Jesus strategically quotes both the Decalogue (Exodus 20:12) and Isaiah's temple critique (29:13) to demolish religious authority through their own scriptural foundation.
Matthew 15
Traditions and Commandments
1Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem, saying,
2“Why do your disciples disobey the tradition of the elders? For they don’t wash their hands when they eat bread.”
3He answered them, “Why do you also disobey the commandment of God because of your tradition?
4For God commanded, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him be put to death.’
5But you say, ‘Whoever may tell his father or his mother, “Whatever help you might otherwise have gotten from me is a gift devoted to God,”
6he shall not honor his father or mother.’ You have made the commandment of God void because of your tradition.
7You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying,
8‘These people draw near to me with their mouth, and honor me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
9And they worship me in vain, teaching as doctrine rules made by men.’”
What Defiles a Person
10He summoned the multitude, and said to them, “Hear, and understand.
11That which enters into the mouth doesn’t defile the man; but that which proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man.”
12Then the disciples came and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?”
13But he answered, “Every plant which my heavenly Father didn’t plant will be uprooted.
14Leave them alone. They are blind guides of the blind. If the blind guide the blind, both will fall into a pit.”
15Peter answered him, “Explain the parable to us.”
16So Jesus said, “Do you also still not understand?
17Don’t you understand that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the belly and then out of the body?
18But the things which proceed out of the mouth come out of the heart, and they defile the man.
19For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual sins, thefts, false testimony, and blasphemies.
20These are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands doesn’t defile the man.”
The Faith of a Canaanite Woman
21Jesus went out from there and withdrew into the region of Tyre and Sidon.
22Behold, a Canaanite woman came out from those borders and cried, saying, “Have mercy on me, Lord, you son of David! My daughter is severely possessed by a demon!”
23But he answered her not a word. His disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away; for she cries after us.”
24But he answered, “I wasn’t sent to anyone but the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
25But she came and worshiped him, saying, “Lord, help me.”
26But he answered, “It is not appropriate to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.”
27But she said, “Yes, Lord, but even the dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.”
28Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Be it done to you even as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that hour.
Jesus Heals Many
29Jesus departed from there and came near to the sea of Galilee; and he went up on the mountain and sat there.
30Great multitudes came to him, having with them the lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others, and they put them down at his feet. He healed them,
31so that the multitude wondered when they saw the mute speaking, the injured healed, the lame walking, and the blind seeing—and they glorified the God of Israel.
Jesus Feeds the Four Thousand
32Jesus summoned his disciples and said, “I have compassion on the multitude, because they have continued with me now three days and have nothing to eat. I don’t want to send them away fasting, or they might faint on the way.”
33The disciples said to him, “Where could we get so many loaves in a deserted place as to satisfy so great a multitude?”
34Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” They said, “Seven, and a few small fish.”
35He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground;
36and he took the seven loaves and the fish. He gave thanks and broke them, and gave to the disciples, and the disciples to the multitudes.
37They all ate and were filled. They took up seven baskets full of the broken pieces that were left over.
38Those who ate were four thousand men, in addition to women and children.
39Then he sent away the multitudes, got into the boat, and came into the borders of Magdala.
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Theme
Jesus confronts the Pharisees over their elevation of human traditions above God's commandments, teaching that moral defilement comes from the heart rather than external ritual observance. He demonstrates the universal scope of his ministry by healing a Canaanite woman's daughter after she displays remarkable faith, then continues his compassionate work by healing many and miraculously feeding four thousand people. This chapter reveals Jesus's authority over both religious tradition and human need, showing how true faith transcends ethnic boundaries.
Context
Following Jesus's rejection in his hometown (chapter 14), this chapter shows his expanding ministry beyond traditional Jewish boundaries while continuing to challenge religious authorities.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-9 Confronting Religious Tradition Jesus challenges the Pharisees for prioritizing human traditions over God's commandments, calling them hypocrites who honor God with their lips but not their hearts.
- 10-20 Teaching on True Defilement Jesus explains to the crowds and disciples that moral contamination comes from evil thoughts and actions of the heart, not from external ritual impurity.
- 21-28 The Canaanite Woman's Faith A Gentile woman's persistent faith leads Jesus to heal her demon-possessed daughter, demonstrating that God's mercy extends beyond Israel.
- 29-31 Healing the Multitudes Jesus heals great crowds of people with various ailments, causing them to glorify the God of Israel.
- 32-39 Feeding the Four Thousand Moved by compassion for the hungry crowd, Jesus miraculously multiplies seven loaves and a few fish to feed four thousand men plus women and children.
Traditions and Commandments
15:1–15:9 narrative dialogue defiant
Jesus confronts the Pharisees and scribes about prioritizing human traditions over God's commandments, particularly regarding honoring parents.
quotation_chain
Jesus strategically quotes both the Decalogue (Exodus 20:12) and Isaiah's temple critique (29:13) to demolish religious authority through their own scriptural foundation.
What Defiles a Person
15:10–15:20 narrative instruction contemplative
Jesus teaches that moral defilement comes from the heart and evil thoughts, not from external things like eating with unwashed hands.
person_contrast
Jesus shifts from his typical authoritative proclamations to patient pedagogical explanation, first addressing crowds then privately instructing confused disciples about heart-based morality.
The Faith of a Canaanite Woman
15:21–15:28 narrative dialogue hopeful
A Canaanite woman persistently asks Jesus to heal her demon-possessed daughter, and Jesus commends her great faith and grants her request.
person_contrast
Jesus's initial silence and harsh metaphor about "dogs" creates dramatic irony, as the Canaanite woman's persistent faith ultimately earns higher praise than most Jewish characters receive in Matthew's Gospel.
Jesus Heals Many
15:29–15:31 gospel narration triumphant
Jesus heals great multitudes of people with various ailments near the Sea of Galilee. The crowds glorify God upon witnessing the miraculous healings of the lame, blind, mute, and maimed.
person_contrast
Matthew uniquely positions Jesus on a mountain—typically a place of divine authority and teaching—yet transforms it into a healing sanctuary where physical restoration replaces verbal instruction.
Jesus Feeds the Four Thousand
15:32–15:39 gospel narration tender
Jesus feeds four thousand people with seven loaves and a few fish after expressing compassion for the hungry crowd. Seven baskets of leftovers remain after everyone is satisfied.
person_contrast
Jesus's declaration "I have compassion" (σπλαγχνίζομαι) appears only here and in the parallel feeding miracle, marking these as Matthew's sole instances where Jesus explicitly names his emotional motivation for miraculous provision.
Insights
Jesus shifts from his typical authoritative proclamations to patient pedagogical explanation, first addressing crowds then privately instructing confused disciples about heart-based morality.
Jesus's initial silence and harsh metaphor about "dogs" creates dramatic irony, as the Canaanite woman's persistent faith ultimately earns higher praise than most Jewish characters receive in Matthew's Gospel.
Matthew uniquely positions Jesus on a mountain—typically a place of divine authority and teaching—yet transforms it into a healing sanctuary where physical restoration replaces verbal instruction.
Jesus's declaration "I have compassion" (σπλαγχνίζομαι) appears only here and in the parallel feeding miracle, marking these as Matthew's sole instances where Jesus explicitly names his emotional motivation for miraculous provision.
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
Matthew 15:1 4 references
Lexicals 4
Mark 7:1 Lexical
Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes gathered together to him, having come from Jerusalem.
Matthew 16:21 Lexical
From that time, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, c…
Matthew 12:38 Lexical
Then certain of the scribes and Pharisees answered, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.”
Matthew 9:14 Lexical
Then John’s disciples came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples don’t fast?”
Matthew 15:2 5 references
Lexicals 5
Mark 7:5 Lexical
The Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why don’t your disciples walk according to the tradition of the elders, but ea…
Mark 7:3 Lexical
(For the Pharisees and all the Jews don’t eat unless they wash their hands and forearms, holding to the tradition of the…
Matthew 26:26 Lexical
As they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks for it, and broke it. He gave to the disciples and said, “Take, eat;…
Luke 6:1 Lexical
Now on the second Sabbath after the first, he was going through the grain fields. His disciples plucked the heads of gra…
Mark 7:2 Lexical
Now when they saw some of his disciples eating bread with defiled, that is unwashed, hands, they found fault.
Matthew 15:4 5 references
Lexicals 5
Mark 7:10 Lexical
For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother;’ and, ‘He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him be put to dea…
Ephesians 6:2 Lexical
“Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with a promise:
Matthew 19:19 Lexical
‘Honor your father and your mother.’ And, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”
Luke 18:20 Lexical
You know the commandments: ‘Don’t commit adultery,’ ‘Don’t murder,’ ‘Don’t steal,’ ‘Don’t give false testimony,’ ‘Honor…
Mark 10:19 Lexical
You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not give false testimony,’ ‘Do…
Matthew 15:5 5 references
Lexicals 5
Mark 7:11 Lexical
But you say, ‘If a man tells his father or his mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban,”’” th…
1 Corinthians 14:6 Lexical
But now, brothers, if I come to you speaking with other languages, what would I profit you unless I speak to you either…
Matthew 12:50 Lexical
For whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.”
Mark 7:10 Lexical
For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother;’ and, ‘He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him be put to dea…
Mark 10:29 Lexical
Jesus said, “Most certainly I tell you, there is no one who has left house, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mothe…
Matthew 15:6 1 reference
Matthew 15:7 1 reference
Matthew 15:8 2 references
Matthew 15:9 2 references
Matthew 15:12 5 references
Lexicals 5
Matthew 9:14 Lexical
Then John’s disciples came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples don’t fast?”
John 6:61 Lexical
But Jesus knowing in himself that his disciples murmured at this, said to them, “Does this cause you to stumble?
Matthew 17:19 Lexical
Then the disciples came to Jesus privately, and said, “Why weren’t we able to cast it out?”
Matthew 13:36 Lexical
Then Jesus sent the multitudes away, and went into the house. His disciples came to him, saying, “Explain to us the para…
Matthew 22:15 Lexical
Then the Pharisees went and took counsel how they might entrap him in his talk.
Matthew 15:13 1 reference
Matthew 15:14 4 references
Lexicals 4
Luke 6:39 Lexical
He spoke a parable to them. “Can the blind guide the blind? Won’t they both fall into a pit?
Matthew 23:24 Lexical
You blind guides, who strain out a gnat, and swallow a camel!
Matthew 23:16 Lexical
“Woe to you, you blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of…
Romans 2:19 Lexical
and are confident that you yourself are a guide of the blind, a light to those who are in darkness,
Matthew 15:17 3 references
Lexicals 3
Mark 7:19 Lexical
because it doesn’t go into his heart, but into his stomach, then into the latrine, making all foods clean?”
Matthew 19:12 Lexical
For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother’s womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by me…
Mark 7:18 Lexical
He said to them, “Are you also without understanding? Don’t you perceive that whatever goes into the man from outside ca…
Matthew 15:19 3 references
Lexicals 3
Mark 7:21 Lexical
For from within, out of the hearts of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, sexual sins, murders, thefts,
Mark 7:22 Lexical
covetings, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, and foolishness.
Revelation 9:21 Lexical
They didn’t repent of their murders, their sorceries, their sexual immorality, or their thefts.
Matthew 15:21 5 references
Lexicals 5
Mark 7:31 Lexical
Again he departed from the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and came to the sea of Galilee through the middle of the region of…
Matthew 11:21 Lexical
“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which were done in…
Luke 10:14 Lexical
But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the judgment than for you.
Luke 10:13 Lexical
“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which were done in…
Mark 3:8 Lexical
from Jerusalem, from Idumaea, beyond the Jordan, and those from around Tyre and Sidon. A great multitude, hearing what g…
Matthew 15:22 5 references
Lexicals 5
Matthew 20:30 Lexical
Behold, two blind men sitting by the road, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us…
Matthew 8:34 Lexical
Behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus. When they saw him, they begged that he would depart from their borders.
Matthew 9:32 Lexical
As they went out, behold, a mute man who was demon possessed was brought to him.
Matthew 8:28 Lexical
When he came to the other side, into the country of the Gergesenes, two people possessed by demons met him there, coming…
Matthew 9:22 Lexical
But Jesus, turning around and seeing her, said, “Daughter, cheer up! Your faith has made you well.” And the woman was ma…
Matthew 15:23 3 references
Lexicals 3
Matthew 14:15 Lexical
When evening had come, his disciples came to him, saying, “This place is deserted, and the hour is already late. Send th…
Luke 20:3 Lexical
He answered them, “I also will ask you one question. Tell me:
Matthew 21:24 Lexical
Jesus answered them, “I also will ask you one question, which if you tell me, I likewise will tell you by what authority…
Matthew 15:24 2 references
Matthew 15:26 2 references
Matthew 15:27 1 reference
Matthew 15:28 5 references
Lexicals 5
Matthew 9:22 Lexical
But Jesus, turning around and seeing her, said, “Daughter, cheer up! Your faith has made you well.” And the woman was ma…
Matthew 8:13 Lexical
Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way. Let it be done for you as you have believed.” His servant was healed in that…
James 2:20 Lexical
But do you want to know, vain man, that faith apart from works is dead?
Hebrews 11:24 Lexical
By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter,
John 5:35 Lexical
He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.
Matthew 15:29 5 references
Lexicals 5
Matthew 17:20 Lexical
He said to them, “Because of your unbelief. For most certainly I tell you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed,…
Matthew 14:23 Lexical
After he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into the mountain by himself to pray. When evening had come, he was th…
John 6:3 Lexical
Jesus went up into the mountain, and he sat there with his disciples.
Mark 1:16 Lexical
Passing along by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net into the sea, for they…
Matthew 4:18 Lexical
Walking by the sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers: Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew, his brother, casting a net i…
Matthew 15:30 5 references
Lexicals 5
Matthew 21:14 Lexical
The lame and the blind came to him in the temple, and he healed them.
Matthew 18:8 Lexical
If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into lif…
Matthew 11:5 Lexical
the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the po…
Luke 7:22 Lexical
Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John the things which you have seen and heard: that the blind receive their sight, the…
Acts 8:7 Lexical
For unclean spirits came out of many of those who had them. They came out, crying with a loud voice. Many who had been p…
Matthew 15:31 5 references
Lexicals 5
Matthew 11:5 Lexical
the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the po…
Luke 7:22 Lexical
Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John the things which you have seen and heard: that the blind receive their sight, the…
Matthew 9:33 Lexical
When the demon was cast out, the mute man spoke. The multitudes marveled, saying, “Nothing like this has ever been seen…
Matthew 12:22 Lexical
Then one possessed by a demon, blind and mute, was brought to him; and he healed him, so that the blind and mute man bot…
Luke 11:14 Lexical
He was casting out a demon, and it was mute. When the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke; and the multitudes marvele…
Matthew 15:32 5 references
Lexicals 5
Mark 8:2 Lexical
“I have compassion on the multitude, because they have stayed with me now three days and have nothing to eat.
Mark 8:3 Lexical
If I send them away fasting to their home, they will faint on the way, for some of them have come a long way.”
Mark 8:1 Lexical
In those days, when there was a very great multitude, and they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to himself…
Matthew 14:15 Lexical
When evening had come, his disciples came to him, saying, “This place is deserted, and the hour is already late. Send th…
Mark 8:34 Lexical
He called the multitude to himself with his disciples and said to them, “Whoever wants to come after me, let him deny hi…
Matthew 15:33 5 references
Lexicals 5
Mark 8:4 Lexical
His disciples answered him, “From where could one satisfy these people with bread here in a deserted place?”
John 6:5 Lexical
Jesus therefore, lifting up his eyes and seeing that a great multitude was coming to him, said to Philip, “Where are we…
Mark 3:20 Lexical
The multitude came together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread.
Luke 12:1 Lexical
Meanwhile, when a multitude of many thousands had gathered together, so much so that they trampled on each other, he beg…
Luke 9:16 Lexical
He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to the sky, he blessed them, broke them, and gave them to the d…
Matthew 15:34 3 references
Matthew 15:36 5 references
Lexicals 5
Mark 8:6 Lexical
He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground, and he took the seven loaves. Having given thanks, he broke them a…
Matthew 14:19 Lexical
He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass; and he took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to he…
Luke 22:19 Lexical
He took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body which is given for y…
Acts 27:35 Lexical
When he had said this and had taken bread, he gave thanks to God in the presence of all; then he broke it and began to e…
Matthew 26:26 Lexical
As they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks for it, and broke it. He gave to the disciples and said, “Take, eat;…
Matthew 15:37 5 references
Lexicals 5
Mark 8:8 Lexical
They ate and were filled. They took up seven baskets of broken pieces that were left over.
Matthew 14:20 Lexical
They all ate and were filled. They took up twelve baskets full of that which remained left over from the broken pieces.
Luke 9:17 Lexical
They ate and were all filled. They gathered up twelve baskets of broken pieces that were left over.
Mark 8:20 Lexical
“When the seven loaves fed the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” They told him, “S…
Mark 8:19 Lexical
When I broke the five loaves among the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” They told…
Matthew 15:38 2 references
Matthew 15:39 5 references
Lexicals 5
Matthew 14:22 Lexical
Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side, while he sent the multitud…
Mark 4:1 Lexical
Again he began to teach by the seaside. A great multitude was gathered to him, so that he entered into a boat in the sea…
Luke 5:3 Lexical
He entered into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. He sat down and ta…
Mark 6:45 Lexical
Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go ahead to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he himself sent…
Matthew 13:2 Lexical
Great multitudes gathered to him, so that he entered into a boat and sat; and all the multitude stood on the beach.
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