Mateo 15

1 Jesús enseña acerca de la pureza interior
En ese momento, algunos fariseos y maestros de la ley religiosa llegaron desde Jerusalén para ver a Jesús.

2 —¿Por qué tus discípulos desobedecen nuestra antigua tradición? —le preguntaron—. No respetan la ceremonia de lavarse las manos antes de comer.

3 Jesús les respondió:

4 Por ejemplo, Dios dice: “Honra a tu padre y a tu madre”
y “Cualquiera que hable irrespetuosamente de su padre o de su madre tendrá que morir”
.

5 Sin embargo, ustedes dicen que está bien que uno les diga a sus padres: “Lo siento, no puedo ayudarlos porque he jurado darle a Dios lo que les hubiera dado a ustedes”.

6 De esta manera, ustedes afirman que no hay necesidad de honrar a los padres;
y entonces anulan la palabra de Dios por el bien de su propia tradición.

7 ¡Hipócritas! Isaías tenía razón cuando profetizó acerca de ustedes, porque escribió:

8 “Este pueblo me honra con sus labios,
pero su corazón está lejos de mí.

9 Su adoración es una farsa
porque enseñan ideas humanas como si fueran mandatos de Dios”
.

10 Luego Jesús llamó a la multitud para que se acercara y oyera.
—les dijo—,

11 Lo que entra por la boca no es lo que los contamina; ustedes se contaminan por las palabras que salen de la boca».

12 Entonces los discípulos se acercaron y le preguntaron:
—¿Te das cuenta de que has ofendido a los fariseos con lo que acabas de decir?

13 Jesús contestó:

14 así que no les hagan caso. Son guías ciegos que conducen a los ciegos, y si un ciego guía a otro, los dos caerán en una zanja.

15 Entonces Pedro le dijo a Jesús:
—Explícanos la parábola que dice que la gente no se contamina por lo que come.

16 —preguntó Jesús—.

17 Todo lo que comen pasa a través del estómago y luego termina en la cloaca,

18 pero las palabras que ustedes dicen provienen del corazón; eso es lo que los contamina.

19 Pues del corazón salen los malos pensamientos, el asesinato, el adulterio, toda inmoralidad sexual, el robo, la mentira y la calumnia.

20 Esas cosas son las que los contaminan. Comer sin lavarse las manos nunca los contaminará.

21 La fe de una mujer gentil
Luego Jesús salió de Galilea y se dirigió al norte, a la región de Tiro y Sidón.

22 Una mujer de los gentiles,
que vivía allí, se le acercó y le rogó: «¡Ten misericordia de mí, oh Señor, Hijo de David! Pues mi hija está poseída por un demonio que la atormenta terriblemente».

23 Pero Jesús no le contestó ni una palabra. Entonces sus discípulos le pidieron que la despidiera. «Dile que se vaya —dijeron—. Nos está molestando con sus súplicas».

24 Entonces Jesús le dijo a la mujer:

25 Ella se acercó y lo adoró, y le rogó una vez más:
—¡Señor, ayúdame!

26 Jesús le respondió:

27 —Es verdad, Señor —respondió la mujer—, pero hasta a los perros se les permite comer las sobras que caen bajo la mesa de sus amos.

28 —le dijo Jesús—,
Y al instante la hija se sanó.

29 Jesús sana a mucha gente
Jesús regresó al mar de Galilea, subió a una colina y se sentó.

30 Una inmensa multitud le llevó a personas cojas, ciegas, lisiadas, mudas y a muchas más. Las pusieron delante de Jesús y él las sanó a todas.

31 ¡La multitud quedó asombrada! Los que no podían hablar, ahora hablaban; los lisiados quedaron sanos, los cojos caminaban bien y los ciegos podían ver; y alababan al Dios de Israel.

32 Jesús alimenta a cuatro mil
Entonces Jesús llamó a sus discípulos y les dijo:

33 Los discípulos contestaron:
—¿Dónde conseguiríamos comida suficiente aquí en el desierto para semejante multitud?

34 —preguntó Jesús.
—Siete panes y unos pocos pescaditos —contestaron ellos.

35 Entonces Jesús le dijo a la gente que se sentara en el suelo.

36 Tomó luego los siete panes y los pescados, dio gracias a Dios por ellos y los partió en trozos. Se los dio a los discípulos, quienes repartieron la comida entre la multitud.

37 Todos comieron cuanto quisieron. Después los discípulos recogieron siete canastas grandes con la comida que sobró.

38 Aquel día, cuatro mil hombres recibieron alimento, además de las mujeres y los niños.

39 Entonces Jesús envió a todos a sus casas, subió a una barca y cruzó a la región de Magadán.

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.