Matthew 15:1-3
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The religious leaders who approached Jesus weren't just any scribes and Pharisees; they had traveled all the way from Jerusalem. This detail highlights that this wasn't a casual encounter but a deliberate, high-stakes confrontation, showing their determination to challenge Jesus directly on His home turf.
Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat.” He answered them, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?
English Standard Version (ESV)
A delegation of religious leaders, including scribes and Pharisees from Jerusalem, has traveled to confront Jesus. They approach him with a charge that his disciples are disregarding the traditions of their elders, specifically concerning ritual handwashing before meals. This marks the beginning of a significant theological debate about the nature of true worship and obedience to God.
Why did these religious leaders travel all the way from Jerusalem to confront Jesus?
The arrival of scribes and Pharisees from Jerusalem signals a shift in the narrative. This wasn't a casual encounter; these were prominent religious authorities, likely sent to challenge Jesus directly.
What was the real issue behind the disciples eating with unwashed hands?
The Pharisees and scribes weren't just concerned about hygiene; they were deeply invested in 'the tradition of the elders.' Jesus masterfully redirects their focus from this man-made tradition to the eternal commandments of God.
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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.
paradosis · Greek Noun
Refers to the body of oral laws, interpretations, and practices developed by Jewish religious authorities over generations, considered by them to be authoritative alongside the written Torah. Jesus frequently challenged these when they undermined God's word.
entolē · Greek Noun
A divinely ordained decree or rule given by God for the regulation of human conduct and relationship with Him. In Scripture, these represent God's objective moral will, which holds absolute authority over human customs.
The arrival of religious authorities from Jerusalem signifies a confrontation between Jesus' itinerant ministry and the established religious hierarchy of the capital city, highlighting the tension over differing interpretations of God's law and tradition.
c. AD 28-30— this verse
Jesus' Ministry in Galilee
Jesus conducted much of his public ministry in Galilee, a northern region of ancient Israel.
c. AD 28-30
Pharisaical and Scribe Authority
The scribes and Pharisees, particularly those from Jerusalem, held significant religious and social authority, often setting themselves up as interpreters of the Law.
c. AD 28-30
Traditions of the Elders
These religious leaders emphasized oral traditions passed down from elders, often elevating them to the same level as, or even above, the written Law of Moses.
c. AD 28-30
Growing Opposition to Jesus
As Jesus' popularity and unconventional teachings grew, religious authorities, especially from Jerusalem, became increasingly concerned and critical of his ministry.
This passage describes the same encounter, providing additional details from another Gospel's perspective and highlighting the disciples' initial offense concerning hand-washing.
Luke 11:37-41Jesus is invited to dine with a Pharisee and again challenges their focus on external purity over internal righteousness, echoing the themes in Matthew 15.
Isaiah 29:13This Old Testament prophecy, directly quoted by Jesus in Matthew 15:8-9, foretells the hypocrisy of people who honor God with their lips but whose hearts are far from Him.
Colossians 2:20-23The Apostle Paul warns against adhering to man-made rules and traditions that focus on outward practices rather than the true spiritual life found in Christ.
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 religious leaders who approached Jesus weren't just any scribes and Pharisees; they had traveled all the way from Jerusalem. This detail highlights that this wasn't a casual encounter but a deliberate, high-stakes confrontation, showing their determination to challenge Jesus directly on His home turf.
A delegation of religious leaders, including scribes and Pharisees from Jerusalem, has traveled to confront Jesus. They approach him with a charge that his disciples are disregarding the traditions of their elders, specifically concerning ritual handwashing before meals. This marks the beginning of a significant theological debate about the nature of true worship and obedience to God.
A delegation of religious leaders, including scribes and Pharisees from Jerusalem, has traveled to confront Jesus. They approach him with a charge that his disciples are disregarding the traditions of their elders, specifically concerning ritual handwashing before meals. This marks the beginning of a significant theological debate about the nature of true worship and obedience to God.
"Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat.” He answered them, “And why do you break the commandment of God for…" — The religious leaders who approached Jesus weren't just any scribes and Pharisees; they had traveled all the way from Jerusalem. This detail highlights that this wasn't a casual encounter but a delib…
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Last reviewed October 2026
