much work to do, they didn’t have time to waste
In your efforts to share the gospel, don’t let yourself fixate too much on someone who continues to reject you.
If they are a loved one, it is understandable.
However, if it is a coworker or an acquaintance, manage your time wisely.
You only have so much time on earth.

Verse 15 → “Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable.”

Verse 16 → “And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding?”
“Yet without understanding” → Perhaps Jesus is a little surprised it is taking the disciples so long.

Verse 17 → “Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast
out into the draught?”
Whatever you put into your body will eventually leave the body.




Verse 18 → “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the
man.”
The heart produces wicked thoughts and desires.
“Heat” → (kardia) the inner thoughts and feelings
There is a constant battle between the flesh and the inner man.
When the inner man doesn’t fight the desires of the flesh, the man allows the wickedness to come out of him.

Verse 19 → “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness,
blasphemies:”
“Follow your heart” → Is a ridiculously bad idea.
But today’s society is obsessed with following the whims of your desires.

Verse 20 → “These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.”