‏ Matthew 15

Jesus Confronts the Pharisees about Traditions

This section describes how the Pharisees and scribes from Jerusalem came to question Jesus about his disciples’ behavior. They were upset because Jesus’ disciples did not follow the traditional rules about washing hands before eating. Jesus used this challenge to teach about the difference between God’s commandments and human traditions. He showed that the Pharisees cared more about their own rules than about obeying God. Jesus explained that true defilement comes from within a person, not from what they eat or how they wash their hands.

v. 1: Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, Some important religious leaders from Jerusalem came to see Jesus. They wanted to challenge him and find something wrong with his teaching (Matthew 15:1 ^a).

v. 2: Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. They asked Jesus why his disciples did not follow the traditional rules about washing hands before eating. These rules were not part of God’s law, but were customs made by religious leaders over many years (Matthew 15:2 ^b).

v. 3: But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? Jesus replied by asking why they let their own traditions break God’s commandments. He showed that keeping traditions is not as important as obeying God’s Word (Matthew 15:3 ^c).

v. 4: For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. Jesus reminded them that God’s law says to honor your parents and that cursing parents is a serious sin (Exodus 20:12; Exodus 21:17 ^d).

v. 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; But the Pharisees taught that if someone told their parents that their help was a “gift” dedicated to God, they didn’t have to help their parents anymore. This tradition let people avoid their real responsibilities (Matthew 15:5 ^e).

v. 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. By following this tradition, people could ignore God’s command to honor their parents. Jesus said their rules made God’s law useless (Matthew 15:6 ^f).

v. 7: Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, Jesus called them hypocrites and quoted the prophet Isaiah, showing that their attitude was not new (Matthew 15:7; Isaiah 29:13 ^g).

v. 8: This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. Jesus said that, just like Isaiah wrote, these religious leaders acted like they honored God, but their hearts were not really devoted to him (Matthew 15:8 ^h).

v. 9: But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. Jesus explained that their worship was empty because they taught people to follow human rules instead of God’s commands (Matthew 15:9 ⁱ).

In summary, Jesus teaches that obeying God’s commandments is more important than following human traditions. He warns that outward actions, like hand washing, do not make a person clean or unclean in God’s eyes. Instead, true worship comes from the heart, and we must put God’s Word above all human customs.

What Truly Defiles a Person

In this section, Jesus speaks to the crowd to explain what really makes a person unclean. The Pharisees focused on outward rituals, but Jesus teaches that what comes from inside a person—their words and actions—shows what they are really like. True defilement is not about food or washing, but about the sin that comes from the heart. Jesus also warns his disciples not to be offended by the Pharisees’ traditions, and explains that God’s plants will last, while human traditions will be uprooted.

v. 10: And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: Jesus called the crowd and told them to listen carefully and understand his teaching. He wanted everyone to know the truth, not just the religious leaders (Matthew 15:10 ^j).

v. 11: Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. Jesus taught that eating food or not washing hands does not make someone unclean before God. Instead, it is the evil and sinful words and actions that come out of a person that make them truly unclean (Matthew 15:11 ^k).

v. 12: Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? The disciples told Jesus that the Pharisees were offended by what he said. The religious leaders did not like Jesus challenging their traditions (Matthew 15:12 ^l).

v. 13: But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Jesus answered that anything not planted by God will be removed. This means that traditions and teachings not from God will not last, but only God’s truth remains forever (Matthew 15:13 ^m).

v. 14: Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. Jesus warned that the Pharisees were like blind guides. If people follow leaders who do not know God’s truth, they will both end up in trouble (Matthew 15:14 ⁿ).

v. 15: Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable. Peter asked Jesus to explain what he meant by his teaching (Matthew 15:15 ^o).

v. 16: And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding? Jesus was surprised that his disciples did not yet understand the difference between outward rituals and true inner purity (Matthew 15:16 ^p).

v. 17: Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? Jesus explained that food goes through the body and does not affect a person’s heart or spirit (Matthew 15:17 ^q).

v. 18: But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. The real problem is what comes out of the heart—evil words and actions. These are what truly make a person unclean before God (Matthew 15:18 ^r).

v. 19: For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: Jesus lists the sins that come from the heart and defile a person: evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, stealing, lying, and blasphemy (Matthew 15:19 ^s).

v. 20: These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man. Jesus concludes that these sins are what truly make a person unclean—not eating with unwashed hands (Matthew 15:20 ^t).

In summary, Jesus teaches that what is in our hearts is more important than outward rituals. Sinful actions and words show what is really inside us. God wants us to be clean on the inside, not just to follow religious traditions on the outside.

The Faith of the Canaanite Woman

This section tells the story of a Canaanite woman who came to Jesus to ask for healing for her daughter. Even though she was not from Israel, she showed great faith and humility. Jesus at first seemed to turn her away, but her persistent faith led to her daughter’s healing. This passage teaches about faith, humility, and how God’s mercy can reach anyone who truly seeks Him.

v. 21–22: Jesus left the area of Galilee and went to the region of Tyre and Sidon, outside of Israel. A Canaanite woman from that place came to Him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon possession.” Even though she was a Gentile and not part of God’s chosen people, she believed Jesus could help her. She called Him “Son of David,” showing that she recognized Him as the Messiah. This woman’s love for her daughter and her trust in Jesus made her come forward, even though she was not an Israelite.

–

v. 23: At first, Jesus did not answer her at all. His silence tested her faith. The disciples wanted Jesus to send her away because she kept crying out after them. They were probably annoyed or uncomfortable with her persistent begging. Sometimes, God seems silent to our prayers to test how serious and humble we are in seeking Him.

v. 24: Jesus said, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” He explained that His main mission was first to the Jewish people. This was not to exclude others forever, but to show the order of God’s salvation plan. The woman was not discouraged by this answer. She still believed Jesus could help her.

v. 25: The woman came closer, knelt before Jesus, and pleaded, “Lord, help me!” Her faith was humble and persistent. She was not too proud to beg for mercy. She showed respect and worship by kneeling before Him.

v. 26: Jesus replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.” He used a picture to show that the blessings meant for Israel were not to be given to others first. In those days, Jews sometimes looked down on Gentiles and called them “dogs.” But Jesus used a word for little dogs or household pets—He was testing her faith and humility, not trying to insult her.

v. 27: She answered, “Yes, Lord, but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” The woman agreed with Jesus’ words and did not argue. She only asked for a small part of His mercy, like a crumb falling from the table. Her answer showed great faith and humility—she trusted that even a little bit of Jesus’ power was enough to save her daughter.

v. 28: Then Jesus said, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour. Jesus praised her faith in front of everyone. Her story teaches us that God is pleased with humble, persistent faith, and that His mercy can reach all people who trust in Him, no matter where they are from.

Jesus Heals Many and Feeds Four Thousand

In this section, Jesus moves to another area near the Sea of Galilee. Large crowds come to him, bringing people who are sick or disabled. Jesus heals them all, showing his compassion and power. The people are amazed and praise the God of Israel. After three days, Jesus sees that the crowd is hungry and has compassion on them. He performs another miracle by feeding four thousand men, plus women and children, with just a few loaves and fish. This event demonstrates Jesus’ care for both the spiritual and physical needs of the people, and it shows that he is able to provide abundantly, even in the wilderness.

v. 29: And Jesus departed from thence, and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there. Jesus left that region and went near the Sea of Galilee. He went up on a mountainside and sat down. This shows that Jesus often found quiet places to teach and help people, even in the midst of busy crowds (Matthew 15:29 ^u).

v. 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: Many crowds came to Jesus, bringing people with all kinds of sicknesses and disabilities. They put these people at Jesus’ feet, and he healed every one of them. This shows Jesus’ great power and compassion for all people, no matter their condition (Matthew 15:30 ^v).

v. 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. The people were amazed when they saw the miracles—those who could not speak now spoke, those who could not walk were healed, and the blind could see. The crowds praised the God of Israel for what Jesus had done (Matthew 15:31 ^w).

v. 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. After three days, Jesus called his disciples and said he felt compassion for the crowd because they had nothing to eat. He did not want to send them away hungry, in case they collapsed on the way home. This shows Jesus’ care for people’s physical needs as well as their spiritual needs (Matthew 15:32 ^x).

v. 33: And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude? The disciples asked Jesus how they could possibly find enough bread in such a remote place to feed so many people. This shows that the disciples often did not understand how Jesus would provide for such needs (Matthew 15:33 ^y).

v. 34: And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes. Jesus asked how much food they had. They answered that there were seven loaves and a few small fish. This small amount seemed far too little for such a large crowd (Matthew 15:34 ^z).

v. 35–36: 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. Jesus told the crowd to sit down. He took the bread and fish, gave thanks, broke them, and gave them to his disciples to hand out to the people. This act of giving thanks before eating is an example for all believers (Matthew 15:35-36 ^aa).

–

v. 37: And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full. Everyone ate and was satisfied. Afterward, they collected seven baskets full of leftovers. This miracle shows that Jesus can provide more than enough for everyone (Matthew 15:37 ^ab).

v. 38: And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children. About four thousand men ate, not counting women and children. The crowd was very large, but Jesus’ provision was still enough for all (Matthew 15:38 ^ac).

v. 39: And he sent away the multitude, and took ship, and came into the coasts of Magdala. After feeding the people, Jesus sent them away. Then he got into a boat and went to the area of Magdala. Jesus often moved from place to place to continue teaching and helping others (Matthew 15:39 ^ad).

In summary, Matthew 15:29–39 shows Jesus’ compassion for people in both their suffering and their hunger. He healed many, and he miraculously fed a huge crowd with just a small amount of food, teaching us to trust him to supply all our needs.