[1] Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, [2] Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. [3] But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? [4] For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. [5] But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; [6] And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. [7] Ye hypocrites, well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying, [8] This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. [9] But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Verses 1-2 Expanded Bible Comments
| Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, [2] Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| Who came to Jesus? | Scribes and Pharisees of Jerusalem. |
| What did they ask of him? | Why his disciples did not keep the tradition of the elders by failing to wash their hands before eating. |
| What was their apparent purpose in asking this? | They were trying to "show him up" by pointing out that they were the ones who kept the Jewish traditions while the followers of Jesus did not. This, they thought, would make them look more favorable (and Jesus look less favorable) in the eyes of the people. |
| What should be our attitude when coming to Jesus? | We need to make sure that our hearts are pure and we are approaching with a desire to learn of Him. |
Verses 3-6 Expanded Bible Comments
| But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? [4] For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. [5] But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; [6] And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| Did Jesus chide them for keeping their traditions? – Read carefully. | It was not because they kept their traditions. It was because they had allowed their traditions to become more important than the commandments of God. |
| Where does it say to Honor thy father and mother? | Exo. 20:12; Lev. 19:3 |
| Where does it say the penalty for cursing his father or mother is death? | Exo. 21:17; Lev. 20:9 |
| What practice of the Jews did Jesus say was in violation of God's commandment? | "It is a gift (corban – Mark 7:11) The Jews said if a lad devoted his service to the Priests and the temple then his parents no longer had any claim on his time or the work he would have done for the family. |
| What was wrong with this practice? | Exactly as Jesus said. It violated the command to honor father and mother. Thus they had put their tradition above the commandment of God. |
Verses 7-9 Expanded Bible Comments
| Ye hypocrites, well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying, [8] This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. [9] But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| Where did Isaiah say this? | Isa. 29:13 |
| What was it that prompted Jesus to call them hypocrites and site the Isaiah text? | They were outwardly saying the right things but their hearts were not in harmony with their words. |
[10] And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: [11] Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. [12] Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? [13] But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. [14] Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. [15] Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable. [16] And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding? [17] Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? [18] But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. [19] For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: [20] These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.
Verses 10-11 Expanded Bible Comments
| And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: [11] Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. | |
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| Question | Answer |
| What prompted Jesus to make these remarks? | The scribes and Pharisees had just asked Jesus why his disciples did not wash their hands before eating, in violation of the tradition of the elders. |
| To whom did Jesus address his remarks? | The multitude. |
| What was his point. | What comes from the heart is what is important. – Prov. 4:23; Luke 6:45 |
Verse 12 Expanded Bible Comments
| Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| What was it the disciples were concerned about? | That Jesus had offended the Pharisees. |
Verses 13-14 Expanded Bible Comments
| But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. [14] Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. | |
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| Question | Answer |
| Why did Jesus refer to a plant being rooted up? | Because they were not the true church, the one planted by the heavenly Father. Isa. 60:21; 61:3 |
| What did Jesus say about the eyesight of the Pharisees? | Isa. 56:10 |
| What did this imply about those who followed the Pharisees? | That they too (because of following these leaders) will also be blind and will fall. |
| Does this have any application in our time? | This was all a reference to the church of Laodicia. Isa. 8:14; Rev. 3:17-18 |
Verse 15 Expanded Bible Comments
| Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable. | |
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| Question | Answer |
| Did Jesus say this was a parable? | No. The disciples recognized this was a parable. |
Verses 16-20 Expanded Bible Comments
| And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding? [17] Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? [18] But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. [19] For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: [20] These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| Did Jesus seem to be surprised by the disciples question? | Whether Jesus was actually surprised by their question or not He took the occasion to suggest to them that if they had paid a little more attention to his words they would be further along in their understanding. John 6:63 |
| What was the parable? | Verse 11. |
| What does the human body do with the food we eat? | It takes the nourishment from it and eliminates what is waste. |
| Why did Jesus say "What proceeds out of the mouth" is more important than what goes into the mouth? | Because what comes out of the mouth is an indicator of our heart condition. |
| Does this mean we should not pay attention to what we eat? | No. |
| What does it mean? | In the case of eating a meal we are feeding our natural man. While this is needful it is not nearly as important as the feeding of the Spiritual, the new man. |
| What was it that prompted this parable? | The question of the Pharisees as to why the disciples of Jesus did not wash their hands before eating? |
| How might we apply this lesson in our own lives? | |
[21] Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. [22] And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. [23] But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. [24] But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. [25] Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. [26] But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and cast it to dogs. [27] And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table. [28] Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.
Parallel account found in Mark 7:24-30 |
Verses 21-22 Expanded Bible Comments
| Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. [22] And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. | |
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| Question | Answer |
| Where did Jesus go next? | |
| Where did the woman come from? | Canaan, i.e., from that region. |
| Was it unusual for such a woman to be found there? | Of course not. That is where she lived. |
| What problem did the woman have? | Her daughter was possessed by a devil. |
| How did she address Jesus? | "Son of David." Even though being a Gentile she new of the Jewish hopes and that they often referred to their Messiah by that title. |
| What did the woman ask for? | Mercy. |
Verses 23-24 Expanded Bible Comments
| But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. [24] But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. | |
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| Question | Answer |
| How did Jesus respond to the woman? | He ignored her. |
| What did Jesus' disciples request of him? | She is bothering us. Send her away. |
| What did Jesus say? | I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. |
| What was the significance of this? | "You only have I known of all the families of the earth." - Amos 3:2 |
Verses 25-26 Expanded Bible Comments
| Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. [26] But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and cast it to dogs. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| How did the woman respond? | She continued to ask for help. |
| What was the import of what Jesus said? | His response was similar to that above, i.e., like Amos 3:2. |
Verses 27-28 Expanded Bible Comments
| And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table. [28] Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| Did the woman take offence at this? | No, though she well might have if her heart was not right. |
| How did Jesus react to her response? | He remarked about her faith. |
| What happened next? | Jesus gave her "a crumb from the master's table" and told her that according to her faith her request would be fulfilled. |
| What lessons might we gain from this account? | God's hand is not short. While His special blessings are for the spirit-begotten now, He has not bound himself to hold back blessings to others, even now before the blessings of the New Covenant are given. |
[29] And Jesus departed from thence, and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there. [30] And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus' feet; and he healed them: [31] Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.
Verses 29-31 Expanded Bible Comments
| And Jesus departed from thence, and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there. [30] And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus' feet; and he healed them: [31] Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| To where did Jesus travel next? | To a mountain near the sea of Galilee. |
| What happened while he was there? | He healed many. |
| What was the attitude of Jesus to the multitudes? | Clearly he had compassion on them. |
| How did the multitude react? | "They glorified the God of Israel." |
[32] Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way. [33] And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude? [34] And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes. [35] And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. [36] And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. [37] And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full. [38] And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children. [39] And he sent away the multitude, and took ship, and came into the coasts of Magdala.
Verses 32-33 Expanded Bible Comments
| Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way. [33] And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude? | |
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| Question | Answer |
| What was the attitude of Jesus to the multitudes? | Clearly he had compassion on them because they did not have food. |
| How long had the multitude been in the company of Jesus? | Three days. |
| What does this say about the multitude? | They had at least enough faith to believe that Jesus would heal them. This also gave them greater cause to hear His message. |
Verses 34-38 Expanded Bible Comments
| And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes. [35] And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. [36] And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. [37] And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full. [38] And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children. | |
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| Question | Answer |
| What did Jesus do next? | He inquired about how much food the disciples had with them. |
| What did the disciples have in the way of food? | 7 loaves of bread and a few small fish. |
| What did Jesus do next? | 1. He gave thanks. 2. He broke bread and gave it to his disciples. |
| What did his disciples do? | They gave the food to the multitude. |
| What did the multitude do? | They ate their fill. |
| How much food was left over? | 7 baskets full. |
| How many were fed? | 4 thousand plus women and children. |
| What are some of the lessons we may take away from this account? | 1. God will supply all our need. 2. We note that Jesus first asked the disciples what they had. "What is that in thine hand?" 3. Then he set things in order (by having the multitude sit.) 4. He gave thanks to God in prayer. 5. He gave to His disciples. 6. His disciples gave to the multitude. 7. Nothing was left to be wasted. This is how he has dealt throughout the Gospel Age. His disciples walk by faith in God - He will supply all our need. His disciples must learn to use that which is "in thine hand." Do not go about in a hap-hazard manner but attempt to set things in order. Give God the thanks for all we have. Jesus did not give the Truth to each one individually but He gave to the angel (messenger) of each stage of the church, and the messenger gave to the church. All who are hungering and thirsting for the Truth will be filled. |
Verse 39 Expanded Bible Comments
| And he sent away the multitude, and took ship, and came into the coasts of Magdala. | |
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| Question | Answer |
| After sending away the multitude, where did they go next? | To Magdala. (Western most edge of sea of Galilee) |
