Matthew 15:12

KJV

Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {G5119} came {G4334} his {G846} disciples {G3101}, and said {G2036} unto him {G846}, Knowest thou {G1492} that {G3754} the Pharisees {G5330} were offended {G4624}, after they heard {G191} this saying {G3056}?

Complete Jewish Bible

The talmidim came to him and said, "Do you know that the P'rushim were offended by what you said?"

Berean Standard Bible

Then the disciples came to Him and said, “Are You aware that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?”

American Standard Version

Then came the disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, when they heard this saying?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 15:12 captures the disciples' immediate reaction to Jesus' radical teaching on true defilement, expressing concern and curiosity regarding the strong offense taken by the powerful and influential Pharisees. Their question reveals an awareness of the religious leaders' authority and the potential repercussions of Jesus' confrontational message, which directly challenged their deeply held traditions and external piety.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a critical exchange between Jesus and the religious establishment, specifically the Pharisees and scribes who had traveled from Jerusalem. The preceding verses ([Matthew 15:1-9](/matthew/15-1-9 "Matthew 15:1-9 - Jesus Confronts Pharisaic Tradition")) detail their challenge to Jesus' disciples for not observing the tradition of ceremonial handwashing before meals. Jesus masterfully turns their accusation back on them, exposing their hypocrisy and how their human traditions nullified God's commandments, quoting [Isaiah 29:13](/isaiah/29-13 "Isaiah 29:13 - Prophecy of Lip Service"). The "saying" that offended them, recorded in [Matthew 15:11](/matthew/15-11 "Matthew 15:11 - What Truly Defiles"), declared that true defilement comes not from what enters the mouth but from what proceeds from the heart. Following the disciples' question in [Matthew 15:12](/matthew/15-12 "Matthew 15:12 - Disciples' Concern Over Pharisaic Offense"), Jesus further elaborates on the spiritual blindness of the Pharisees in [Matthew 15:13-20](/matthew/15-13-20 "Matthew 15:13-20 - Jesus Explains True Defilement"), likening them to "blind guides" and explaining the true source of evil and defilement within the human heart.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Pharisees were a prominent Jewish religious and political party in the first century, renowned for their meticulous adherence to the Mosaic Law and, crucially, to an extensive body of oral traditions (Halakha) that they considered equally binding. These traditions, such as ceremonial handwashing, were developed to "build a fence around the Torah" and ensure ritual purity. Their authority was significant among the common people. Jesus' teaching directly undermined their authority and their entire system of external righteousness, which relied heavily on such traditions. For the Pharisees, Jesus' words were not just a theological disagreement but a direct assault on their identity, power, and understanding of holiness, making their "offense" understandable within their cultural framework.
* **Key Themes:** This passage powerfully highlights the **clash between divine truth and human tradition**. Jesus consistently prioritized the spiritual condition of the heart over outward religious rituals, a theme echoed throughout His ministry (e.g., [Matthew 23](/matthew/23 "Matthew 23 - Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees")). The Pharisees' offense underscores their **spiritual blindness and resistance to God's kingdom**. Despite their religious devotion, they failed to recognize divine authority and truth when it challenged their established norms, fulfilling Jesus' later description of them as "blind guides" in [Matthew 15:14](/matthew/15-14 "Matthew 15:14 - The Blind Leading the Blind"). Furthermore, the disciples' question reveals their **developing understanding** of Jesus' mission and the profound implications of His teachings. While still learning, they are beginning to grasp the magnitude of the spiritual conflict Jesus is engaged in and the opposition He faces from the religious elite.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **disciples (Greek, _mathētḗs'_):** From μανθάνω, meaning 'a learner, i.e. pupil.' This term emphasizes that those who followed Jesus were not merely casual observers but committed students, actively engaged in learning from His teachings and seeking to understand His message. Their question here reflects their ongoing process of spiritual formation.
* **Knowest thou (Greek, _eídō'_):** A primary verb meaning 'to see (literally or figuratively); by implication, (in the perfect tense only) to know.' The disciples are not asking if Jesus is merely aware of a fact, but if He truly comprehends the significance and potential repercussions of the offense He has caused among the Pharisees. It implies a request for His strategic insight or response to the situation.
* **offended (Greek, _skandalízō'_):** From σκάνδαλον, meaning 'to entrap, i.e. trip up (figuratively, stumble (transitively) or entice to sin, apostasy or displeasure).' This word is much stronger than simply "displeased" or "annoyed." It signifies that the Pharisees were caused to stumble, to fall into spiritual error, or to be profoundly shocked and angered to the point of hardening their hearts against Jesus' truth. Their offense was a spiritual stumbling block.
* **saying (Greek, _lógos'_):** From λέγω, meaning 'something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse).' Here, it refers specifically to Jesus' profound teaching in [Matthew 15:11](/matthew/15-11 "Matthew 15:11 - What Defiles a Person") that "Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man." This was the core message that so deeply challenged the Pharisees' system of external purity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then came his disciples,"**: This phrase indicates the immediate aftermath of Jesus' public teaching and confrontation with the Pharisees. The disciples, having witnessed the exchange, approach Jesus privately, suggesting a desire for clarification or counsel.
* **"and said unto him,"**: This simple introduction sets up the direct communication between the disciples and Jesus, highlighting their initiative in bringing their concern to Him.
* **"Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended,"**: This is the core of the disciples' question. They are keenly aware of the Pharisees' influential position and their deep-seated displeasure. The question implies a concern about the consequences of offending such powerful religious leaders, perhaps anticipating increased opposition or danger.
* **"after they heard this saying?"**: This specifies the precise cause of the Pharisees' offense: Jesus' teaching on true defilement, which directly contradicted their cherished oral traditions and external purity laws. The disciples correctly identify the source of the conflict.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several significant literary devices. There is clear **Contrast** between Jesus' emphasis on internal purity and the Pharisees' preoccupation with external rituals. Jesus' teaching challenges the very foundation of their religious system, creating a stark dichotomy between true righteousness and superficial piety. **Irony** is also present, as the supposed spiritual leaders—the Pharisees—are "offended" by divine truth, revealing their spiritual blindness and resistance to God's authentic message. Their "offense" is not a sign of their righteousness but of their hardened hearts. Furthermore, the disciples' question serves as a moment of **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the escalating conflict between Jesus and the religious authorities that will ultimately lead to His crucifixion. Their concern over the Pharisees' reaction anticipates the growing opposition that Jesus and His followers will face.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 15:12 underscores the profound theological truth that God values the internal condition of the heart over outward religious observance. This principle is foundational to the New Covenant, where true righteousness is not achieved through ritualistic purity or adherence to human traditions, but through a transformed heart that loves God and neighbor. The offense of the Pharisees highlights the persistent human tendency to substitute man-made rules for God's divine commands, leading to spiritual blindness and a rejection of genuine truth. It serves as a warning against legalism and hypocrisy, emphasizing that true faith must originate from within.

* [Proverbs 4:23](/proverbs/4-23 "Proverbs 4:23 - Guard Your Heart"): "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life."
* [Mark 7:18-23](/mark/7-18-23 "Mark 7:18-23 - Jesus Explains Defilement"): Jesus' parallel teaching in Mark's Gospel further elaborates on how evil thoughts and actions originate from within the heart.
* [Romans 2:28-29](/romans/2-28-29 "Romans 2:28-29 - True Circumcision of the Heart"): Paul emphasizes that true Jewishness (and by extension, true godliness) is a matter of the heart, not outward observance.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 15:12 offers a poignant moment for self-reflection, urging us to examine the source of our own "offenses" and where our priorities lie. Are we, like the Pharisees, more concerned with maintaining external appearances, traditions, or the approval of others, even if it means resisting the challenging truths of God's Word? Or are we, like the disciples, willing to ask questions, learn, and grow, even when Jesus' teachings disrupt our comfortable norms or provoke opposition? This passage calls us to prioritize genuine heart transformation over superficial religiosity. It reminds us that following Christ authentically will inevitably lead to moments of friction with the world's values and even with religious systems that have strayed from God's heart. We are challenged to cultivate a heart that is receptive to God's truth, even when it exposes our own flaws or demands uncomfortable changes, rather than becoming "offended" and hardening ourselves against it.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "traditions" or external practices in my life might I be prioritizing over the genuine condition of my heart before God?**
* **In what areas of my life am I resistant to a challenging truth from God's Word because it offends my comfort or preconceived notions?**
* **How do I respond when my faith or convictions lead to opposition or "offense" from others, especially those in positions of influence?**

### FAQ

**Why were the Pharisees so offended by Jesus' "saying" in Matthew 15:11?**

Answer: The Pharisees were offended because Jesus' teaching directly challenged the core of their religious system and authority. Their piety was heavily invested in external rituals and oral traditions, such as ceremonial handwashing, which they considered as binding as the written Law. Jesus' statement, "[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 "Matthew 15:11 - What Defiles a Person")," fundamentally undermined their emphasis on outward purity and exposed their hypocrisy, suggesting that their traditions were man-made and obscured God's true intent for inward holiness. This was a direct assault on their perceived righteousness and spiritual authority.

**What does it mean to be "offended" in this biblical context?**

Answer: The Greek word translated "offended" is _skandalízō_, which means more than just being annoyed or displeased. It carries the sense of causing someone to stumble, to fall into a snare, or to be led into sin or spiritual error. In this context, the Pharisees were not merely upset; they were profoundly shocked, angered, and caused to stumble spiritually by Jesus' truth. Their "offense" led them to harden their hearts further against Him and His message, rather than to repent or reconsider their ways. This concept is also seen in passages like [Matthew 13:57](/matthew/13-57 "Matthew 13:57 - Jesus Offends in His Hometown") where Jesus' own townspeople were "offended" by Him.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 15:12, with the disciples' concern over the Pharisees' offense, points powerfully to Christ as the ultimate fulfillment of true purity and the radical redefinition of righteousness. Jesus, the [Word made flesh](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Incarnation"), came not to abolish the Law but to fulfill it, revealing its true spiritual intent. His teaching that defilement comes from the heart ([Matthew 15:18-19](/matthew/15-18-19 "Matthew 15:18-19 - From the Heart Come Evil Thoughts")) directly contrasts with the Old Covenant's emphasis on external ritual purity. This shift in focus anticipates the New Covenant, where cleansing is not through ceremonial washings or dietary laws, but through the atoning sacrifice of Christ. He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), offering a spiritual cleansing that transforms the heart from within. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus provides the means for a radical internal renewal, making those who believe in Him truly clean, not by what they eat or touch, but by the righteousness imputed to them and the Holy Spirit dwelling within them ([Romans 8:1-4](/romans/8-1-4 "Romans 8:1-4 - No Condemnation in Christ")). Thus, the offense of the Pharisees against Jesus' truth foreshadows their ultimate rejection of the One who offers genuine, heart-deep purity and reconciliation with God.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Kings 22:13

And the messenger that was gone to call Micaiah spake unto him, saying, Behold now, the words of the prophets [declare] good unto the king with one mouth: let thy word, I pray thee, be like the word of one of them, and speak [that which is] good.

1 Kings 22:14

And Micaiah said, [As] the LORD liveth, what the LORD saith unto me, that will I speak.

1 Corinthians 10:32

Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:

1 Corinthians 10:33

Even as I please all [men] in all [things], not seeking mine own profit, but the [profit] of many, that they may be saved.

Matthew 17:27

Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.

2 Corinthians 6:3

Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:

Galatians 2:5

To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.