Matthew 15:16

KJV

And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding?

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} Jesus {G2424} said {G2036}, Are {G2075} ye {G5210} also {G2532} yet {G188} without understanding {G801}?

Complete Jewish Bible

So he said, "Don't you under stand even now?

Berean Standard Bible

“Do you still not understand?” Jesus asked.

American Standard Version

And he said, Are ye also even yet without understanding?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 15:16 records Jesus's poignant question to His disciples, expressing a gentle yet firm rebuke for their continued lack of spiritual discernment. This query comes immediately after Jesus's radical teaching that true defilement originates not from external rituals or food, but from the evil thoughts and intentions of the human heart, a truth the disciples, despite their proximity to Him, had yet to fully grasp.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a pivotal confrontation between Jesus and the religious establishment concerning the nature of true purity. Earlier in [Matthew 15](/matthew/15 "Matthew 15 - Tradition vs. God's Command"), Pharisees and scribes from Jerusalem challenged Jesus's disciples for neglecting the "tradition of the elders" regarding ritual handwashing before meals ([Matthew 15:2](/matthew/15-2 "Matthew 15:2 - Tradition of the Elders")). Jesus responded by exposing their hypocrisy, quoting [Isaiah 29:13](/isaiah/29-13 "Isaiah 29:13 - Honoring God with Lips Only") to highlight their misplaced priorities—honoring God with lips while their hearts were far from Him ([Matthew 15:8](/matthew/15-8 "Matthew 15:8 - Hearts Far From God")). He then turned to the crowd, proclaiming a revolutionary truth: "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")). When Peter, on behalf of the disciples, later requested an explanation of this "parable" ([Matthew 15:15](/matthew/15-15 "Matthew 15:15 - Peter Asks for Explanation")), Jesus's response in [Matthew 15:16](/matthew/15-16 "Matthew 15:16 - Jesus's Rebuke to Disciples") reveals His surprise and disappointment that even His closest followers were still struggling to comprehend such a fundamental spiritual principle.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Jewish society of Jesus's time was deeply influenced by the Mosaic Law and the elaborate oral traditions developed by the elders (later codified in the Mishnah and Talmud). These traditions often expanded upon, and sometimes overshadowed, the written Law, particularly concerning matters of ritual purity, dietary laws, and Sabbath observance. Handwashing before meals, while not explicitly commanded in the Torah, had become a highly significant ritual for maintaining ceremonial purity, especially among the Pharisees. Jesus's teaching directly challenged this deeply ingrained cultural and religious understanding, shifting the focus from external, ceremonial defilement to internal, moral defilement. His words would have been profoundly shocking and counter-cultural, dismantling centuries of religious practice and thought that equated outward adherence to tradition with righteousness. The disciples, being products of this culture, would have found it challenging to shed these deeply held assumptions, even under Jesus's direct tutelage.

* **Key Themes:** The central themes embedded in [Matthew 15:16](/matthew/15-16 "Matthew 15:16 - Jesus's Rebuke") and its surrounding context include **Spiritual Discernment and Understanding**, highlighting the disciples' persistent struggle to grasp profound spiritual truths beyond superficial interpretations. Despite witnessing miracles and receiving direct instruction from Jesus (as seen in [Matthew 13:10-17](/matthew/13-10-17 "Matthew 13:10-17 - Purpose of Parables")), they often remained "without understanding" ([Matthew 13:13](/matthew/13-13 "Matthew 13:13 - Hearing but Not Understanding")). Another crucial theme is **Internal Purity vs. External Rituals**, where Jesus consistently reorients His followers from a focus on outward religious practices to the state of the heart. He teaches that true defilement stems from evil thoughts and intentions ([Matthew 15:19](/matthew/15-19 "Matthew 15:19 - What Comes From the Heart Defiles")), challenging the prevailing legalistic mindset. Finally, the verse subtly reveals **Jesus's Pedagogical Patience and Expectation**. While His question carries a tone of mild rebuke, it also underscores His ongoing commitment to teaching and guiding His disciples, expecting them to mature in their spiritual comprehension, even when it comes slowly.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **yet (Greek, _akmḗn'_):** This adverb, derived from a noun meaning "acme" or "point," signifies "just now" or "still." Its inclusion in Jesus's question emphasizes the continued nature of the disciples' lack of understanding. It suggests that despite repeated teaching and direct exposure to profound truths, they had not yet progressed beyond their initial spiritual blindness on this particular matter. The word conveys a sense of surprise or disappointment that after all this time, they *still* had not grasped it.
* **without understanding (Greek, _asýnetos'_):** This adjective is a compound word formed from a negative particle ("a-") and "synetos" (meaning "intelligent" or "discerning"). Thus, it literally means "unintelligent" or "lacking understanding." In a spiritual context, it refers to a deficiency in comprehending divine truths, an inability to "put things together" or discern the deeper spiritual implications of Jesus's teaching. It's not merely a lack of information, but a failure to grasp the profound significance of what has been revealed.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Jesus said,"**: This opening clause establishes the speaker and the immediate context of the dialogue. It signifies Jesus's direct engagement with His disciples, setting the stage for a moment of personal instruction and gentle correction. The conjunction "And" connects this statement directly to Peter's request for explanation in the preceding verse, highlighting Jesus's immediate response to their confusion.
* **"Are ye also yet"**: This phrase expresses Jesus's mild astonishment and disappointment. The "also" (G2532, _kaí_) implies that He is surprised to find His disciples in the same state of spiritual dullness as the Pharisees, or perhaps even the general crowds, who might be expected to struggle with deeper truths. The "yet" (G188, _akmḗn_) underscores the persistence of their lack of comprehension, suggesting that despite all the time spent with Him and the direct teaching they had received, they had not moved beyond this fundamental misunderstanding. It's a rhetorical question, not seeking information, but making a point about their current spiritual state.
* **"without understanding?"**: This concluding phrase directly identifies the core issue. The term "without understanding" (G801, _asýnetos_) points to a deeper spiritual inability to grasp the profound truth Jesus had just taught—that defilement comes from the heart, not from external rituals. It's a failure to discern the spiritual implications and to connect the dots between outward observance and inward reality. Jesus is challenging them to move beyond a superficial, literal interpretation of the Law and tradition to a deeper, spiritual comprehension of God's true will.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs a **Rhetorical Question**. Jesus's query, "Are ye also yet without understanding?" is not posed to elicit new information but to make a forceful point and prompt self-reflection. It serves as a gentle rebuke, expressing His mild exasperation and disappointment at the disciples' persistent spiritual dullness. This rhetorical device highlights the gravity of their misunderstanding and underscores the importance of the truth He had just taught. Furthermore, there is an element of **Irony** present. The disciples, who had left everything to follow Jesus and were privy to His private teachings, are still shown to be struggling with fundamental spiritual concepts, akin to those who had not received such direct instruction. This unexpected lack of insight from those closest to Him adds a layer of poignant irony to the narrative.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 15:16 serves as a critical theological pivot, emphasizing the profound shift Jesus initiated from an external, ritualistic understanding of righteousness to an internal, heart-centered one. This verse underscores the New Covenant's emphasis on inward transformation over outward adherence to legalistic traditions. The disciples' struggle highlights humanity's inherent difficulty in grasping spiritual truths without divine illumination, a theme that resonates throughout Scripture. It points to the necessity of a renewed mind and heart to truly understand God's ways, moving beyond superficial observances to a genuine relationship with Him.

* [Mark 8:17-18](/mark/8-17-18 "Mark 8:17-18 - Disciples' Lack of Understanding")
* [Luke 24:45](/luke/24-45 "Luke 24:45 - Jesus Opens Their Understanding")
* [1 Corinthians 2:14](/1_corinthians/2-14 "1 Corinthians 2:14 - Natural Man Cannot Understand Spiritual Things")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse serves as a powerful mirror for contemporary believers, challenging us to honestly assess the depth of our own spiritual understanding. Are we content with merely adhering to external religious practices, or do we diligently seek to grasp the profound, heart-transforming truths of God's Word? Jesus's gentle rebuke to His disciples reminds us that true faith is not about outward conformity but about an inward transformation that reorients our thoughts, desires, and actions. It calls us to move beyond superficial interpretations and cultural traditions, however deeply ingrained, to embrace the radical, liberating truth that genuine purity and defilement originate from the heart. This requires humility, a willingness to be taught, and a persistent pursuit of deeper spiritual discernment, acknowledging that even seasoned believers can find themselves "yet without understanding" in certain areas. Our growth in Christ hinges on our willingness to allow His Word to penetrate our innermost being, reshaping our perspectives and priorities according to His divine wisdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my faith or understanding of Scripture might I still be "without understanding," clinging to external forms rather than internal truth?**
* **How does Jesus's emphasis on the heart challenge my own priorities and practices in daily life and worship?**
* **What steps can I take to cultivate a deeper spiritual discernment, moving beyond superficial knowledge to true comprehension of God's will?**
* **How can I extend patience and grace to others (and myself) in the journey of spiritual growth, recognizing that understanding often comes gradually?**

### FAQ
**Why were the disciples still "without understanding" despite being with Jesus?**

Answer: The disciples, like many people of their time, were deeply steeped in the Jewish cultural and religious traditions, which often emphasized external purity laws and rituals. Jesus's teaching in [Matthew 15:11](/matthew/15-11 "Matthew 15:11 - What Truly Defiles") was revolutionary, directly challenging centuries of established thought by asserting that defilement comes from the heart, not from what goes into the mouth. This was a radical paradigm shift from outward observance to inward spiritual reality. Their struggle to understand was not due to a lack of intelligence, but a deeply ingrained worldview that was difficult to unlearn. It highlights the human tendency to prioritize visible, manageable rules over the challenging, unseen work of heart transformation, a struggle that even those closest to divine truth can experience.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 15:16, with Jesus's gentle yet firm question regarding the disciples' lack of understanding, profoundly illuminates the necessity of Christ for true spiritual discernment. The disciples' inability to grasp that defilement comes from within underscores humanity's inherent spiritual blindness, a condition that only Christ can remedy. He is not merely a teacher of new truths but the very embodiment of truth ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, Truth, and Life")). His coming reveals the true nature of sin as a heart issue ([Mark 7:20-23](/mark/7-20-23 "Mark 7:20-23 - What Comes From Within")), not merely a violation of external codes. Furthermore, Jesus's ultimate work on the cross provides the means for the internal cleansing and transformation that the Law and traditions could never achieve ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Christ's Blood Cleanses Conscience")). Through His Spirit, He "opens our understanding" ([Luke 24:45](/luke/24-45 "Luke 24:45 - Jesus Opens Their Understanding")), enabling us to grasp spiritual realities that are foolishness to the natural mind ([1 Corinthians 2:14](/1_corinthians/2-14 "1 Corinthians 2:14 - Spiritual Discernment")). Thus, the disciples' struggle points to our universal need for Christ, who not only teaches the truth about the heart but also provides the new heart necessary to truly understand and live by it ([Ezekiel 36:26-27](/ezekiel/36-26-27 "Ezekiel 36:26-27 - New Heart and Spirit")).

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 16:9

Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?

Mark 7:18

And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, [it] cannot defile him;

Mark 9:32

But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.

Matthew 15:10

¶ And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:

Luke 9:45

But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying.

Mark 8:17

And when Jesus knew [it], he saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart yet hardened?

Mark 8:18

Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?