Matthew 15:3

3 And he answering said to them, `Wherefore also do ye transgress the command of God because of your tradition?

Matthew 15:3 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 15:3

But he answered and said unto them
Taking no notice of the tradition about eating bread without washing the hands, whether it was right or wrong; it being at most but an human tradition, of no moment and importance, whether it was broke or kept; he makes a very just recrimination, by putting another question to them,

why do you also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?
suggesting, that, if his disciples were guilty, they were not so guilty as they themselves were; that his disciples, at most, were but guilty of the breach of an human precept, whereas they were guilty of the breach of a divine command; and that it was strange, that men who were so scrupulous of breaking, and bore so hard on such as did transgress the traditions of the elders, could allow themselves to transgress the commandments of God; yea, to do this by, and while they were observing their own traditions: and which observation carries a full acquittance of the disciples from blame; for, if by keeping the traditions of the elders, they broke the commands of God, it was a very good reason why they should not observe them.

Matthew 15:3 In-Context

1 Then come unto Jesus do they from Jerusalem -- scribes and Pharisees -- saying,

2 `Wherefore do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they do not wash their hands when they may eat bread.'

3 And he answering said to them, `Wherefore also do ye transgress the command of God because of your tradition?

4 for God did command, saying, Honour thy father and mother; and, He who is speaking evil of father or mother -- let him die the death;

5 but ye say, Whoever may say to father or mother, An offering [is] whatever thou mayest be profited by me; --