Matthew 15 Matthew 15 - Teaching about Defilement

1 Clean and Unclean
Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked,

2 “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat!”

3 Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?

4 For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’

5 But you say that if a man says to his father or mother, ‘Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is a gift devoted to God,’

6 he is not to ‘honor his father’ with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition.

7 You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you:

8 “‘These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.

9 They worship me in vain;
their teachings are but rules taught by men.’”

10 Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen and understand.

11 What goes into a man’s mouth does not make him ‘unclean,’ but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him ‘unclean.’”

12 Then the disciples came to him and asked, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?”

13 He replied, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots.

14 Leave them; they are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”

15 Peter said, “Explain the parable to us.”

16 “Are you still so dull?” Jesus asked them.

17 “Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body?

18 But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean.’

19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.

20 These are what make a man ‘unclean’; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him ‘unclean.’”

21 The Faith of the Canaanite Woman
Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.

22 A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession.”

23 Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”

24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”

25 The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.

26 He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.”

27 “Yes, Lord,” she said, “but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.”

28 Then Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

29 Jesus Feeds the Four Thousand
Jesus left there and went along the Sea of Galilee. Then he went up on a mountainside and sat down.

30 Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them.

31 The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel.

32 Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.”

33 His disciples answered, “Where could we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd?”

34 “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked.
“Seven,” they replied, “and a few small fish.”

35 He told the crowd to sit down on the ground.

36 Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people.

37 They all ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.

38 The number of those who ate was four thousand, besides women and children.

39 After Jesus had sent the crowd away, he got into the boat and went to the vicinity of Magadan.

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Analysis of Matthew Chapter 15

Matthew 15 is a compelling chapter where Jesus confronts both religious leaders and cultural norms. It contains profound teachings about inner purity, faith, and the power of genuine belief. Let’s delve into the various sections of this chapter to uncover its rich layers of meaning.

Verses 1-9: Jesus and the Traditions of the Elders

The chapter begins with the Pharisees and scribes confronting Jesus about His disciples’ failure to adhere to traditional ceremonial handwashing before eating:

“Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.” (Matthew 15:1-2, KJV)

Jesus responds by pointing out their hypocrisy and prioritizing human traditions over God’s commandments:

“But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; 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.” (Matthew 15:3-6, KJV)

In these verses, Jesus emphasizes that the commandments of God should always take precedence over human traditions. He criticizes the Pharisees and scribes for allowing their customs to overshadow the moral and ethical demands of God’s law. This section highlights the danger of letting rituals and external practices become more important than the essence of God’s commandments, which are meant to shape our inner character and actions towards others.

Interpretation and Relevance

This confrontation remains relevant today, as it prompts believers to examine their own practices and attitudes. Are we adhering to the true spirit of God’s instructions, or are we caught up in rituals that may have lost their intended meaning? Jesus’ teaching encourages a heart-centered faith that reflects genuine obedience to God’s will, rather than merely outward observances.

Verses 10-20: True Defilement

Jesus then addresses the crowd and His disciples about the true nature of defilement:

“And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.” (Matthew 15:10-11, KJV)

This teaching confounds the traditional Jewish view of ritual cleanliness, which focused heavily on dietary laws. Jesus further explains the concept to His disciples:

“But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashed hands defileth not a man.” (Matthew 15:18-20, KJV)

Here, Jesus profoundly shifts the focus from external practices to the condition of the human heart. It is not the physical act of eating with unwashed hands or consuming specific foods that makes a person unclean before God. Rather, it is the moral and ethical impurities—emanating from the heart—that truly defile a person. This concept underscores that spiritual cleanliness is fundamentally about one’s inner life, thoughts, and intentions.

Interpretation and Relevance

This message is poignant for modern readers, prompting self-examination and introspection. It calls for an understanding of purity rooted in moral integrity and righteous intentions. Jesus’ words challenge believers to focus less on external religious observances and more on cultivating a pure heart and mind, which naturally translates into ethical behavior.

Verses 21-28: The Faith of the Canaanite Woman

The narrative shifts to Jesus’ interaction with a Canaanite woman, illustrating the power of persistent faith:

“And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.” (Matthew 15:22-23, KJV)

Initially, Jesus does not respond to her pleas, and the disciples urge Him to send her away. When He does speak, His words appear to dismiss her:

“But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs.” (Matthew 15:24-26, KJV)

Undeterred, the woman persists and responds with humility and faith:

“And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table. Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.” (Matthew 15:27-28, KJV)

This encounter is rich with meaning. The Canaanite woman’s persistence and deep faith in Jesus’ power are commendable. Her response to Jesus’ challenging words reveals her humility and unwavering belief. Jesus’ subsequent commendation of her faith and His healing of her daughter illustrate the boundless nature of God’s mercy and the immense power of genuine faith, regardless of one’s background or status.

Interpretation and Relevance

This story invites reflection on the inclusivity of God’s salvation and the importance of persistent faith. It teaches believers to persist in their prayers and trust in God’s mercy, even when answers seem delayed or unexpected. The woman’s faith transcends cultural and ethnic barriers, showcasing that God’s grace is available to all who seek it earnestly.

Verses 29-39: Miracles of Healing and Feeding

As Jesus travels along the Sea of Galilee, He performs numerous healings and then miraculously feeds four thousand people:

“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: 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.” (Matthew 15:30-31, KJV)

Despite showing immense compassion, Jesus remains sensitive to the needs of the crowd:

“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.” (Matthew 15:32, KJV)

Again, He performs a miraculous provision:

“And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full. And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children.” (Matthew 15:37-38, KJV)

This event parallels the earlier feeding of the five thousand (Matthew 14:13-21), further demonstrating Jesus’ compassion, power, and provision.

Interpretation and Relevance

The miracles of healing and feeding illustrate Jesus’ profound compassion and His divine ability to meet both spiritual and physical needs. These acts serve as a tangible manifestation of God’s kingdom breaking into the world. They remind believers of God’s providence and care, encouraging trust in His willingness to provide and heal.

Conclusion

Matthew 15 offers a deep exploration of themes central to Jesus’ ministry: genuine faith, true purity, and God’s inclusive mercy. Jesus confronts the superficial adherence to traditions that neglect the essence of God’s commandments, emphasizing a heart-centered faith focused on moral and ethical purity. The interaction with the Canaanite woman underscores the power of persistent, humble faith that transcends cultural boundaries. Finally, the miracles of healing and feeding reveal Jesus’ compassion and divine provision, reinforcing the availability of God’s grace to all who seek it.

For contemporary readers, this chapter provides valuable lessons on the nature of true worship and the importance of aligning one’s heart with God’s will. It encourages believers to move beyond external rituals and live out a faith marked by genuine love, humility, and trust in God’s unending mercy and care.

Understanding the Key Messages in Matthew 15: Insights and Explanation

In this chapter, Jesus teaches about the defilement that comes from within, rather than from external sources. He confronts the Pharisees and scribes who prioritize human traditions over God's commands. Jesus heals many people and feeds four thousand with just seven loaves and a few fish.

Notes

This chapter highlights Jesus' emphasis on internal purity and challenges the religious leaders' prioritization of outward rituals. It also demonstrates Jesus' miraculous power to heal and provide for the people.