Matthew 15

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 15:1

Then . This is after the third Passover, which whether our Lord attended or not, has been a matter of some dispute. Moral considerations would make us infer that he was present, fulfilling all righteousness, though there is no direct statement in our narratives on the subject. Came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying. The Sinaitic, B, and some other manuscripts read, Came to Jesus from Jerusalem scribes and Pharisees. This, which is virtually the reading of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 15:1-2

The right to reproach others. Though the address of these visitors is put in the form of a question, it is not really an inquiry, it is a reproach. Therefore it was properly met, not by an explanation, but by another question, which brought to others' view, if not to their own, their bad mind and intent. These Pharisees could see clearly enough what they thought was a "mote" in the eye of Jesus. They must be made to feel the "beam" that was in their own eye. Who were these men, and what... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 15:1-20

Discourse concerning ceremonial pollution. ( Mark 7:1-23 .) read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 15:1-20

Unwashen hands. I. CONTROVERSY WITH SCRIBES AND PHARISEES . 1 . They were of Jerusalem. It seems that a deputation had been sent by the leading inert in Jerusalem. The great discourse related in John 6:1-71 . had probably been reported to them; they had heard that the scribes and Pharisees of Galilee were unable to cope with our Lord; and they now sent some of their own body to watch him and to find opportunity for accusing him. Mark the reception which he met with on... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 15:1-20

On hand washing. The omission with which the Pharisees here charge the disciples was that of a ceremonial observance on which they laid immense stress. Certain washings for purification had been commanded by the Law of Moses, but to these countless additions of a minute and vexatious kind had been added by the rabbis. Even when no defilement had been consciously contracted, the washings must be observed because, unwittingly, a man might touch what would defile him. Wherever in religion such... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 15:1-20

Casuistry reproved. The fame of the miracles and ministry of Jesus passed from Galilee to Jerusalem, whence came certain Pharisees and scribes, who were probably sent to watch him, and find matter of accusation against him (cf. Matthew 22:15 , Matthew 22:16 ). "Jerusalem—the high school of hypocrisy. Rabbi Nathan says, 'If the hypocrites were divided into ten parts, nine would be found in Jerusalem, and one in the world beside'" (Stier). These zealots set up the traditions of the elders... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 15:2

Thy disciples. They had watched our Lord and his followers partaking of some meal, and doubtless Christ had acted in the same manner as his disciples. Open houses and food partaken of in public allowed this close observation without any infringement of Eastern courtesy. They come to Christ with the insidious question, because they consider him answerable for his disciples' doings (comp. Matthew 9:14 ; Matthew 12:2 ). They imply that his teaching has led to thee transgression on which... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 15:2-3

The mischief of tradition. I. TRADITION COMES FROM AN INEXPERIENCED ANTIQUITY . The Pharisees and scribes showed reverence for it because it descended from the elders; but these elders were only men. It is common to attach the greatest weight to the oldest opinion. Yet it is not correct to look for wisdom in antiquity; because, as Bacon reminds us, we are the ancients, and they who lived before us belonged to the childhood of the race. Under the Divine education of man wisdom... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 15:3

He answered. Christ does not formally defend his disciples, nor condemn the Pharisees for their ceremonial ablutions, but he turns to a matter of more importance, even a plain breach or evasion of a plain commandment. Ye also. If my disciples transgress a tradition of the ancients, ye too transgress, and that the commandment of God —an error of far graver character. His non-observance of these minutiae showed their unimportance, and called attention to the inward purity which they... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 15:4

Christ proceeds to give an instance of the evacuation of the Law by means of tradition. God commanded. Mark, in the parallel passage, has, "Moses said," which may be taken, in conjunction with our text, as conveying our Lord's testimony to the Divine origin of the Mosaic code. Christ cites the fifth commandment, because it more especially appealed to the conscience of every one, and was emphasized by the solemn enactment of death as the penalty of its infringement ( Exodus 20:12 ; ... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 15:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 15:1-2

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 15:1-20

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 15:1-20

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 15:1-20

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 15:1-20

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 15:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 15:2-3

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 15:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 15:4

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