Notes in Matthew Chapter 15

Note at Matthew 15:2 - This custom of hand washing explained for Gentiles in Mark 7:1-5.

Matthew 15:4-5 - "For God commanded, saying...  But ye say...."

Any time you hear, "God says, BUT" then there is a serious problem.  "I know the Bible says..., BUT!"  "In general I am biblically against ..., BUT in this case...."

Note at Matthew 15:5-6 - "It is a gift..."

A gift to the Lord.  Supposedly consecrating to the Lord what could be used to help parents; then using it for selfish purposes under pretense of use for devoted purposes.  "Corban" in Mark 7:11.  Pharisee loophole in the Law, one of many.

Note at Matthew 15:8 - "...their heart is far from me."

Contrast Matthew 26:41 - "The spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is weak."  The one is insincere.  The other is sincere but simply weak.  Do not confuse the hypocrite (completely insincere) with the carnal or the weak.

Matthew 15:15 - "Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable."

Amazing!  Plain doctrine (Matthew 15:11) thought to be a parable and not understood plainly.  So "Jesus said, are ye also yet without understanding?"  (v. 16).  We must make the efforts to understanding God's word, II Timothy 2:15.

Matthew 15:38 - And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children.

See this note at 14:21.

VM