Matthew 15:8

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 15:8

The quotation is from the Septuagint Version, with a slight variation from the text at the end. The Hebrew also differs a little; but the general meaning is not affected. With their mouth. They use the prescribed forms of worship, guard with much care the letter of Scripture, observe its legal and ceremonial enactments, are strict in the practice of all outward formalities. But their heart. This is what the prophets so constantly object. Prayers, sacrifices, etc., are altogether... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 15:8

Sincerity the keynote of piety. Formality is always imperilling piety. The representation of religious truths in ritual and ceremonial is a necessary condescension to the weakness of men, who want material aid in their effort to grasp spiritual things. But material things have a constant tendency to enslave men. And the enslaving work is done with so much subtlety that many a man who is a slave to his rituals, and to his rules, thinks himself to be a free man today. But, worse than that, and... 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 15:7-9

Matthew 15:7-9. Ye hypocrites To substitute superstitious observances of man’s invention, in the place of obedience to God’s commands, is downright hypocrisy; it is, however, the prerogative of Him who searches the heart, and knows what is in man, to pronounce who are hypocrites. And as hypocrisy is a sin which only his eye discovers, so it is a sin which above all others he abhors. Well did Esaias prophesy of you That is, the words which Isaiah addressed to your fathers are exactly... 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 15:8

This people. Quoted from Isaiah 29:13 . See App-107 and App-117 . is far = keepeth far distant. from = away from. Greek. apo . App-104 . read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Matthew 15:7-9

Matthew 15:7-9. Ye hypocrites, &c.— See note on Isaiah 29:13. In St. Mark, our Lord makes this citation at the beginning of his discourse, Mark 7:6-7. Possibly therefore he cited and applied it twice; first, at the beginning, as St. Mark tells us; and having proved that it was truly applicable to the Scribes and Pharisees, he applied it again at the conclusion of his argument, asSt. Matthew affirms. We have several examples of the like repetitions in the Gospels. See Mar 10:6-9 compared... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Matthew 15:8

8. This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, c.—By putting the commandments of men on a level with the divine requirements, their whole worship was rendered vain—a principle of deep moment in the service of God. "For," it is added in :-, "laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups and many other such like things ye do." The drivelling nature of their multitudinous observances is here pointedly exposed, in contrast with the manly... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 15:1-9

The charge and Jesus’ response 15:1-9 read more

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