Matthew 15:10-20

Jesus's repudiation of the Pharisees in the previous passage regarding the commandments of men continues here. The ritual handwashing they were demanding obedience on was never actually in God's word. And Jesus is rebuking their attitude that an added tradition to God's word is an affront to God especially when that teaching affected another person's approach to God.

He said basically what your putting in gets eliminated but what's coming out of their mouth, their false teaching their rejection of His Messiahship, all of that comes from a corruptness inside, and that corruptness defiles the man.

Now here, the disciples must have been “reading the room” and came to Jesus concerned that He had offended the Pharisees. Now why that question? Why now and not previously? It means the reaction of the Pharisees must have been one of absolute rage. They were getting concerned for His safety. But Jesus doesn't dismiss their concern He may even be adding to their anxiety with His reply.

These people, he says, who present themselves as righteous leaders of God were not put here from Him, and are not a part of Him and will be eventually torn out of His kingdom and discarded. He compares their leadership to a blind man guiding a blind man into a ditch. Now at this point you would think Peter and the gang would understand but no, he asks Jesus to explain what He had just said.

Jesus’ question seems a little sharp, but keep in mind He wasn't rebuking Peter, but He was likely expressing disappointment in their understanding. That teaching that a certain ritual be performed that God never prescribed was anathema to God, even if it had been excused as maintaining holiness.

That is the danger of any group of fallible men who claim to have the authority to add to God's word or take from His word by unbiblical means. The disciples probably worried as prior to Jesus's teaching they held them in high esteem. And Jesus's teaching exposed the source of their traditions as being from a murderous heart.

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, if you are a part of a church where it is frowned upon to question their authority or traditions, run. That church is not of God or the truth in any way. If you are part of an organization claiming to be Christian but then claims extra biblical authority, or scriptures, get out of there!

The genuinely good reasons these traditions and teachings are irrelevant. It will be God's word that will be your judge on the final day, not your best intentions.


[10] After Jesus called the crowd to Him, He said to them, “Hear and understand! [11] It is not what enters the mouth that defiles the person, but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles the person.” [12] Then the disciples came and *said to Him, “Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this statement?” [13] But He answered and said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father did not plant will be uprooted. [14] Leave them alone; they are blind guides of blind people. And if a person who is blind guides another who is blind, both will fall into a pit.” [15] Peter said to Him, “Explain the parable to us.” [16] Jesus said, “Are you also still lacking in understanding? [17] Do you not understand that everything that goes into the mouth passes into the stomach, and is eliminated? [18] But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and those things defile the person. [19] For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, acts of adultery, other immoral sexual acts, thefts, false testimonies, and slanderous statements. [20] These are the things that defile the person; but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the person.”