Matthew 15:3

"“Why do your disciples disobey the tradition of the elders? For they don’t wash their hands when they eat bread.”"

Key Reflection

This question challenges Jesus' disciples on why they are not adhering to the Jewish traditions regarding hand washing before meals, highlighting a conflict between established practices and divine commandments. It sets the stage for Jesus to critique the focus on external rituals over genuine faith and compassion.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Verse 3. But he answered, etc. They accused him of violating their traditions, as though they were obligatory. In his answer he implied that they were not bound to obey their traditions. They were invented by men. He said also that those traditions could not be binding, as they violated the commandments of God. He proceeds to specify a case where their tradition made void one of the plain laws of God. And if that was their character, then they could not blame him for not regarding them.

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