Matthew 15:15

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Kefa said to him, "Explain the parable to us."

Berean Standard Bible:

Peter said to Him, “Explain this parable to us.”

American Standard Version:

And Peter answered and said unto him, Declare unto us the parable.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Then^{G1161} answered^{G611} Peter^{G4074} and said^{G2036} unto him^{G846}, Declare^{G5419} unto us^{G2254} this^{G5026} parable^{G3850}.

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Commentary for Matthew 15:15

Matthew 15:15 is a verse that captures a moment within a larger narrative where Jesus is teaching and challenging the religious leaders of the time, particularly the Pharisees and scribes. The historical context is crucial to understanding this verse. Jesus lived in a period where Jewish religious law was highly detailed and followed meticulously. The Pharisees, in particular, were known for their strict observance of the law and their tradition of oral teachings, which they considered equally binding.

In Matthew 15, the Pharisees and scribes question Jesus about why His disciples do not follow the tradition of the elders, specifically regarding the washing of hands before eating. Jesus responds by condemning their hypocrisy and pointing out that they prioritize human traditions over the commands of God. He uses the example of how honoring parents is more important than declaring one's possessions "Corban," or dedicated to God, thus neglecting the command to care for one's parents.

The verse in question, Matthew 15:15, comes after Jesus has rebuked the Pharisees and scribes and turned to teach the multitudes. Peter, one of Jesus' closest disciples, asks Jesus to explain the parable. This request indicates that the disciples, despite their proximity to Jesus, did not always immediately grasp the deeper meanings of His teachings. Jesus' parables often used everyday scenarios to convey profound spiritual truths, and they required careful reflection and insight to understand.

In summary, Matthew 15:15 reflects a moment of instruction between Jesus and His disciples, highlighting the importance of spiritual understanding over mere adherence to human traditions. It underscores the theme of true obedience to God's commandments and the need for discernment between human precepts and divine principles. The verse also illustrates the disciples' willingness to learn and Jesus' role as a teacher who provides guidance to those who seek to understand His message more deeply. This interaction is emblematic of the broader discourse in the Gospels regarding the nature of true faith and the tension between external religious observance and internal spiritual integrity.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G1161
   There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: δέ
   Transliteration: dé
   Pronunciation: deh
   Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
   
2. Strong's Number: G611
   There are 248 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀποκρίνομαι
   Transliteration: apokrínomai
   Pronunciation: ap-ok-ree'-nom-ahee
   Description: from ἀπό and ; to conclude for oneself, i.e. (by implication) to respond; by Hebraism (compare עָנָה) to begin to speak (where an address is expected):--answer.
   
3. Strong's Number: G4074
   There are 157 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: Πέτρος
   Transliteration: Pétros
   Pronunciation: pet'-ros
   Description: apparently a primary word; a (piece of) rock (larger than λίθος); as a name, Petrus, an apostle:--Peter, rock. Compare Κηφᾶς.
   
4. Strong's Number: G2036
   There are 901 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἔπω
   Transliteration: épō
   Pronunciation: ep'-o
   Description: a primary verb (used only in the definite past tense, the others being borrowed from ἐρέω, ῥέω, and φημί); to speak or say (by word or writing):--answer, bid, bring word, call, command, grant, say (on), speak, tell. Compare λέγω.
   
5. Strong's Number: G846
   There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: αὐτός
   Transliteration: autós
   Pronunciation: ow-tos'
   Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
   
6. Strong's Number: G5419
   There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: φράζω
   Transliteration: phrázō
   Pronunciation: frad'-zo
   Description: probably akin to φράσσω through the idea of defining; to indicate (by word or act), i.e. (specially), to expound:-- declare.
   
7. Strong's Number: G2254
   There are 167 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἡμῖν
   Transliteration: hēmîn
   Pronunciation: hay-meen'
   Description: dative case plural of ἐγώ; to (or for, with, by) us:--our, (for) us, we.
   
8. Strong's Number: G5026
   There are 119 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ταύτῃ
   Transliteration: taútēi
   Pronunciation: tow'-tace
   Description: dative case, accusative case and genitive case respectively of the feminine singular of οὗτος; (towards or of) this:--her, + hereof, it, that, + thereby, the (same), this (same).
   
9. Strong's Number: G3850
   There are 48 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: παραβολή
   Transliteration: parabolḗ
   Pronunciation: par-ab-ol-ay'
   Description: from παραβάλλω; a similitude ("parable"), i.e. (symbolic) fictitious narrative (of common life conveying a moral), apothegm or adage:--comparison, figure, parable, proverb.