1 Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying,
2 Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.
3 But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?
4 For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.
5 But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;
6 And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.
7 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,
8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
10 And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:
11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.
12 Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?
13 But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.
14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
15 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable.
16 And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding?
17 Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?
18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.
19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
20 These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.
21 Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.
22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.
23 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.
24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.
26 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.
27 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.
28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.
29 And Jesus departed from thence, and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there.
30 And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus' feet; and he healed them:
31 Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.
32 Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.
33 And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude?
34 And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes.
35 And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground.
36 And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
37 And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full.
38 And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children.
39 And he sent away the multitude, and took ship, and came into the coasts of Magdala.
Matthew Chapter 15 is a significant chapter in the New Testament of the KJV Holy Bible. It entails some of the most profound teachings of Jesus Christ, focusing on faith, humility, and the essence of true defilement. This chapter also includes the stories of Jesus healing the multitudes and feeding the four thousand, demonstrating His divine power and compassion. In essence, it is a chapter that addresses the conflict between human tradition and divine command, the power of faith, and the mercy of Jesus Christ.
The chapter begins with a confrontation between Jesus and the Pharisees, who question Him about His disciples' disregard for the traditional ceremonial washing of hands before eating (Matthew 15:1-2). The Pharisees, a group of religious leaders, were known for their strict adherence to Jewish laws and traditions. They were critical of Jesus and His disciples for not observing these traditions. However, Jesus responds by accusing the Pharisees of hypocrisy. He points out their practice of 'Corban', where they dedicate their resources to God to avoid honoring their parents, thus violating the commandment of honoring one's parents (Matthew 15:3-6).
This confrontation highlights the conflict between human traditions and divine commands. The Pharisees, in their rigid adherence to tradition, had missed the essence of God's laws. Jesus emphasizes that it is not the violation of human traditions that defiles a person, but the violation of God's commandments. He illustrates this by saying, "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). This statement, while simple, holds profound meaning. It challenges the Pharisees' superficial understanding of purity and impurity, underscoring that true defilement comes from the heart, not from external behaviors or rituals.
The subsequent part of the chapter narrates the story of a Canaanite woman who approaches Jesus to heal her demon-possessed daughter (Matthew 15:21-28). Despite being a Gentile and initially ignored by Jesus, the woman persists in her plea, demonstrating her faith in Jesus' power to heal. Impressed by her faith and humility, Jesus heals her daughter, stating, "O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt" (Matthew 15:28).
This incident underlines the power of faith. The Canaanite woman, despite being an outsider and initially rebuffed, did not lose faith. Her persistence and humility ultimately led to the healing of her daughter. This story is a testament to the transformative power of faith, underscoring that faith, regardless of one's race or status, is rewarded by God.
The latter part of the chapter recounts Jesus healing the multitudes and feeding the four thousand (Matthew 15:29-39). These miracles demonstrate Jesus' divine power and His compassion for the people. The healing of the multitudes underlines His authority over disease and disability, while the feeding of the four thousand underscores His ability to provide for physical needs. In both instances, Jesus' actions reflect His divine nature and His mission to bring salvation to humanity.
The feeding of the four thousand is particularly significant. Despite having a meager seven loaves and a few small fish, Jesus feeds a multitude, with seven baskets of leftovers. The miracle is not just about physical sustenance but also carries a spiritual message. It symbolizes the abundance of God's grace, His ability to meet our needs beyond our expectations, and the importance of sharing with others.
In conclusion, Matthew Chapter 15 in the KJV Holy Bible is a rich tapestry of teachings and miracles that reveal the nature of Jesus Christ and His divine mission. The chapter challenges the superficial understanding of purity, emphasizing that true defilement comes from within, not from external behaviors or rituals. It underscores the power of faith, as seen in the story of the Canaanite woman, and the transformative potential of faith that transcends racial and social barriers. The miracles of healing the multitudes and feeding the four thousand demonstrate Jesus' divine power, His compassion for the people, and the abundance of God's grace.
This chapter, therefore, is a call to genuine faith and righteousness. It invites us to move beyond superficial religious practices and to embrace a faith that transforms from within. It challenges us to trust in God's provision, even in situations of scarcity, and to share generously with others. Above all, it is a reminder of Jesus' divine nature and His mission of salvation, offering hope and reassurance to all who believe in Him.
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