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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 15:5

But ye say. In direct contradiction to what "God commanded" It is a gift , etc. This is better rendered, That wherewith, thou mightest have been benefited by me is Corban ; i.e. is given, dedicated to God. The vow to consecrate his savings, even at death, to the temple absolved a man from the duty of succouring his parents. It was further ruled that if a son, from any motive whatever, pronounced any aid to his parents to be corban, he was thenceforward precluded from affording them... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 15:5

Schemes for shirking obligation. Human relationships involve obligations. Our relations with God bring the supreme obligations. But here is the patent fact—response to our obligations toward God always carries with it response to our natural obligations toward man. The pious man cannot be pious if he is unfaithful and unkind to his father and mother. All the professions men ever made would form no excuse for the neglect of our natural duties to our parents. And this tests the seeming... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 15:1-9

See also Mark 7:1-9.Then came to Jesus ... - Mark says that they saw the disciples of Jesus eating with unwashed hands.Matthew 15:2Transgress the tradition of the elders - The world “elders” literally means “old men.” Here it means the “ancients,” or their “ancestors.” The “tradition of the elders” meant something handed down from one to another by memory; some precept or custom not commanded in the written law, but which scribes and Pharisees held themselves bound to observe.They supposed that... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 15:1-6

Matthew 15:1-6. Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees See notes on Mark 7:1-23, where the facts here spoken of are related more at large. Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders That is, of the principal doctors or teachers among the Jews. They wash not when they eat bread Food in general is termed bread in the Hebrew: so that to eat bread is the same as to make a meal. But he said, Why do ye also, &c. As if he had said, Nay; but I may with much greater... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 15:1-20

69. Teaching about cleansing (Matthew 15:1-20; Mark 7:1-23)A common practice of the Jews in Jesus’ time was the ceremonial washing of hands. They believed that those who came in contact with ‘unclean’ people or things had to pour water over their hands to cleanse themselves. This was not a command of the law of Moses but a tradition of the Pharisees (Mark 7:1-5). Jesus argued that such traditions not only caused people to misunderstand the law, but stopped them from doing the more important... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 15:5

It is. Supply ("Be that"] instead of "It is". a gift = dedicated to God. thou: i.e. the parent. profited = helped. by = of. Greek. ek. me: i.e. the son. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 15:5

But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, That wherewith thou mightest have been profited by me is given to God; he shall not honor his father. And ye have made void the word of God because of your tradition.The Pharisees were making a secondary duty the excuse for denying a primary one, a device observed continually in all ages. By dedicating his properties to the temple, the selfish man, by reserving a life estate in his possessions, could legally deny any aid or support of... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Matthew 15:3-6

Matthew 15:3-6. But he answered, &c.— It was easy for our Lord to retort upon the Pharisees the charge of impiety which they had brought against his disciples, being themselves guilty of the grossest violations of the divine law, through the regard which they shewed to their own traditions. Accordingly, he produces an instance of an atrocious kind: "God (says he) hascommanded children to honour their parents;" that is to say, among other things, to maintain them when reduced; for as the... read more

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