Matthew 15:15

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 15:15 captures a pivotal moment when Peter, acting as the spokesperson for the disciples, humbly requests Jesus to explain the challenging parable He had just delivered. This verse underscores the disciples' initial bewilderment concerning Jesus' radical teaching on true defilement, which directly contradicted the prevailing external purity laws of their day. It sets the stage for Jesus' patient and profound exposition, revealing His role as the ultimate interpreter of divine truth and highlighting the essential human need for spiritual understanding.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Jesus' pronouncement that "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 "Matthew 15:11 - What Truly Defiles a Person")). This statement was a direct challenge to the Pharisees' meticulous adherence to external purity laws and traditions, which Jesus had already condemned as making "the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition" ([Matthew 15:6](/matthew/15-6 "Matthew 15:6 - Tradition Overriding God's Commandment")). The disciples, accustomed to the traditional understanding of defilement, were clearly perplexed by Jesus' counter-cultural teaching, especially after Jesus had just described the Pharisees as "blind leaders of the blind" ([Matthew 15:14](/matthew/15-14 "Matthew 15:14 - Warning Against Blind Leaders")). Peter's request signals their genuine desire to grasp the deeper spiritual truth that lay veiled within the parable, prompting Jesus to provide a comprehensive explanation in the subsequent verses ([Matthew 15:16-20](/matthew/15-16-20 "Matthew 15:16-20 - Jesus Explains True Defilement")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Jewish society, particularly among the Pharisees, placed immense emphasis on ritual purity laws derived from the Mosaic Law and elaborated upon by extensive oral traditions. These traditions dictated what foods could be eaten, how hands should be washed before meals, and various other external observances meant to distinguish the clean from the unclean. Defilement was largely understood in terms of physical contact, dietary restrictions, and ceremonial rituals. Jesus' teaching directly challenged this deeply ingrained framework by shifting the focus from external actions and substances to the internal state of the heart. This was revolutionary and deeply unsettling to those steeped in traditional interpretations, making the disciples' confusion understandable as they navigated this paradigm shift from outward legalism to inward spiritual reality.
* **Key Themes:** Peter's request in this verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Matthew's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **spiritual understanding versus blindness**. While the Pharisees, confident in their own wisdom, remained spiritually blind to Jesus' truth, the disciples, despite their initial confusion, demonstrated a humble desire to understand, which Jesus then graciously satisfied. Secondly, it reinforces **Jesus' role as the ultimate divine teacher and revealer of truth**. He does not merely speak in riddles but patiently expounds the mysteries of the kingdom to those who genuinely seek it, contrasting with the superficiality of the scribes and Pharisees. Finally, the passage profoundly develops the theme of **internal purity over external ritualism**, emphasizing that true defilement originates from the heart's intentions and desires, not from external practices. This theme is foundational to understanding the new covenant emphasis on the transformation of the inner person, as hinted at in passages like [Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant Written on Hearts").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **answered (Greek, _apokrínomai'_):** This word, often translated "answered," carries a broader meaning in the New Testament, sometimes signifying "to begin to speak" or "to respond" in a context where a reply is expected. Here, Peter's "answer" is not necessarily a direct reply to a question posed to him, but rather a response to Jesus' preceding discourse and the disciples' collective bewilderment. It implies a breaking of silence with a request for clarification, indicating a moment of significant interaction and a turning point in the conversation.
* **Declare (Greek, _phrázō'_):** Derived from a root suggesting "to define" or "to indicate," _phrázō_ means "to make clear, explain, interpret, or expound." Peter's use of this verb is a direct plea for Jesus to unveil the hidden meaning of the parable. It indicates that the disciples perceived the parable as having a deeper, veiled truth that required divine illumination, rather than a simple, literal interpretation. This word highlights their recognition of the spiritual mystery inherent in Jesus' teaching.
* **parable (Greek, _parabolḗ'_):** From the verb _parabállō_ ("to throw alongside"), a _parabolḗ_ is a "similitude" or "comparison." It refers to a symbolic narrative, often drawn from common life, used to convey a moral or spiritual truth. While parables were common teaching tools, they often contained veiled meanings, intended to reveal truth to those with "ears to hear" and conceal it from those who were unreceptive. Peter's request acknowledges the nature of the parable as a teaching that requires interpretation to fully grasp its profound implications.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then answered Peter":** This phrase signifies Peter's initiative in speaking, likely on behalf of the other disciples who shared his confusion. Peter, often characterized by his impulsiveness and willingness to speak his mind, steps forward to articulate their collective bewilderment. His "answering" is a response to the perplexing nature of Jesus' recent teaching on defilement.
* **"and said unto him":** This simple clause indicates the direct address to Jesus, emphasizing the personal nature of the disciples' appeal for understanding. It highlights their reliance on Jesus as their authoritative teacher and the source of all truth.
* **"Declare unto us this parable":** This is the core of Peter's request. The imperative "Declare" (from _phrázō_) reveals their recognition that the parable on defilement was not self-explanatory but contained a deeper, spiritual meaning that eluded them. The phrase "unto us" stresses their collective need for clarity, demonstrating a humble and earnest desire to comprehend Jesus' profound spiritual insights, especially those that challenged their deeply held traditional beliefs.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Dialogue**, presenting a direct exchange between Peter and Jesus, which is a common narrative technique in the Gospels to advance the plot and reveal character. Peter's statement is framed as a **Request** or **Interrogation**, signaling the disciples' genuine desire for understanding and setting the stage for Jesus' subsequent explanation. The central concept of the **Parable** itself is also a key literary device, as Jesus often used these veiled narratives to communicate profound spiritual truths, requiring interpretation for full comprehension. This particular parable, concerning what truly defiles a person, serves as a pivotal point in Jesus' teaching, challenging the outward focus of the Pharisees and redirecting attention to the internal state of the heart.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Peter's request for clarification highlights a crucial theological principle: the necessity of divine revelation for spiritual understanding. Human intellect alone often struggles to grasp the profound truths of God's kingdom, especially when those truths challenge deeply ingrained assumptions or traditions. Just as the disciples needed Jesus to "declare" the parable, believers today rely on the Holy Spirit to illuminate Scripture and reveal its transformative power. This passage underscores the contrast between those who are spiritually receptive, even if initially confused, and those who are hardened by pride and tradition, unable to perceive God's truth. It also foreshadows the ongoing need for sound biblical teaching within the church, where God's Word is faithfully expounded to bring clarity and application to believers' lives, moving them beyond superficial understanding to deep spiritual insight and heart transformation.

* [Matthew 13:10-11](/matthew/13-10-11 "Matthew 13:10-11 - Why Jesus Speaks in Parables")
* [1 Corinthians 2:14](/1_corinthians/2-14 "1 Corinthians 2:14 - The Natural Person Cannot Understand Spiritual Things")
* [Luke 24:45](/luke/24-45 "Luke 24:45 - Jesus Opens Their Understanding")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Peter's earnest plea, "Declare unto us this parable," serves as a timeless model for every believer. It reminds us that spiritual growth often begins with a humble admission of our own limitations and a sincere desire for deeper understanding. When we encounter challenging or seemingly contradictory passages in Scripture, our first impulse should not be to dismiss them or force them into preconceived notions, but to humbly ask the Lord, through prayer and diligent study, to "declare" their meaning to us. This requires patience, a teachable spirit, and a reliance on the Holy Spirit, who is given to guide us into all truth. Furthermore, this passage challenges us to examine the true source of "defilement" in our own lives, shifting our focus from external performances or cultural norms to the internal condition of our hearts, where true purity or impurity originates. Just as Jesus patiently explained the parable to His disciples, we are called to be patient with ourselves and others on the journey of spiritual understanding, always seeking to live out the truth of God's Word from a transformed heart.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your spiritual life do you need to ask Jesus to "declare" or clarify His truth?**
* **How does Peter's example encourage you to approach challenging biblical passages or spiritual concepts?**
* **What is the difference between true spiritual defilement and external ritualism in your own life, and how does this passage challenge your perspective?**

### FAQ
**Why did the disciples, especially Peter, struggle to understand this parable?**

Answer: The disciples struggled primarily because Jesus' teaching on defilement fundamentally challenged their deeply ingrained cultural and religious understanding of purity. For centuries, Jewish tradition, particularly as interpreted by the Pharisees, emphasized external rituals, dietary laws, and ceremonial washings as the means of maintaining purity and avoiding defilement. Jesus' statement that "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 "Matthew 15:11 - What Truly Defiles a Person")) was a radical departure from this worldview. It shifted the focus from external actions to the internal state of the heart. This was a revolutionary concept that required a complete reorientation of their understanding of sin, righteousness, and God's law. Peter's request for explanation highlights their genuine confusion and the difficulty of shedding long-held traditions to embrace a new, profound spiritual truth that would later be fully revealed by Jesus in [Matthew 15:16-20](/matthew/15-16-20 "Matthew 15:16-20 - Jesus Explains the Source of Defilement").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 15:15, with Peter's plea for Jesus to "declare unto us this parable," finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ Himself as the supreme revealer of God's truth. In a world shrouded in spiritual darkness and misunderstanding, Jesus is the very Word of God made flesh ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), the one who perfectly embodies and articulates divine wisdom. He is the one who has "declared" God to humanity, for "no one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known" ([John 1:18](/john/1-18 "John 1:18 - No One Has Seen God Except the Son")). Peter's request for clarity on what truly defiles a person points to Christ's ultimate work of purification, not through external rituals, but through the cleansing of the heart by His atoning sacrifice. He came not merely to explain the law, but to fulfill it and to establish a new covenant where the law is written on hearts ([Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant Written on Hearts")), and where His blood cleanses from all sin, making those who believe "a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works" ([Titus 2:14](/titus/2-14 "Titus 2:14 - Christ Purifies a People for Himself")). Thus, Jesus is not only the teacher who declares the parable, but the very truth of the parable, revealing that true defilement is sin from within, and true cleansing comes only through Him.

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

Matthew 13:36

Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.

Mark 4:34

But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.

John 16:29

His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb.

Mark 7:17

And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable.