Matthew 15:15

15 But Peter answered [and] said to him, "Explain this parable to us."

Matthew 15:15 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 15:15

Then answered Peter
Mark says, "his disciples asked him concerning the parable"; which might be by the mouth of Peter; who, probably, being the eldest man, and very forward to speak, was generally their spokesman: and who, at this time, might be requested, by the rest, to ask the meaning of the parable, which had given offence to the Pharisees, and was not clearly understood by them; which he accordingly did:

and said unto him, declare unto us this parable;
that not what goes into the mouth, but what comes out of it, defiles the man; which, though expressed in very plain words, and easy to be understood, yet did not appear clear to their understandings; and seemed to be contrary, not only to the traditions of the elders, but to the laws of God, respecting the difference of clean and unclean meats; and therefore call it a "parable", and desire an explanation of it.

Matthew 15:15 In-Context

13 And he answered [and] said, "Every plant that my heavenly Father did not plant will be uprooted.

14 Let them! They are blind guides of the blind. And if the blind guide the blind, both will fall into a pit."

15 But Peter answered [and] said to him, "Explain this parable to us."

16 But he said, "Are you also still without understanding?

17 Do you not understand that everything that enters into the mouth goes into the stomach and is evacuated into the latrine?

Footnotes

• [a]. *Here "[and]" is supplied because the previous participle ("answered") has been translated as a finite verb