The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 15:1-20
Discourse concerning ceremonial pollution. ( Mark 7:1-23 .) read more
马太福音 15:17-20 Cunpss
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
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 15:11-20
The secret of human defilement. It is quite possible to exaggerate in presenting the teachings of our Lord in these verses. We do so if we make too absolute the distinction between what goes into a man and what comes out of a man. Our Lord's illustration needs to be kept within its natural and proper limits. The Pharisees had objected to the disciples eating their bread with unwashen hands, their notion being that something causing ceremonial defilement might be upon their hands, and this... read more
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 15:17
Whatsoever entereth in at the mouth, etc. Food taken into the mouth goes into the stomach, is assimilated into the bodily system, and its refuse passes away to the draught ( ἀφεδρῶνα ), the necessary house. It has nothing to do with the heart or the moral being; it affects only the material organization, and has no connection with the spiritual. Christ does not concern himself with questions, which modern philosophers would attempt to solve, concerning the mutual influence of soul and... read more
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 15:18
Those things. He does not assert that everything which issues from a man's mouth defiles him; for, as was said above on Matthew 15:11 , many good things may come from a man's mouth; but he means that the evil to which he gives utterance is fraught with pollution to his moral nature. From the heart. The heart stands for soul, mind, spirit, will, the whole inner man, that which makes him what he is, a conscious, intelligent, responsible being. Hence are attributed to it not only words, but... read more
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 15:19
Out of the heart proceed. The shameful catalogue which follows is less full than that in St. Mark, which contains thirteen items, while this consists of seven only. These are produced or created by the human will, of which the heart is the symbol. Evil thoughts ( διαλογισμοὶ πονηροί ) . Some would translate the words, "evil machinations." But there is no need to change the usual rendering, which is very appropriate here. Evil thoughts are the preparation of all other sins, and have a... read more
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 15:20
Thus Jesus sums up what has been said, and recalls the circumstance which led to the discourse, emphatically repeating his judgment on the Pharisaical gloss. read more
Subscribe
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
Most Searched
Group of Brands
© 2025 Bibleportal.com All rights reserved.
John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 15:20
Verse 20 And pollute the man. Instead of the verb pollute, the Greek term is κοινοῖ, make common; as Mark, a little before, ( Mark 7:2,) used the phrase, κοιναῖς χερσὶ, with common hands, for with unclean hands. (412) It is a Hebrew phrase; (413) for, since God had set apart the Jews on the condition that they should separate themselves from all the pollutions of the Gentiles, everything that was inconsistent with this holiness was called common, that is, profane. read more