In a world buzzing with tradition and expectation, Matthew 15 reveals Jesus boldly challenging the norms of his time. This chapter is a masterclass in understanding what truly matters: faith and the heart behind our actions.
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
Tradition vs God's Commandments
Matthew 15 opens with the Pharisees and scribes questioning Jesus about why his disciples don't wash their hands before eating. This was a big deal in their culture, rooted in tradition. Jesus flips the script, asking why they prioritize their traditions over God's commandments, specifically pointing out how they've twisted the command to honor parents by making excuses not to help them financially.
The Heart of the Matter
Jesus emphasizes that it's not what goes into a person's mouth that makes them unclean, but what comes out of it. He explains that words reveal the true nature of the heart. This challenges his listeners to focus on inner purity rather than mere external rituals.
A Canaanite Woman's Faith
Next, we meet a Canaanite woman who cries out for help for her demon-possessed daughter. Initially, Jesus seems dismissive, stating he was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel. Yet, her persistent and humble response reminds him of the breadth of God's mercy, and he commends her great faith, healing her daughter on the spot.
Feeding the Multitude
After this, Jesus departs to Galilee, where he performs another miracle. After teaching and healing many, he notices the crowd is hungry. His disciples question how to feed such a large group in a deserted place. With just seven loaves and a few fish, Jesus miraculously feeds 4,000 men, plus women and children, leaving seven baskets of leftovers. This display reaffirms his compassion and divine authority.
Why It Matters
Tradition vs Heart
One important lesson from Matthew 15 is the distinction between human traditions and the heart of God's commandments. Jesus teaches that rituals are meaningless without genuine devotion. It prompts us to examine our own practices and ensure they align with authentic faith.
The Power of Faith
The Canaanite woman's story is a powerful reminder of persistent faith. Despite cultural barriers and initial rejection, she demonstrates unwavering trust in Jesus. Her story encourages us to approach God boldly, knowing he hears our cries and values our faith.
Compassion in Action
Finally, Jesus's compassion shines through in the feeding of the multitude. He recognizes physical needs alongside spiritual ones, teaching us the importance of caring for others holistically. In our communities, we can embody this compassion by meeting both spiritual and practical needs. If you're looking for a church community that embodies this spirit, find a church near you.
These lessons from Matthew 15 remind us to focus on authentic faith, the power of persistence, and the importance of compassionate action in our everyday lives.
Coming Up Next: Matthew 16
In the next part of the journey, Matthew 16, we'll witness Peter's remarkable declaration about Jesus' identity and explore the significance of faith in the divine. Don't miss the unfolding story!