Matthew 15:2

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

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 15:2

transgress. Greek. parabaino. App-128 . the elders. Greek. presbuteroi. Always used in the Papyri officially, not of age (old men), but of communal officers and heathen priests. wash not. To wash before eating is still a rigorous custom in Palestine. See App-136 . bread. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Species), App-6 , for all kinds of food. read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Matthew 15:1-2

Matthew 15:1-2. Then came to Jesus, &c.— The law of Moses required external cleanness as a part of religion: not however for its own sake, but to signify with what carefulness God's servants should purify their minds from moral pollutions: accordinglytheir duties are prescribed by Moses with such moderation, as was fitted to promote the end of them; but in process of time they came to be multiplied prodigiously: for the ancient doctors, to secure the observation of those precepts which were... read more

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

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

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

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 15:1-20

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 15:2

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Matthew 15:1-2

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