New Testament · Gospel

Matthew 15:3

Clean and Unclean

Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? Matthew 15:3 · Berean Standard Bible

What It Means

Matthew 15:3, in plain English

Jesus fires back: 'Why do you break God's command for the sake of your tradition?' He flips the accusation right around on them.

Why it's here

When someone judges you by human rules while ignoring God's heart, Jesus shows you it's okay to challenge that. Truth matters more than tradition.

Who's speaking

Jesus responds to the religious leaders with a pointed counter-question.

Where it sits in the story

Jesus doesn't play defense. He shows that the real lawbreakers are the ones pointing fingers.

A Closer Look

The scholarly reading

Jesus' counter-question (dia ti kai humeis, 'why do you also') reframes the debate. He elevates the discussion from human tradition (paradosis) to divine commandment (entolē tou theou), establishing a hierarchy of authority.

Language and setting

Jesus' rhetorical strategy turns the accusers into the accused. By contrasting God's command with human tradition, He challenges the entire Pharisaic hermeneutical framework.

Voice

Jesus responds directly to the religious leaders with a counter-accusation.

Significance

Instead of defending His disciples, Jesus goes on the offensive. He exposes a far more serious violation: the leaders themselves break God's commands.

In context

Matthew 15:1–5

1Then some Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked,

2“Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They do not wash their hands before they eat.”

3Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?

4For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’

5But you say that if anyone says to his father or mother, ‘Whatever you would have received from me is a gift devoted to God,’

Read all of Matthew 15 — Jesus dismantles the purity codes the Pharisees have built and shows that what defiles a person comes from within, not without.

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