Matthew 15:1

What Makes People "Unclean"?

1 Some Pharisees and some teachers of the law came from Jerusalem to see Jesus. They asked,

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 Some Pharisees and some teachers of the law came from Jerusalem to see Jesus. They asked,

2 "Why don't your disciples obey what the elders teach? Your disciples don't wash their hands before they eat!"

3 Jesus replied, "And why don't you obey God's command? You would rather follow your own teachings!

4 God said, 'Honor your father and mother.'(Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16) He also said, 'If anyone calls down a curse on his father or mother, he will be put to death.'(Exodus 21:17; Leviticus 20:9)

5 But you allow people to say to their parents, 'Any help you might have received from us is a gift set apart for God.'