Matthew 15:2

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.

Complete Jewish Bible:

"Why is it that your talmidim break the Tradition of the Elders? They don't do n'tilat-yadayim before they eat!"

Berean Standard Bible:

“Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They do not wash their hands before they eat.”

American Standard Version:

Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Why^{G1302} do thy^{G4675} disciples^{G3101} transgress^{G3845} the tradition^{G3862} of the elders^{G4245}? for^{G1063} they wash^{G3538} not^{G3756} their^{G846} hands^{G5495} when^{G3752} they eat^{G2068} bread^{G740}.

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Commentary for Matthew 15:2

Matthew 15:2 is part of a larger narrative where the Pharisees and scribes are confronting Jesus about his disciples' failure to follow the traditional Jewish ceremonial washing before eating. This practice was not a commandment found in the Torah (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible), but rather a tradition that had been developed by the religious leaders of the time—referred to as the "tradition of the elders." These traditions were a set of oral laws and customs that aimed to safeguard the written law by creating a protective "fence" around it to prevent Jews from unintentionally transgressing the commandments of the Torah.

The historical context of this verse is important to understand. During the Second Temple period, there was a growing emphasis on ritual purity among certain Jewish groups, including the Pharisees. This emphasis extended beyond the requirements of the written Torah to include various oral traditions and interpretations. By questioning Jesus, the Pharisees were challenging him on his observance of these traditions, which they held in high esteem as a means of maintaining religious identity and purity.

In response to their question, Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for elevating human traditions above the commandments of God (as seen in the subsequent verses, Matthew 15:3-9), thus highlighting a key theme of his ministry: the importance of the heart and true faith versus mere external adherence to religious rituals. This confrontation underscores the tension between Jesus' message of a direct and heartfelt relationship with God and the legalistic approach of some Jewish leaders who emphasized strict observance of extra-biblical traditions.

The verse touches on broader themes such as the nature of true piety, the role of tradition versus scripture, and the critique of religious hypocrisy—issues that resonate not only within the historical context of Second Temple Judaism but also within broader religious discourse throughout history.

*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: G1302
   There are 26 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: διατί
   Transliteration: diatí
   Pronunciation: dee-at-ee'
   Description: from διά and τίς; through what cause ?, i.e. why?:--wherefore, why.
   
2. Strong's Number: G4675
   There are 360 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: σοῦ
   Transliteration: soû
   Pronunciation: soo
   Description: genitive case of σύ; of thee, thy:--X home, thee, thine (own), thou, thy.
   
3. Strong's Number: G3101
   There are 252 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: μαθητής
   Transliteration: mathētḗs
   Pronunciation: math-ay-tes'
   Description: from μανθάνω; a learner, i.e. pupil:--disciple.
   
4. Strong's Number: G3845
   There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: παραβαίνω
   Transliteration: parabaínō
   Pronunciation: par-ab-ah'-ee-no
   Description: from παρά and the base of βάσις; to go contrary to, i.e. violate a command:--(by) transgress(-ion).
   
5. Strong's Number: G3862
   There are 13 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: παράδοσις
   Transliteration: parádosis
   Pronunciation: par-ad'-os-is
   Description: from παραδίδωμι; transmission, i.e. (concretely) a precept; specially, the Jewish traditionary law:--ordinance, tradition.
   
6. Strong's Number: G4245
   There are 67 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: πρεσβύτερος
   Transliteration: presbýteros
   Pronunciation: pres-boo'-ter-os
   Description: comparative of (elderly); older; as noun, a senior; specially, an Israelite Sanhedrist (also figuratively, member of the celestial council) or Christian "presbyter":-- elder(-est), old.
   
7. Strong's Number: G1063
   There are 1016 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: γάρ
   Transliteration: gár
   Pronunciation: gar
   Description: a primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles):--and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.
   
8. Strong's Number: G3538
   There are 13 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: νίπτω
   Transliteration: níptō
   Pronunciation: nip'-to
   Description: λούω
   
9. Strong's Number: G3756
   There are 1328 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: οὐ
   Transliteration: ou
   Pronunciation: ookh
   Description: a primary word; the absolute negative (compare μή) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also οὐ μή, μῆκος.
   
10. 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.
    
11. Strong's Number: G5495
    There are 171 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: χείρ
    Transliteration: cheír
    Pronunciation: khire
    Description: perhaps from the base of χειμών in the sense of its congener the base of χάσμα (through the idea of hollowness for grasping); the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by Hebraism) a means or instrument):--hand.
    
12. Strong's Number: G3752
    There are 118 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὅταν
    Transliteration: hótan
    Pronunciation: hot'-an
    Description: from ὅτε and ἄν; whenever (implying hypothesis or more or less uncertainty); also causatively (conjunctionally) inasmuch as:--as long (soon) as, that, + till, when(-soever), while.
    
13. Strong's Number: G2068
    There are 55 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐσθίω
    Transliteration: esthíō
    Pronunciation: es-thee'-o
    Description: strengthened for a primary (to eat); used only in certain tenses, the rest being supplied by φάγω; to eat (usually literal):--devour, eat, live.
    
14. Strong's Number: G740
    There are 91 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἄρτος
    Transliteration: ártos
    Pronunciation: ar'-tos
    Description: from αἴρω; bread (as raised) or a loaf:--(shew-)bread, loaf.