G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - Matthew 15:1-39
The question was not of cleanliness, but of ritual. This washing of hands to remove imaginary evil was a part of the tradition of the elders. Against the binding of such burdens on men our Lord passionately protests. 'The commandment of God" (verse Mat 15:3 ). This is the one and only burden that men ought to bear, and this fact our Lord proceeded to enforce by illustration and teaching. Then going into Tyre and Sidon, we have one of the sweetest stories of them all-the mother heart carrying... read more
F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - Matthew 15:1-9
God’s Truth above Men’s Teaching Matthew 15:1-9 The legal washing of hands before eating was especially sacred in the eyes of the Pharisees. “He who does not wash His hands before eating,” says the Talmud, “is as bad as a murderer.” Jesus had no sympathy with a system that reduced religion to a slavery to outward forms. His new kingdom was in the heart, in loving sonship to God, and in faith. All outward observances had value only as expressions of the inner spirit. He waived aside their... read more