Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said,
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Pharisees and scribes weren't just casual visitors; they traveled all the way from Jerusalem, signifying they were important religious leaders coming to challenge Jesus directly. Their presence from the capital underscores the seriousness of their intent and the far-reaching influence of Jesus' ministry.
Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Religious leaders, specifically scribes and Pharisees from Jerusalem, arrive to confront Jesus. They accuse his disciples of violating their ancestral traditions, particularly regarding the ritual washing of hands before eating, which marks the beginning of a major theological debate about the authority of human traditions versus God's commandments. This encounter sets the stage for Jesus to expose the hypocrisy of those who prioritize outward observance over inner righteousness.
Why did the top religious leaders travel all the way from Jerusalem to question Jesus? What did their origin signify?
The arrival of scribes and Pharisees from Jerusalem signals a significant escalation in the conflict between Jesus and the religious establishment.
The Pharisees and scribes accused Jesus' disciples of breaking 'the tradition of the elders.' But Jesus turned the tables – what was really at stake?
This passage reveals a fundamental tension between human traditions and God's direct commands.
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Understand the original words
Pharisaioi · Greek Noun
A religious and political party in first-century Judaism known for their strict adherence to the Law of Moses and the oral traditions. They were often in conflict with Jesus due to their legalism and focus on outward purity over internal righteousness.
grammateis · Greek Noun
Scholars, teachers, and interpreters of the Mosaic Law. Their role was to study, teach, and apply the Scriptures to daily life, often working alongside the Pharisees.
c. AD 28
John the Baptist Imprisoned
Herod Antipas imprisons John the Baptist, marking a point of tension and transition in the public ministry of Jesus' forerunner.
c. AD 28-29
Jesus' Galilean Ministry Expands
Jesus' fame grows throughout Galilee due to His teachings and miracles, attracting large crowds but also the attention of religious authorities.
c. AD 29
Feeding of the Five Thousand
Jesus miraculously feeds a large crowd in Galilee, an event that highlights His power and compassion but also leads to attempts to make Him king.
c. AD 29— this verse
Pharisees and Scribes Confront Jesus
A delegation of religious leaders, including Pharisees and scribes from Jerusalem, travels to Galilee to question Jesus and His disciples about their practices, specifically regarding ritual handwashing.
c. AD 29
Jesus withdraws North
Following the confrontation, Jesus withdraws from Galilee to the Gentile regions of Tyre and Sidon, seeking a period of respite and private instruction for His disciples.
This passage describes the same encounter, providing a parallel account that highlights the disciples eating with unwashed hands as the immediate catalyst for the Pharisees' confrontation.
Luke 11:45This verse directly quotes Jesus' condemnation of the scribes and Pharisees for their hypocrisy and the heavy burdens they placed on people, reflecting the same core issue of their traditions overshadowing God's law.
Isaiah 29:13Jesus quotes this passage to rebuke the Pharisees, showing that their empty worship and focus on human traditions was a long-standing problem prophesied by Isaiah.
Colossians 2:8This passage warns against being taken captive by hollow and deceptive philosophy based on human tradition, which directly parallels the critique Jesus leveled against the Pharisees' practices.
Matthew 23:23In a similar denunciation, Jesus calls out the Pharisees for their meticulous attention to tithing small herbs while neglecting the weightier matters of the law, justice, mercy, and faithfulness, echoing the same theme of misplaced priorities.
vincentMatthew 15:1: "Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying,"
Transgress (παραβαίνουσιν)Lit., to step on one side.
barnesMatthew 15:1: "Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying,"
See also Mark 7:1-9 . Then came to Jesus ... - Mark says that they saw the disciples of Jesus eating with unwashed hands.
The Pharisees and scribes weren't just casual visitors; they traveled all the way from Jerusalem, signifying they were important religious leaders coming to challenge Jesus directly. Their presence from the capital underscores the seriousness of their intent and the far-reaching influence of Jesus' ministry.
Religious leaders, specifically scribes and Pharisees from Jerusalem, arrive to confront Jesus. They accuse his disciples of violating their ancestral traditions, particularly regarding the ritual washing of hands before eating, which marks the beginning of a major theological debate about the authority of human traditions versus God's commandments. This encounter sets the stage for Jesus to expose the hypocrisy of those who prioritize outward observance over inner righteousness.
Religious leaders, specifically scribes and Pharisees from Jerusalem, arrive to confront Jesus. They accuse his disciples of violating their ancestral traditions, particularly regarding the ritual washing of hands before eating, which marks the beginning of a major theological debate about the authority of human traditions versus God's commandments. This encounter sets the stage for Jesus to expose the hypocrisy of those who prioritize outward observance over inner righteousness.
"Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said," — The Pharisees and scribes weren't just casual visitors; they traveled all the way from Jerusalem, signifying they were important religious leaders coming to challenge Jesus directly. Their presence f…
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Last reviewed October 2026