Matthew 15:1-20
Q.1. Why did the Pharisees and Scribes complain to Jesus? How did Jesus expose their complaints? What was wrong with the way that the religious leaders viewed their religion? – (Mt.15:1-9)
Aaron and his sons were commanded to wash their hands and feet, before serving in the Tabernacle (Exo.30:17-21). Apart from that, there were rules for washing after touching anything unclean (Lev.22:4-7). The practice of the ritual washing was a tradition developed after the exile of Judah to Babylon. The ritual had little to do with hygiene. It was observed with the belief that through this showy routine of washing hands, they would gain merit with God (Mt.15:1-2). Jesus ignored the complaint from the Pharisees and Scribes, and responded by asking – … Why do you yourselves transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? (Mt.15:3). Jesus thus highlighted the Bible’s warning about adding to and taking from the inspired Word of God, by replacing obedience with meaningless ceremonies (Dt.4:2; 12:32; Rev.22:18-19). Jesus exposed their tradition of Corban i.e. given to God (c.f. Mk.7:11) which allowed them to neglect the care of their parents, and in effect disobey the fifth of the Ten Commandments (Mt.15:5 c.f. Exo.20:12; Dt.5:16). Jesus declared -… by this you invalidated the Word of God for the sake of your tradition (Mt.15:6). What blindness and hypocrisy was perpetuated by these leaders. Jesus summed it up by observing – 8 This people honours Me with their lips, but their heart is far away from Me. 9 But in vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men (Mt.15:8-9).
Q.2. To whom did Jesus explain the origin of defilement? Where does uncleanness come from? Why was it right for Jesus to expose the falsehood of the Pharisees and Scribes? – (Mt.15:10-14)
Later on, Jesus explained His confrontation to the crowds- It is not what enters into the mouth that defiles the man, but what proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man (Mt.15:11 c.f. Mt.15:10). The real problem is not external, but internal from the heart. Our thoughts, words, and actions come from within. His disciples were surprised that Jesus called the Pharisees – hypocrites (Mt.15:7 c.f. Mt.15:12). No one openly criticized the religious leaders. However, Jesus drove home the reality – … Every plant which My heavenly Father did not plant shall be uprooted (Mt.15:13). People needed to be warned about those who are blind guides, since they lead people into a pit, perhaps even the final abyss (Mt.15:14 c.f. Lk.8:31).
Q.3. To whom did Jesus explain the parable? From where does defilement come? How significant is man’s problem? How important are rules of etiquette and human traditions to God? – (Mt.15:15-20)
Later again, Peter asked Jesus to explain the parable (Mt.15:15-16). He gave them a simple biology lesson about the digestive system. God has designed us to take in food which in due time is eliminated safely (Mt.15:17). He then exposed the root problem of defilement: out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, and slanders (Mt.15:19). He reminded them – … to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the man (Mt.15:20).