Matthew 15:1

Human Traditions and God’s Commandments

1 Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem, saying,

Matthew 15:1 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 15:1

Then came to Jesus Scribes and Pharisees
After he had wrought so many miracles, particularly that of feeding five thousand men; besides women and children, with five loaves and two fishes: the fame of which had reached Jerusalem, and occasioned much talk there about him: the Scribes and Pharisees, who were his inveterate enemies, hearing thereof, came to him, where he was, in Galilee: to know the truth of these things, to converse with him, and to watch, and observe, what he said and did;

which were of Jerusalem, saying.
There were Scribes and Pharisees throughout the land, but those of Jerusalem were the chief; they were men of the greatest learning and abilities, and were more expert in their religion and customs: these were either sent by the sanhedrim at Jerusalem, or came of themselves; taking upon them a greater power, and authority of examining, correcting, directing, and advising.

Matthew 15:1 In-Context

1 Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem, saying,

2 "Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat {a meal}."

3 So he answered [and] said to them, "Why do you also break the commandment of God because of your tradition?

4 For God said, 'Honor your father and your mother,' and 'The one who speaks evil of father or mother {must certainly die}.'

5 But you say, 'Whoever says to his father or his mother, "Whatever {benefit you would have received} from me [is] a gift [to God],"