Matthew 15:2 - “Why do your disciples disobey the tradition of the elders? For they don’t wash their hands when they eat bread.”
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What does "Matthew 15:2" mean?
This verse from Matthew 15:2 records the Pharisees and scribes questioning Jesus about the behavior of his disciples. Let's break down what it means:
"Why do your disciples disobey the tradition of the elders?" The Pharisees and scribes are accusing Jesus' disciples of violating a practice they considered important. The "tradition of the elders" refers to a set of oral laws and customs that had been passed down through generations, which the Pharisees held as equal in authority to the written Torah (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible).
"For they don't wash their hands when they eat bread." This clarifies the specific tradition being violated. It's important to note that this wasn't about hygiene in the modern sense. The hand washing was a ritual cleansing before eating, specifically performed to purify oneself from potential ritual impurity.
In essence, the Pharisees are saying: "Your disciples are not following our accepted religious customs regarding ritual purity before eating. Why are you allowing them to disregard these traditions?"
The context of this verse is crucial:
Religious authority and interpretation: The Pharisees and scribes were concerned with maintaining their interpretation of religious law and its application to daily life. They saw Jesus and his disciples as challenging their authority.
Jesus' counter-argument (which follows in the rest of Matthew 15): Jesus doesn't dismiss the importance of cleanliness or respect. However, he argues that the focus on these external rituals had led them to neglect more important aspects of the law, such as love, compassion, and inner purity. He accuses them of using these traditions to justify actions that were contrary to the true spirit of God's law.
In summary, the verse reflects a conflict between religious traditions and Jesus' teachings, highlighting the debate over what truly constitutes righteousness and holiness.
Matthew 15:2 - “Why do your disciples disobey the tradition of the elders? For they don’t wash their hands when they eat bread.”
What does "Matthew 15:2" mean?
This verse from Matthew 15:2 records the Pharisees and scribes questioning Jesus about the behavior of his disciples. Let's break down what it means:
"Why do your disciples disobey the tradition of the elders?" The Pharisees and scribes are accusing Jesus' disciples of violating a practice they considered important. The "tradition of the elders" refers to a set of oral laws and customs that had been passed down through generations, which the Pharisees held as equal in authority to the written Torah (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible).
"For they don't wash their hands when they eat bread." This clarifies the specific tradition being violated. It's important to note that this wasn't about hygiene in the modern sense. The hand washing was a ritual cleansing before eating, specifically performed to purify oneself from potential ritual impurity.
In essence, the Pharisees are saying: "Your disciples are not following our accepted religious customs regarding ritual purity before eating. Why are you allowing them to disregard these traditions?"
The context of this verse is crucial:
Religious authority and interpretation: The Pharisees and scribes were concerned with maintaining their interpretation of religious law and its application to daily life. They saw Jesus and his disciples as challenging their authority.
Jesus' counter-argument (which follows in the rest of Matthew 15): Jesus doesn't dismiss the importance of cleanliness or respect. However, he argues that the focus on these external rituals had led them to neglect more important aspects of the law, such as love, compassion, and inner purity. He accuses them of using these traditions to justify actions that were contrary to the true spirit of God's law.
In summary, the verse reflects a conflict between religious traditions and Jesus' teachings, highlighting the debate over what truly constitutes righteousness and holiness.