Matthew 15

Matthew 15 explores themes of tradition versus commandment, genuine faith, and the importance of inner purity over outward actions. Jesus confronts the Pharisees about their focus on human traditions at the expense of God’s commands. He teaches that what defiles a person comes from the heart rather than external factors. The chapter also includes the faith of a Canaanite woman and the feeding of the four thousand, highlighting both the inclusion of Gentiles in God's kingdom and Jesus’ compassion for people’s physical and spiritual needs.

Matthew 15:1-2 (NKJV)
1 Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying,
2 “Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.”

The Pharisees and scribes confront Jesus, questioning why His disciples don’t follow the traditional handwashing rituals. This ritual, not commanded in the Law, was part of the Pharisees’ added traditions to symbolize cleanliness. Jesus’ response addresses the deeper issue of prioritizing man-made traditions over God’s commandments, which would soon unfold in His dialogue with them.

Matthew 15:3-6 (NKJV)
3 He answered and said to them, “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?
4 For God commanded, saying, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’
5 But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God”—
6 then he need not honor his father or mother.’ Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition.”

Jesus highlights the Pharisees' hypocrisy by contrasting God's command to honor parents with their tradition that allowed people to avoid caring for their parents by dedicating resources to the temple. This practice nullified God’s command in favor of human traditions. Jesus exposes the hollowness of traditions that ignore genuine love and respect for others, especially family.

Matthew 15:7-9 (NKJV)
7 Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about 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.
9 And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”

Quoting Isaiah, Jesus condemns the Pharisees as hypocrites. Their outward actions of worship and devotion are meaningless because their hearts are not aligned with God. Jesus emphasizes that worship becomes empty when it’s rooted in human rules rather than in a genuine relationship with God. This message resonates with His call for authenticity in worship and obedience.

Matthew 15:10-11 (NKJV)
10 When He had called the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear and understand:
11 Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.”

Addressing the crowd, Jesus clarifies that external things, like food, don’t spiritually defile a person. Instead, it’s what comes out from within—words and actions—that reflects a person’s true character. By shifting the focus from external purity to internal purity, Jesus challenges the Pharisaic emphasis on ritual over moral integrity.

Matthew 15:12-14 (NKJV)
12 Then His disciples came and said to Him, “Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?”
13 But He answered and said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted.
14 Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.”

The disciples inform Jesus that the Pharisees are offended by His teaching. Jesus responds by dismissing their authority, likening them to “blind leaders.” He implies that their man-made traditions lack God’s approval and will ultimately fail. His words underscore the danger of following leaders who are spiritually blind, which leads to misguided and harmful outcomes.

Matthew 15:15-20 (NKJV)
15 Then Peter answered and said to Him, “Explain this parable to us.”
16 So Jesus said, “Are you also still without understanding?
17 Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated?
18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man.
19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.
20 These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.”

Peter seeks clarity, and Jesus explains that physical food doesn’t defile a person, as it merely passes through the body. Instead, the true source of defilement is the heart, which produces harmful thoughts and actions. Jesus lists examples, including murder and blasphemy, to emphasize that moral corruption originates within. Thus, spiritual purity requires a transformed heart, not external rituals.

Matthew 15:21-24 (NKJV)
21 Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon.
22 And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.”
23 But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, “Send her away, for she cries out after us.”
24 But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

Jesus' response to the Canaanite woman is a deliberate test of her faith, but it also highlights her deep understanding of God's goodwill toward all people. Though Jesus initially seems to ignore her and later says His mission is only to the "lost sheep of Israel," the woman's persistent faith reflects her belief that God’s mercy and goodness extend beyond Israel, even to Gentiles like herself. She recognizes Jesus as the "Son of David," a messianic title, and trusts in His compassion, despite the cultural and Old Testament boundaries that restricted blessings to Israel. Her faith isn’t based on entitlement but on the belief that God's character is good and inclusive, and that His mercy is available to all who seek Him with humility. This interaction reveals that the woman understands God’s true nature—not as a God who withholds good, but as one whose blessings are available to anyone who approaches in faith, regardless of background. Her understanding of God’s goodwill is ultimately affirmed when Jesus responds to her faith, teaching the disciples and all who witness this encounter about the expansiveness of God’s mercy and grace.

Matthew 15:25-26 (NKJV)
25 Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, help me!”
26 But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.”

the Canaanite woman’s persistent plea for help is met with Jesus’ response, "It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs." Here, the "children" refer to the Jewish people, the primary recipients of Jesus’ ministry, while the "dogs" symbolize the Gentiles, whom Jews often regarded as outsiders or unworthy of God’s blessings. This statement initially seems to highlight the distinction between Israel and the Gentiles in the context of Jesus' earthly mission, which was primarily focused on Israel at that time (see Matthew 10:5-6).

However, Jesus' words also serve as a test of the woman’s faith. He is not rejecting her, but rather drawing out her understanding of God's mercy and her willingness to humble herself before Him. The use of "dogs" is not meant to insult her, but to challenge her faith in God's inclusive mercy. This interaction is meant to reveal both her humility and her understanding of God's willingness to extend His grace beyond Israel. In the cultural context of the time, it would have been a humbling challenge for a Gentile to accept such a statement, yet the woman’s response demonstrates her belief in God’s compassion, regardless of ethnic boundaries.

The woman’s recognition that even the "dogs" deserve crumbs from the table shows her deep understanding of God’s nature—she trusts in God’s generosity and believes that even the smallest portion of His blessing can bring healing. Her response ultimately leads to Jesus commending her great faith and granting her request. This moment emphasizes the broader scope of God’s kingdom, showing that faith, humility, and persistence break down barriers and open the door for God's grace to extend to all people.

Matthew 15:27-28 (NKJV)
27 And she said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.”
28 Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

The Canaanite woman responds to Jesus' challenge about not taking the children’s bread and giving it to the dogs, acknowledging His point but humbly asserting that even the dogs get the crumbs that fall from their master's table. This response reflects her deep understanding of God’s nature—she believed that, even though the Jews (God's "children") had a special place in His plan, His mercy and blessings were not limited to them. She recognized that God's goodness extended beyond ethnic boundaries and trusted that even a small portion of His grace could bring healing. Her faith was not based on entitlement but on the belief that God's mercy is abundant and available to all who seek it with humility. Moved by her persistent faith, Jesus praises her, calling it "great," and grants her request, healing her daughter. Jesus' response underscores how her faith—rooted in the belief in God's inclusive love and generosity—was a model of trust, humility, and understanding of God's character. Her example not only taught His disciples but continues to challenge us today about the expansiveness of God's mercy and the importance of a humble, persistent faith.

Matthew 15:29-31 (NKJV)
29 Jesus departed from there, skirted the Sea of Galilee, and went up on the mountain and sat down there.
30 Then great multitudes came to Him, having with them the lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others; and they laid them down at Jesus’ feet, and He healed them.
31 So the multitude marveled when they saw the mute speaking, the maimed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel.

Jesus’ healing ministry continues as multitudes bring the sick and disabled to Him. His compassionate healing demonstrates God’s power and mercy, and the people glorify God in response. This scene underscores Jesus’ role as the Messiah who brings physical and spiritual restoration, drawing people closer to God through acts of compassion and power.

Matthew 15:32-39 (NKJV)
32 Now Jesus called His disciples to Himself and said, “I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat. And I do not want to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way.”
33 Then His disciples said to Him, “Where could we get enough bread in the wilderness to fill such a great multitude?”
34 Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” And they said, “Seven, and a few little fish.”
35 So He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground.
36 And He took the seven loaves and the fish and gave thanks, broke them and gave them to His disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitude.
37 So they all ate and were filled, and they took up seven large baskets full of the fragments that were left.
38 Now those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children.
39 And He sent away the multitude, got into the boat, and came to the region of Magdala.

Once again, Jesus miraculously feeds a large crowd, displaying His compassion and provision. The disciples initially doubt how they’ll feed so many, but Jesus uses their small resources to satisfy the entire crowd. This event emphasizes Jesus’ ability to provide abundantly and His care for people’s physical and spiritual needs. Through His actions, Jesus reveals the generosity of God’s kingdom, where all are invited to partake.