When the religious leaders confront Jesus about His disciples' failure to wash their hands before meals, they find themselves in a surprising discussion that uncovers deeper truths about faith and tradition.
The Reading: Matthew 15
World English Bible1 Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem, saying,
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2 “Why do your disciples disobey the tradition of the elders? For they don’t wash their hands when they eat bread.”
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3 He answered them, “Why do you also disobey the commandment of God because of your tradition?
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4 For God commanded, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him be put to death.’
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5 But you say, ‘Whoever may tell his father or his mother, “Whatever help you might otherwise have gotten from me is a gift devoted to God,”
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6 he shall not honor his father or mother.’ You have made the commandment of God void because of your tradition.
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7 You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying,
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8 ‘These people draw near to me with their mouth, and honor me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
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9 And in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrine rules made by men.’”
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10 He summoned the multitude, and said to them, “Hear, and understand.
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11 That which enters into the mouth doesn’t defile the man; but that which proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man.”
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12 Then the disciples came, and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended, when they heard this saying?”
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13 But he answered, “Every plant which my heavenly Father didn’t plant will be uprooted.
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14 Leave them alone. They are blind guides of the blind. If the blind guide the blind, both will fall into a pit.”
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15 Peter answered him, “Explain the parable to us.”
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16 So Jesus said, “Do you also still not understand?
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17 Don’t you understand that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the belly, and then out of the body?
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18 But the things which proceed out of the mouth come out of the heart, and they defile the man.
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19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual sins, thefts, false testimony, and blasphemies.
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20 These are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands doesn’t defile the man.”
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21 Jesus went out from there, and withdrew into the region of Tyre and Sidon.
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22 Behold, a Canaanite woman came out from those borders, and cried, saying, “Have mercy on me, Lord, you son of David! My daughter is severely possessed by a demon!”
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23 But he answered her not a word. His disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away; for she cries after us.”
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24 But he answered, “I wasn’t sent to anyone but the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
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25 But she came and worshiped him, saying, “Lord, help me.”
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26 But he answered, “It is not appropriate to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.”
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27 But she said, “Yes, Lord, but even the dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.”
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28 Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Be it done to you even as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that hour.
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29 Jesus departed from there, and came near to the sea of Galilee; and he went up into the mountain, and sat there.
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30 Great multitudes came to him, having with them the lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others, and they put them down at his feet. He healed them,
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31 so that the multitude wondered when they saw the mute speaking, the injured healed, the lame walking, and the blind seeing—and they glorified the God of Israel.
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32 Jesus summoned his disciples and said, “I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days and have nothing to eat. I don’t want to send them away fasting, or they might faint on the way.”
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33 The disciples said to him, “Where should we get so many loaves in a deserted place as to satisfy so great a multitude?”
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34 Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” They said, “Seven, and a few small fish.”
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35 He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground;
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36 and he took the seven loaves and the fish. He gave thanks and broke them, and gave to the disciples, and the disciples to the multitudes.
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37 They all ate, and were filled. They took up seven baskets full of the broken pieces that were left over.
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38 Those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children.
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39 Then he sent away the multitudes, got into the boat, and came into the borders of Magdala.
What This Chapter Is Really Saying
A Clash of Traditions
In Matthew 15, the Pharisees and scribes come from Jerusalem to challenge Jesus. They question why His disciples don't follow the tradition of washing their hands before eating. Jesus responds by pointing out that their own traditions often undermine God's commandments, specifically the command to honor one's parents.
Speaking from the Heart
Jesus calls the Pharisees hypocrites, quoting Isaiah to highlight their empty worship, which is more about following human rules than true devotion to God. He then draws a crowd and teaches them that it's not what goes into a person's mouth that makes them unclean, but what comes out of it - words and actions that reveal what's in the heart.
A Remarkable Encounter
Next, Jesus heads to the region of Tyre and Sidon, where a Canaanite woman asks for His help to heal her demon-possessed daughter. Initially, Jesus seems unresponsive, stating that He was sent only to the Israelites. However, the woman demonstrates incredible faith, arguing even dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table. Impressed, Jesus heals her daughter, showcasing that faith knows no boundaries.
A Compassionate Provider
After this encounter, Jesus returns to the Sea of Galilee, where crowds bring the sick and needy to Him. He heals many, and then, seeing that they have been with Him for three days without food, He expresses compassion. The disciples, puzzled about feeding such a large crowd, mention they have seven loaves and a few fish. Jesus blesses the food, and miraculously, everyone is fed, with leftovers filling seven baskets. This miracle emphasizes Jesus' ability to provide abundantly.
Why It Matters
Tradition vs. Commandment
Matthew 15 teaches us the importance of prioritizing God's commands over human traditions. It challenges us to examine our practices and beliefs to ensure they reflect true faith and devotion.
Faith Beyond Borders
The Canaanite woman's story reminds us that faith can come from unexpected places. It encourages us to embrace those who may not fit our traditional views, recognizing that God's grace is available to everyone.
Compassion in Action
Jesus' compassion for the hungry and hurting shows us the importance of caring for those in need. It inspires us to act with kindness and generosity, just as He did. If you're looking to serve or find a community that shares these values, you can find a church near you through the Sancta app.
The Power of Words
Finally, the emphasis on how our words reflect our hearts reminds us to speak kindly and truthfully. What we say can either uplift or harm others, making it essential to nurture a heart aligned with God's love.
Coming Up Next: Matthew 16
In the next part of our journey through Matthew, we will see Peter's bold declaration about Jesus' identity and the powerful implications it holds. Don't miss the unfolding events in Matthew 16!