MPV Commentary

The time of this section was after Jesus had fed the five thousand at the third Passover since His public ministry began (John 6:4). However, He did not keep this Passover at Jerusalem as He normally would have done (John 7:1).

1. Then a group of scribes and Pharisees from Jerusalem came to Jesus. They were likely sent by the capital city to watch Him, as He had not come to them at the last Passover.

Mark notes that they "came from" Jerusalem (Mark 7:1), indicating a deputation sent specifically to observe Jesus. Their presence was likely in response to His absence at the previous Passover, which they had expected Him to attend.

When these Pharisees and scribes saw some of Jesus' disciples eating bread with unwashed hands, they found fault with them (Mark 7:2-3). The Pharisees and all Jews, except for those who washed their hands frequently, did not eat unless they had first performed this ceremonial cleansing. They held to the tradition of the elders, which emphasized the importance of following these customs.

After coming from the market or attending a court of justice, where they would have been exposed to heathens, they would wash their hands before eating (Mark 7:4). This practice was not limited to handwashing; many other things were considered essential for ceremonial purity, such as washing cups and pots, brazen vessels, and tables.

The Pharisees and scribes then asked Jesus why His disciples transgressed the tradition of the elders by not washing their hands before eating bread (Matthew 15:2).

3. But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?—Jesus retorted with startling power, pointing out that their tradition was man-made and undermined the authority of God's law.

For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother (Deuteronomy 5:16). And, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death (Exodus 21:17).

But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift—meaning any unbloody offering or gift dedicated to sacred uses. By whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; and honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free (Matthew 15:5-6). This meant that if someone gave their property as an offering to God, they were exempt from supporting their parents.

Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect—cancelled or nullified it "by your tradition" (Matthew 15:6).

7. Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying—(Isaiah 29:13). 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 Mark (7:8), "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 observance of "the commandment of God."

10. And he called the multitude, and said unto them—Jesus turned to the crowd after putting down the Pharisaic cavillers, who had sought to disparage Him before the people.

Hear and understand: Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man (Matthew 15:11).

12. Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?—Jesus' disciples reported to Him that the Pharisees had been irritated by His statement.

13. But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up—Jesus reassured His disciples that the corrupt teaching of the Pharisees was already doomed.

14. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch (Matthew 15:14). This striking expression highlights the ruinous effects of erroneous teaching.

15. Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable—Peter asked Jesus to explain His previous statement.

16. And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding?—Jesus expressed disappointment that even His genuine disciples were slow to grasp spiritual truths.

17-18. Do not ye yet understand that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth, &c.—These familiar sayings proclaim freedom from bondage to outward things and expose the searching truth that nothing which enters from without can really defile us.

Only the evil that is in the heart, allowed to stir there, rise up in thought and affection, and flow forth in voluntary action, really defiles a man (Matthew 15:18).

19. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts—referring here to corrupt reasonings which had introduced and reared up the hideous fabric of tradition that nullified the unchangeable principles of the moral law.

Murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies—detractions against God or man. Mark adds covetousnesses, wickednesses, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, pride, and foolishness (Mark 7:22).

20. These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man—Jesus summarized His discourse by pointing out that it is the evil in our hearts, not external actions like eating with unwashed hands, that truly defiles us.