Matthew 15:2

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

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}.

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

โ€œWhy do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They do not wash their hands before they eat.โ€

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

Commentary

Context of Matthew 15:2

This verse introduces a direct confrontation between Jesus and the religious leaders of His day, specifically the Pharisees and scribes who had come from Jerusalem. They challenge Jesus' disciples for not adhering to the "tradition of the elders," a body of oral laws and customs developed over centuries by rabbinic authorities. These traditions, though not part of the written Mosaic Law, were held with equal or even greater authority by many religious leaders of the time. The specific accusation here is about ceremonial hand washing before eating bread, a ritual purification practice distinct from hygienic washing. This sets the stage for Jesus' powerful rebuke in Matthew 15:3, where He turns the accusation back on them, highlighting their own transgression of God's direct commandments for the sake of their traditions.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Tradition vs. God's Commandment: The central conflict is the elevation of human-made rules and customs above the divine law. The Pharisees prioritized their interpretations and oral traditions over the clear commands of God.
  • External Purity vs. Internal Purity: The religious leaders were meticulously concerned with outward rituals and appearances, such as ceremonial washings. Jesus, however, consistently emphasized the condition of the heart and true internal righteousness. This passage highlights a recurring theme in Jesus' ministry: the contrast between outward religious observances and the true spiritual state. Jesus taught that what comes out of the heart truly defiles a person, not what goes into the mouth.
  • Hypocrisy: Their concern for ritual purity often masked a neglect of true righteousness, love, and justice, revealing a form of spiritual hypocrisy that Jesus frequently condemned.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "tradition of the elders" (Greek: paradosis ton presbyteron) specifically refers to the accumulated oral interpretations and legal decisions of past rabbis, which were later codified in Jewish texts like the Mishnah and Talmud. While some traditions aimed to safeguard the Law, this particular one, known as netilat yadayim (ceremonial hand washing), had become a rigid, ceremonial requirement, distinct from hygienic practice. The word "transgress" (Greek: parabainล) literally means "to step beyond" or "to go against," indicating a violation of an established rule or boundary.

Practical Application

Matthew 15:2 serves as a timeless warning against prioritizing human traditions, denominational rules, or cultural customs over the clear commands and spirit of God's written Word. It challenges believers today to examine their own practices and beliefs: Are we more concerned with outward appearances, rituals, or adherence to man-made regulations, or with genuine internal transformation, a sincere heart devoted to God, and obedience to His true commandments? True worship and obedience stem from a sincere heart, not merely from adherence to external customs or the opinions of others.

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Cross-References

  • Luke 11:38 (6 votes)

    And when the Pharisee saw [it], he marvelled that he had not first washed before dinner.

  • Mark 7:2 (6 votes)

    And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault.

  • Colossians 2:8 (4 votes)

    Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

  • Colossians 2:20 (4 votes)

    Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,

  • Colossians 2:23 (4 votes)

    Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

  • 1 Peter 1:18 (3 votes)

    Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, [as] silver and gold, from your vain conversation [received] by tradition from your fathers;

  • Mark 7:5 (2 votes)

    Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?