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Verse-by-Verse Bible Study

Matthew 15:1–20

Dangerous Traditions… vs. 1-9

MatthewNew TestamentEnglish
These are the original teaching notes from this passage.
  • Review…
    • FIRST – The Presentation of the King – Matthew 1-7
    • SECOND – The Ministry of the King – Matthew 8-18
    • Wanting a King…
      • Immediately after the feeding of the 5000 – the people wanted to make Jesus their King…
      • But their MOTIVE was wrong – they were looking for FOOD not HEAVEN…
      • Even the DISCIPLES were caught up in the excitement – so Jesus sent them away…
      • Then went up alone to a mountain [discouraged] to spend time in PRAYER!
    • Walking on Water…
      • The DISCIPLES had been rowing all night – but were STUCK in the middle of the sea [winds]
      • Jesus was watching them – and just before dawn – came walking on the water [ghost!]
      • He told them NOT to be afraid – because He is the I AM…
      • Peter asked – Jesus said come – and walked out to Him on the water…
      • But when he saw the WIND [invisible] – he was AFRAID – and began to sink…
      • Jesus grabbed him – and asked why he had LITTLE faith – causing him to DOUBT…
      • The moment they got back into the boat – the storm STOPPED!
  • 1st – Dangerous Traditions… vs. 1-9
    • 1st – Washing hands… vs. 1-2
      • Another Question… vs. 1
        • Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus saying:
        • The SPREAD of the reputation of Jesus – from Capernaum [west] to the Decapolis [east]
        • Was concerning to LEADERS in Jerusalem – His fame was NOT dying down…
        • So they sent more SCRIBES and PHARISEES to interrogate Him…
        • They had already asked WHY Jesus ate with SINNERS – Matthew 9:11
        • And had ACCUSED His DISCIPLES breaking the Sabbath – Matthew 12:2
        • Then they had DEMANDED Jesus show them a SIGN – Matthew 12:38
        • Now a FOURTH time they were going to attack Him – regarding their TRADITIONS!
      • Tradition… vs. 2
        • Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders?
        • For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread!
        • The PHARISEES wanted to know why the DISCIPLES of Jesus ignored their TRADITION…
        • TRADITION [παράδοσις] – RULES that had been PASSED [δίδωμι] down from the ELDERS…
        • The RULE was they needed to WASH their hands before they EAT!
        • They were NOT challenging Jesus about HYGIENE [good to wash before we eat]
        • This was about the Jewish TRADITION called [נטילת ידיים‎] – netilat yadayim
        • It is an elaborate ceremonial TRIPLE washing based in centuries of TRADITION…
        • Followed by a specific PRAYER: [בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם הַמּוֹצִיא לֶחֶם מִן הָאָרֶץ]
        • Blessed are you Lord our God – King of the universe – who gives us the bread of the earth!
        • We have a very similar TRADITION to pray BEFORE we eat a meal…
        • As if somehow the MEAL will be blessed [less calories] if we FIRST give thanks for it…
        • And if someone EATS before they PRAY – it means they are a HEATHEN [unbeliever]
        • Yet the Bible says the OPPOSITE – we are to pray AFTER we eat – Deuteronomy 8:10
        • So that when we are FULL – we do NOT forget about the LORD!
      • Helpful or harmful…
        • PHARISEES would wash EVERY time they came from the Market – lots of UNCLEAN people…
        • They would WASH [netilat yadayim] – EVERY time they ate a snack…
        • And they had been doing this for GENERATIONS – making it IMPORTANT to them…
        • Therefore – why did the disciples NOT follow their TRADITIONS!
        • From how we CELEBRATE: birthdays [get gifts or pay for everyone] – weddings – funerals…
        • To what we BELIEVE in: Santa Clause – the Tooth Fairy – the Easter bunny…
        • How we WORSHIP: what we wear [suits] – how we sing [hymns] – when we meet [Sunday]
        • Even what to FEAR: throwing salt to keep away aswang…
        • We follow lots of TRADITIONS – they dominate our DAILY lives!
        • The PROBLEM comes – when we FEAR traditions more than we FEAR God…
        • The PROBLEM comes – when put our TRUST in our traditions rather than God…
        • The PROBLEM comes – when our traditions CONTRADICT the Word of God!
    • 2nd – Rejecting the Word… vs. 3-6
      • The Priority… vs. 3
        • [Jesus] answered and said to them:
        • Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition!
        • Jesus was QUICK to turn their question back on them…
        • Why did they IGNORE the COMMAND [ἐντολή] of God because of their TRADITION!
        • When we were in the BUKID – there were a LOT of unmarried couples…
        • When we asked them WHY they would NOT get married…
        • The answer was always because they could NOT afford to FEED the whole barangay!
        • The PROBLEM – they were more concerned about the TRADITION of men [lechon]
        • Then they were about following the command of God – Romans 13:1
      • The Commands… vs. 4
        • For God commanded saying: Honor your father and your mother.
        • And: He who curses father or mother let him be put to death!
        • Jesus gave the PHARISEES two COMMANDS [ἐντολή] from the LAW…
        • From the TEN commandments – HONOR [imperative] your parents – Exodus 20:12
        • And the penalty for DISHONORING [cursing] them – was death – Exodus 21:17
        • The question becomes what does it mean to HONOR them…
        • When we are YOUNG – we are to OBEY our parents [in the Lord] – Ephesians 6:1
        • But when we are OLD – we are to take CARE of our parents!
        • I Timothy 5:8 – “If anyone does not provide… for those of his household – he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
        • People who do NOT know Jesus take care of their aging parents…
        • How much MORE should we who are believers take care of our Dad and Moms…
        • If we IGNORE our parents – what kind of witness to the world can we be…
        • We cannot say we have NO money – because God will PROVIDE for our needs – Matthew 6:33
        • We cannot say they do NOT deserve it – God is the one who commands us to help…
        • Bottom line – as believers in Jesus we MUST take care of our parents!
      • The Contradiction… vs. 5-6
        • But you say: Whoever says to his father or mother…
        • Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God.
        • Then he need not honor his father or mother!
        • Although the WORD of God was VERY clear on the need to HONOR our parents…
        • The PHARISEES said – people did NOT have to HELP them…
        • If they took their GIFT [δῶρον] – and instead gave it to the PHARISEES [church]
        • Then they no longer had ANY [οὐ μὴ subjunctive] responsibility for their parents!
        • One of the favorite verses of pastors – will a man ROB God – Malachi 3:8
        • Used as a guilt trip to force people to give money to the church [pastor]
        • But bending the WORD of God for FINANCIAL gain is nothing new…
        • Religious leaders have been doing this since the time of the New Testament!
      • The Rejection… vs. 6
        • Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition!
        • Through their TRADITION – the PHARISEES had done TWO things…
        • FRIST – they had REJECTED the COMMAND [ἐντολή] of God…
        • SECOND – they had REJECTED the God who gave the command…
        • NO effect [ἀκυρόω] – to REJECT [ἀ] the Lord [κύριος]!
        • Jesus is the Word [λόγος] of God – John 1:1
        • Meaning – if we REJECT the WORD – we REJECT the Lord [κύριος]
        • We cannot follow the TRADITIONS of men – and IGNORE the Bible…
        • We cannot say that we believe in God – then disobey what He says!
        • John 14:15 – “If you love Me keep My commandments.”
    • 3rd – Doctrines of men… vs. 7-9
      • Hypocrites… vs. 7-8
        • Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you saying:
        • These people draw near to Me with their mouth – and honor Me with their lips.
        • But their heart is far from Me!
        • Isaiah had given a good [καλῶς] warning about the PHARISEES- Isaiah 29:13
        • Because although their WORDS [lips and mouth] gave HONOR [τιμάω] to God…
        • Their HEARTS [καρδία] were FAR from the Lord…
        • Making them HYPOCRITES [ὑποκριτής] – to be TWO faced!
        • II Peter 2:1 – “There will be false teachers… [who] will exploit you with deceptive words.”
        • The BIBLE warns us – we need to be VERY careful who we follow…
        • There are FALSE teachers – HYPOCRITES – who may have all the right WORDS…
        • But their MOTIVE [heart] is FAR from the Lord…
        • They are out to TAKE from people – not give them the TRUTH!
        • Ezekiel 34:2 – “Woe to [pastors] who feed themselves! Should not a [pastor] feed the sheep!”
      • Empty worship… vs. 9
        • In vain they worship Me – teaching as doctrines the commandments of men!
        • The PHARISEES were NOT putting the Word of God FIRST…
        • They were TEACHING the TRADITIONS of men ABOVE the word…
        • Because their WORSHIP [σέβω] – used to describe RELIGION [empty worship]
        • Was VAIN [μάτην] – meant to MANIPULATE of others!
        • There is a LOT of MANIPULATION – a LOT of RELIGION – in the church today…
        • Denominational churches – often elevate TRADITION above the Word…
        • Charismatic churches – often elevate EMOTION above the Word…
        • Reformed churches – often elevate INTELLECT above the Word!
        • Yet ANYTIME someone puts ANYTHING above the Word it is dangerous…
        • Because EMOTIONS can be deceiving – TRADITIONS can be wrong…
        • And we are NOT as smart [intellect] as God – Isaiah 55:8
        • Therefore we do NOT listen to the IDEAS of men – we go back to the TRUTH – John 14:6
        • Because if put our trust in RELIGION [empty worship] – we are NOT following Jesus!
        • Galatians 1:10 – “If I still pleased men – I would not be a bondservant of Christ.”
  • 2nd – From the Heart… vs. 10-20
    • 1st – Answering the question… vs. 10-11
      • When He had called the multitude to Himself He said to them – Hear and understand:
      • Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man – but what comes out of the mouth defiles a man!
      • Having EXPOSED the SCRIBES and PHARISEES as HYPOCRITES…
      • Jesus turned to the CROWD – and told them to LISTEN [imperative] and UNDERSTAND [συνίημι]
      • Answering the original QUESTION – do they need to WASH their hands – Matthew 15:1
      • It is NOT what does INTO the mouth that DEFILES a person – it is what come OUT…
      • DEFILE [κοινόω] – to be ordinary – in contrast to being HOLY [ἅγιος]!
      • Jesus is NOT giving HYGIENE advice – He is giving a SPIRITUAL truth…
      • We are NOT set apart for God [holy] because of what we EAT!
    • 2nd – Blind Leaders… vs. 12-14
      • Offended… vs. 12
        • Then His disciples came and said to Him:
        • You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying!
        • Having EXPOSED the PHARISEES – and taught he CROWD…
        • It was the DISCIPLES turn to come and question Jesus…
        • Because He had UPSET [σκανδαλίζω] the PHARISEES with what He said…
        • This was NOT question – is was a STATEMENT of fact [indicative]!
      • Uprooted… vs. 13
        • But He answered and said:
        • Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted!
        • Jesus was INTENTIONAL in His words – they were MEANT to offend…
        • Because NOT everyone PLANTED in the church – was PLANTED by the Father…
        • There are TARES in the church – planted by the ENEMY – Matthew 13:25
        • And they need [future] to be UPROOTED [ἐκριζόω] so they cannot influence others!
        • Jude 1:12 – “They are shameless shepherds who care only for themselves… they bear no fruit and have been [aorist] pulled up [ἐκριζόω] by the roots.” [NLT]
        • We are called to be BOLD when it comes to defending the TRUTH…
        • We are NOT to be SHY in exposing FALSE teachers…
        • Because if we do NOT speak up – others might be STUMBLED by their words!
      • Do not follow… vs. 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 command [imperative] was simple – WALK away from them…
        • Because they are BLIND leaders – leading other BLIND people…
        • And if the BLIND – lead others who are BLIND – both will fall into the PIT!
        • We would never ask someone for DIRECTIONS…
        • If the person we are asking had NEVER been to the place we want to go…
        • Yet people look to MEN for DIRECTIONS on how to get to HEAVEN [never been]
        • Is it not wonder that they do NOT make it – instead they end up in the PIT [hell]!
        • Matthew 23:15 – “Woe to you scribes and Pharisees – hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one [convert] – and when he is won – you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves… [you] blind guides!”
    • 3rd – Blind Disciples… vs. 15
      • Then Peter answered and said to Him: Explain this parable to us!
      • The DISCIPLES were also STUMBLED by what Jesus had said…
      • And Peter [walk on water] jumped up and demanded [imperative] an explanation…
      • Because Peter thought this was a PARABLE – like with the wheat and tares – Matthew 13:36
      • He thought that – because it was DIFFERENT from what he had been taught his whole life…
      • The Jews had extensive TRADITIONS and RULES about what God permits men to eat…
      • The idea that we can eat ANYTHING – was too radical to accept!
      • We have been taught our whole life that MONEY is the answer…
      • And we spend our WHOLE life [education – full time job] trying to get enough of it…
      • But it turns out MONEY is just a piece of paper with colorful ink on it – Isaiah 44:19
      • The only one who can PROVIDE – give us a BLESSED life – is God – Matthew 6:33
      • When the Bible CONTRADICTS what we have been taught our whole life – it STUMBLES us…
      • We tend to think it must be a PARABLE – not something LITERAL…
      • Certainly God does NOT just provide – maybe He uses our education and hard work…
      • But if the LORD can rain MANA [מָן] from heaven – He does NOT need our help…
      • It is not hard to understand what the Word says – it is just hard for us to accept!
    • 4th – Unclean… vs. 16-20
      • Understand… vs. 16
        • So Jesus said: Are you also still without understanding?
        • Jesus challenged Peter – he had been with the Lord for several YEARS…
        • And he still [ἀκμήν] did NOT understand [indicative] it was NOT about FOOD!
        • This was a very HARD lesson for Peter to grasp…
        • When God gave him a VISION of unclean animals and commanded him to EAT…
        • He told the Lord [κύριος] – NO – he would not eat anything UNCLEAN [κοινόω] – Acts 10:14
        • Part of growing in Jesus – in UNLEARNING all the LIES we have been told for years…
        • Because what the WORLD says is the exact OPPOSITE of what the WORD says…
        • The WORLD says to seek riches – the WORD says to be content – Hebrews 13:5
        • The WORLD says to focus on yourself – the WORD says to die to ourselves – Luke 9:23
        • The WORLD says to be strong – the WORD says we need to be weak – II Corinthians 12:9
      • Not what goes in… Vs. 17-18
        • Do you not understand whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated?
        • Understand [νοέω] – stop and THINK about this [use our brain]
        • ANYTHING [πᾶς] we eat – goes into our BELLY – then out into the TOILET…
        • Therefore it does NOT matter what we EAT – it has no effect on us SPIRITUALLY!
        • What is allowed to be eaten – if it moves – we can eat it…
        • We are NOT less HOLY if we eat blood [dinuguan] – pork [lechon] – or shrimp…
        • There is nothing that is forbidden to eat – it is all good – it is all FOOD!
        • I Timothy 4:4 – “For every creature of God is good – and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving!”
      • What comes out… vs. 18
        • Those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart – and they defile a man!
        • In CONTRAST – what comes out of the MOUTH – is out of the HEART…
        • That has the ability to DEFILE [κοινόω] – keep someone from being HOLY!
        • We cannot see the HEART – we do NOT know the MOTIVE…
        • But what we can see if what they SAY – their mouth is a window into their soul!
        • Matthew 12:35 – “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”
      • Six Examples… vs. 19
        • For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts!
        • Evil thoughts – to continually have [present] a corrupt [πονηρός] mind!
        • This is the source for EVERYTHING else that follows…
        • Because the battle for our ACTIONS begins in our MIND – James 1:15
        • Murders [φόνος] – to kill or have HATRED [unforgiveness] towards someone…
        • Adulteries [μοιχεία] – any sexual relationship OUTSIDE of marriage…
        • Fornications [πορνεία] – were we get the word PORNOGRAPHY [lust]
        • Thief [κλοπή] – not CONTENT and with what we have – so we STEAL from others…
        • False witness [ψευδομαρτυρία] – liar who does NOT tell the truth…
        • Blasphemies [βλασφημία] – using hurtful words – cursing!
        • This list is NOT the problem – it is the EVIDENCE that there is a PROBLEM in the heart…
        • Because those who DO [present] these things – are NOT saved!
        • Galatians 5:19-21 – “Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
      • Defiled and Unholy… vs. 20
        • These are the things which defile a man – but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile!
        • This is [present] what makes a person UNCLEAN [κοινόω]
        • Those who have [present] unrepentant SIN coming from their HEART…
        • Show that they do NOT know the Lord – and therefore are NOT holy [ἅγιος]!
        • Being used by God – is NOT about us following RULES…
        • It has NOTHING to do with what we EAT – it is all about the HEART…
        • What makes us HOLY – is a heart that is FORGIVEN – are PURE before the Lord!