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Mans Traditions vs God’s Commands in Matthew 15

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Read Matthew chapter 15

Introduction:  In Matthew 15, we find a series of encounters between Jesus and the religious leaders (scribes and pharisees), that challenge the religious traditions of the day and offer spiritual insights into the heart of God. This in depth outline will dive into the wisdom contained in this chapter, verse by verse, drawing on connections to other books of the Bible, and seeking to find what we can learn that will benefit our lives today in year 2024.

I. Matthew 15:1-9 – Mans Traditions vs Commandments of God
In these verses, Jesus confronts the Pharisees and scribes about their sticking to human traditions over the commandments of God. He quotes Isaiah 29:13 to highlight their hypocrisy, pointing out to them that true worship comes from the heart, not from empty rituals (Isaiah 29:13; Mark 7:6-7). These verses challenges us to take a look at our own worship practices and ensure that we are not merely going through the motions but earnestly and genuinely seeking to honor God with our lives.

II. Matthew 15:10-20 – What Defiles a Person
Jesus teaches the crowd that it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person but what comes out of it. He teaches that evil thoughts and actions originate from the heart, not from external factors (Proverbs 4:23; James 1:14-15). These verses calls the believer to guard our hearts and minds, recognizing that our lifestyle, words and actions show who we really are.

III. Matthew 15:21-28 – Encounter with Canaanite Woman
In this encounter with the Canaanite woman, Jesus initially seems to dismiss her plea for her daughter’s healing. However, her strong faith leads to her daughter’s deliverance. This story demonstrates the power of strong, persistent faith and the inclusivity of God’s grace, extending beyond the boundaries of Israel (Galatians 3:28; Ephesians 2:14). It reminds us that God’s mercy and grace is available to all who seek Him with a sincere heart.

IV. Matthew 15:29-31 – People Glorify God
Jesus’ healing ministry continues as he cures many people, resulting in the crowd glorifying the God of Israel. This section of verses reveals Jesus’ compassion and power, confirming His identity as the promised Messiah (Isaiah 35:5-6; Luke 7:22). It inspires and encourages us to bring our needs to Jesus, trusting in His ability to save, heal and restore.

V. Matthew 15:32-39 – Feeding of the Four Thousand
The chapter ends with the miracle of feeding the four thousand. Jesus’ compassion for the hungry crowd leads Him to provide for them miraculously, just as He had done earlier with the five thousand (Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 8:1-10). This miracle points to Jesus as the Bread of Life, who satisfies both our physical and spiritual hunger (John 6:35).

Conclusion: Matthew 15 challenges us to prioritize the commandments of God over human traditions, to guard our hearts against defilement, to approach God with persistent faith, to trust in Jesus’ compassion and power, and to look to Him as the ultimate provider. Matthew 15 should inspire believers today, to live lives that honor God and demonstrate the life changing power of salvation through Jesus Christ.

Other cross reference verses to Matthew 15…

  1. Mark 7:1-23 – This passage contains a parallel account of the events described in Matthew 15, including the interaction between Jesus and the Pharisees, as well as the teaching on inner purity.
  2. Isaiah 29:13 – Jesus quotes this verse in Matthew 15:8-9 to rebuke the Pharisees for their hypocrisy, emphasizing that true worship comes from the heart.
  3. Exodus 20:12 – Matthew 15:4 references the fifth commandment, “Honor your father and mother,” which is originally found in the Ten Commandments given in Exodus.
  4. Deuteronomy 5:16 – Similar to Exodus 20:12, this verse is also cited by Jesus in Matthew 15:4, reinforcing the importance of honoring one’s parents.
  5. Ezekiel 33:31 – The prophet Ezekiel’s description of people who honor God with their lips but not their hearts echoes the theme of hypocrisy addressed by Jesus in Matthew 15.
  6. Hosea 6:6 – In Matthew 15:7, Jesus speaks about the importance of mercy over sacrifice, which aligns with God’s message through the prophet Hosea.
  7. Psalm 78:2 – Matthew 15:11 mentions that what comes out of the mouth defiles a person, which relates to the Psalmist’s understanding of the power of speech.
  8. Proverbs 15:11 – The discussion of inner purity in Matthew 15 can be connected to the wisdom literature’s emphasis on the heart, as seen in this verse from Proverbs.
  9. Acts 10:9-16 – Peter’s vision in Acts about clean and unclean animals provides further insight into the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 15 about what truly defiles a person.
  10. Romans 14:14 – Paul’s teaching on the purity of food and the conscience of the believer complements the message of Matthew 15 regarding dietary laws and spiritual purity.

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The Nicolaitans were a group mentioned in the book of Revelation in the New Testament, specifically in Revelation 2:6, 2:15. They were a heretical sect in the early Christian church that was condemned by Jesus in his messages to the churches of Ephesus and Pergamum. The exact beliefs and practices of the Nicolaitans are not clearly described in the Bible, but early church leaders such as Irenaeus and Clement of Alexandria suggested that they promoted sexual immorality and the consumption of food sacrificed to idols. Some scholars believe that the Nicolaitans were followers of a false teacher named Nicolas, who may have been one of the original seven deacons appointed by the apostles in Acts 6:5. However, the exact identity and teachings of the Nicolaitans remain a matter of debate among theologians and historians.