Mateo 15

1 Entonces llegaron a Jesús ciertos escribas y fariseos de Jerusalén, diciendo

2 ¿Por qué tus discípulos traspasan la tradición de los ancianos? Porque no se lavan las manos cuando comen pan

3 Y él respondiendo, les dijo: ¿Por qué también vosotros traspasáis el mandamiento de Dios por vuestra tradición

4 Porque Dios mandó, diciendo: Honra a tu padre y a tu madre, y el que maldijere al padre o a la madre, muera irremisiblemente

5 Pero vosotros decís: Cualquiera que dijere al padre o a la madre: Es ya ofrenda mía a Dios todo aquello con que pudiera ayudarte

6 y ya no deberá honrar a su padre o a su madre con socorro. Así habéis invalidado el mandamiento de Dios por vuestra tradición

7 Hipócritas, bien profetizó de vosotros Isaías, diciendo

8 Este pueblo de su boca se acerca a mí y de labios me honra, pero su corazón lejos está de mí

9 Mas en vano me adoran, enseñando doctrinas y mandamientos de hombres

10 Y llamando a sí a la multitud, les dijo: Oíd, y entended

11 No lo que entra en la boca contamina al hombre; mas lo que sale de la boca, esto contamina al hombre

12 Entonces acercándose sus discípulos, le dijeron: ¿Sabes que los fariseos, oyendo esta palabra, se ofendieron

13 Pero respondiendo él, dijo: Toda planta que no plantó mi Padre celestial, será desarraigada

14 Dejadlos; son ciegos guías de ciegos; y si el ciego guiare al ciego, ambos caerán en el hoyo

15 Y respondiendo Pedro, le dijo: Decláranos esta parábola

16 Y Jesús dijo: ¿También vosotros sois aún sin entendimiento

17 ¿No entendéis todavía que todo lo que entra en la boca, va al vientre, y es echado en la letrina

18 Mas lo que sale de la boca, del mismo corazón sale; y esto contamina al hombre

19 Porque del corazón salen los malos pensamientos: muertes, adulterios, fornicaciones, hurtos, falsos testimonios, maledicencias

20 Estas cosas son las que contaminan al hombre; pero el comer con las manos sin lavar no contamina al hombre

21 Y saliendo Jesús de allí, se fue a las partes de Tiro y de Sidón

22 Y he aquí una mujer cananea, que había salido de aquellos términos, clamaba, diciéndole: Señor, Hijo de David, ten misericordia de mí; mi hija está enferma, poseida del demonio

23 Mas él no le respondió palabra. Entonces acercándose sus discípulos, le rogaron, diciendo: Despáchala, pues da voces tras nosotros

24 Y él respondiendo, dijo: No soy enviado sino a las ovejas perdidas de la Casa de Israel

25 Entonces ella vino, y le adoró, diciendo: Señor socórreme

26 Y respondiendo él, dijo: No está bien tomar el pan de los hijos, y echarlo a los perrillos

27 Y ella dijo: Sí, Señor; mas los perrillos comen de las migajas que caen de la mesa de sus señores

28 Entonces respondiendo Jesús, dijo: Oh mujer, grande es tu fe; sea hecho contigo como quieres. Y fue sana su hija desde aquella hora

29 Y partiendo Jesús de allí, vino junto al mar de Galilea; y subiendo al monte, se sentó allí

30 Y llegaron a él muchas personas, que tenían consigo cojos, ciegos, mudos, mancos, y muchos otros enfermos; y los pusieron a los pies de Jesús, y los sanó

31 De manera que se maravillaba la multitud, viendo hablar los mudos, los mancos sanos, andar los cojos, y ver los ciegos; y glorificaron al Dios de Israel

32 Y Jesús llamando a sus discípulos, dijo: Tengo misericordia de la multitud, que ya hace tres días que perseveran conmigo, y no tienen qué comer; y enviarlos en ayunas no quiero, para que no desmayen en el camino

33 Entonces sus discípulos le dicen: ¿Dónde tenemos nosotros tantos panes en el desierto, para saciar a una multitud tan grande

34 Y Jesús les dice: ¿Cuántos panes tenéis? Y ellos dijeron: Siete, y unos pocos pececillos

35 Y mandó a la multitud que se recostara sobre la tierra

36 Y tomando los siete panes y los peces, dando gracias, partió y dio a sus discípulos; y los discípulos a la multitud

37 Y comieron todos, y se saciaron; y alzaron lo que sobró de los pedazos, siete canastas llenas

38 Y eran los que habían comido, cuatro mil varones, sin contar las mujeres y los niños

39 Entonces, despedida la multitud, subió en un barco; y vino a los términos de Magdala

Mateo 15 Commentary

Chapter 15

Jesus discourses about human traditions. (1-9) He warns against things which really defile. (10-20) He heals the daughter of a Syrophenician woman. (21-28) Jesus heals the sick, and miraculously feeds four thousand. (29-39)

Verses 1-9 Additions to God's laws reflect upon his wisdom, as if he had left out something which was needed, and which man could supply; in one way or other they always lead men to disobey God. How thankful ought we to be for the written word of God! Never let us think that the religion of the Bible can be improved by any human addition, either in doctrine or practice. Our blessed Lord spoke of their traditions as inventions of their own, and pointed out one instance in which this was very clear, that of their transgressing the fifth commandment. When a parent's wants called for assistance, they pleaded, that they had devoted to the temple all they could spare, even though they did not part with it, and therefore their parents must expect nothing from them. This was making the command of God of no effect. The doom of hypocrites is put in a little compass; "In vain do they worship me." It will neither please God, nor profit themselves; they trust in vanity, and vanity will be their recompence.

Verses 10-20 Christ shows that the defilement they ought to fear, was not from what entered their mouths as food, but from what came out of their mouths, which showed the wickedness of their hearts. Nothing will last in the soul but the regenerating graces of the Holy Spirit; and nothing should be admitted into the church but what is from above; therefore, whoever is offended by a plain, seasonable declaration of the truth, we should not be troubled at it. The disciples ask to be better taught as to this matter. Where a weak head doubts concerning any word of Christ, an upright heart and a willing mind seek for instruction. It is the heart that is desperately wicked, Jer. 17:9 , for there is no sin in word or deed, which was not first in the heart. They all come out of the man, and are fruits of that wickedness which is in the heart, and is wrought there. When Christ teaches, he will show men the deceitfulness and wickedness of their own hearts; he will teach them to humble themselves, and to seek to be cleansed in the Fountain opened for sin and uncleanness.

Verses 21-28 The dark corners of the country, the most remote, shall share Christ's influences; afterwards the ends of the earth shall see his salvation. The distress and trouble of her family brought a woman to Christ; and though it is need that drives us to Christ, yet we shall not therefore be driven from him. She did not limit Christ to any particular instance of mercy, but mercy, mercy, is what she begged for: she pleads not merit, but depends upon mercy. It is the duty of parents to pray for their children, and to be earnest in prayer for them, especially for their souls. Have you a son, a daughter, grievously vexed with a proud devil, an unclean devil, a malicious devil, led captive by him at his will? this is a case more deplorable than that of bodily possession, and you must bring them by faith and prayer to Christ, who alone is able to heal them. Many methods of Christ's providence, especially of his grace, in dealing with his people, which are dark and perplexing, may be explained by this story, which teaches that there may be love in Christ's heart while there are frowns in his face; and it encourages us, though he seems ready to slay us, yet to trust in him. Those whom Christ intends most to honour, he humbles to feel their own unworthiness. A proud, unhumbled heart would not have borne this; but she turned it into an argument to support her request. The state of this woman is an emblem of the state of a sinner, deeply conscious of the misery of his soul. The least of Christ is precious to a believer, even the very crumbs of the Bread of life. Of all graces, faith honours Christ most; therefore of all graces Christ honours faith most. He cured her daughter. He spake, and it was done. From hence let such as seek help from the Lord, and receive no gracious answer, learn to turn even their unworthiness and discouragements into pleas for mercy.

Verses 29-39 Whatever our case is, the only way to find ease and relief, is to lay it at Christ's feet, to submit it to him, and refer it to his disposal. Those who would have spiritual healing from Christ, must be ruled as he pleases. See what work sin has made; what various diseases human bodies are subject to. Here were such diseases as fancy could neither guess the cause nor the cure of, yet these were subject to the command of Christ. The spiritual cures that Christ works are wonderful. When blind souls are made to see by faith, the dumb to speak in prayer, the maimed and the lame to walk in holy obedience, it is to be wondered at. His power was also shown to the multitude, in the plentiful provision he made for them: the manner is much the same as before. All did eat, and were filled. Those whom Christ feeds, he fills. With Christ there is bread enough, and to spare; supplies of grace for more than seek it, and for those that seek for more. Christ sent away the people. Though he had fed them twice, they must not look for miracles to find their daily bread. Let them go home to their callings and their own tables. Lord, increase our faith, and pardon our unbelief, teaching us to live upon thy fulness and bounty, for all things pertaining to this life, and that which is to come.