Matthew 15:15

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

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

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

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

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

In Matthew 15:15, Peter, speaking on behalf of the disciples, asks Jesus for an explanation of the parable He had just delivered. This verse highlights the disciples' initial confusion and their earnest desire to grasp Jesus' profound spiritual teachings.

Context

This request comes immediately after Jesus' teaching regarding true defilement. In Matthew 15:11, Jesus declared that "not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man." This statement challenged the prevailing Jewish traditions and the Pharisees' emphasis on external purity rituals (see Matthew 15:2). The disciples, perhaps accustomed to a more literal interpretation of defilement and surprised by Jesus' direct challenge to the Pharisees, found this teaching perplexing. Peter’s plea, "Declare unto us this parable," underscores their struggle to understand the spiritual truth behind the seemingly simple words, especially after Jesus had just rebuked the Pharisees as "blind leaders of the blind" in the preceding verses.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Seeking Understanding: Peter's request demonstrates a commendable humility and a genuine desire to learn from Jesus, even when the truth is challenging or unclear. It contrasts sharply with the Pharisees' hardened hearts.
  • Jesus as Teacher: This verse sets the stage for Jesus' patient and thorough explanation of the parable, revealing His role as the ultimate revealer of divine truth. He doesn't dismiss their confusion but addresses it directly.
  • Internal vs. External Purity: The underlying theme of the broader passage, which Peter's question seeks to clarify, is the critical distinction between outward religious observance and the true, internal state of a person's heart. This points to the new covenant emphasis on inner transformation.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "declare" is phrazō (φράζω), which means "to make clear, explain, interpret." It's a request for an explicit, unambiguous exposition, indicating that the disciples recognized the deeper meaning was veiled. The word "parable" (parabolē, παραβολή) literally means a "placing alongside" or "comparison," often used to convey spiritual truths through earthly illustrations, which sometimes required further explanation, as seen in Jesus' explanation of the parable of the tares.

Practical Application

Peter's example encourages believers today to not shy away from asking for deeper understanding when encountering challenging or unclear passages in the Bible. It reminds us that spiritual truths are not always immediately obvious and often require prayer, study, and reliance on the Holy Spirit for discernment (John 16:13). Furthermore, it highlights the importance of sound teaching within the church to illuminate God's Word and apply its truths to daily life. Just as Jesus patiently explained the parable to His disciples (Matthew 15:16-20), spiritual leaders are called to clearly expound Scripture.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

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