Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes came together to Him, having come from Jerusalem. Now when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault. For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands in a special way, holding the tradition of the elders. When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other things which they have received and hold, like the washing of cups, pitchers, copper vessels, and couches. Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?” (Mark 7:1-5; Matthew 15:1-2)
As we studied in the previous lesson, Jesus is teaching in a synagogue in Capernaum, and He's said something that has caused many of the people who were following Him to turn away,“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. (John 6:53-59; see THE GOSPEL: Flesh & Blood, Really) Now, like any good leader would do, the Pharisees have traveled from Jerusalem to where Jesus is, to have a word with Him about what He's doing and teaching the people. But when they get there, the first thing they do is see Jesus' disciples eating bread without washing their hands, and they go on the attack.
He answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written:
As we studied in the previous lesson, Jesus is teaching in a synagogue in Capernaum, and He's said something that has caused many of the people who were following Him to turn away,“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. (John 6:53-59; see THE GOSPEL: Flesh & Blood, Really) Now, like any good leader would do, the Pharisees have traveled from Jerusalem to where Jesus is, to have a word with Him about what He's doing and teaching the people. But when they get there, the first thing they do is see Jesus' disciples eating bread without washing their hands, and they go on the attack.
He answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written:
‘This people honors Me with their lips,
But their heart is far from Me.
And in vain they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ [Isaiah 29:13]
But their heart is far from Me.
And in vain they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ [Isaiah 29:13]
For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men —the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do.” He said to them, “All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition. For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; [Exodus 20:12; Deuteronoy 5:16] and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’ [Exodus 21:17] But you say, ‘If a man says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban”—’ (that is, a gift to God), then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother, making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.” (Mark 7:6-13; Matthew 15:3-9)
Jesus is so good at proving the Pharisees hypocrites, without arguing, but solely by using the Word of God to reveal the truth of their hearts. Many of us can appear to be very religious and righteous, based on our actions, what people can see; but [God] knows the secrets of the heart. (Psalm 44:21) The Pharisees want to question Him about the tradition of men, but they aren't obeying the commandment of God. The commandments of God say nothing about washing hands before eating, but they say a lot about how we are to first treat God, and then how we are to treat eachother. (Exodus 20:1-17; Deuteronoy 5:1-22; see Ten Commandments & Christ) Basically He's asking, what's more important, the things we do for show, or the things we do out of obedience to God? Obviously, the Pharisees had a tradition of teaching the people that if they give their parents some kind of generous gift, they were to claim that the gift came from God, and as a consequence they would no longer help their parents with their needs, but instead give to the Pharisees and the synagogue because you [Pharisees] no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother.
Jesus is clear that that kind of tradition and teaching is against God. Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” (Ephesians 6:1-3) The Greek word translated here as "honor" means to prize, ie. fix a valuation upon, by implication to revere. Jesus is pointing out that they "honor" their traditions and ceremonial instuments more than they "honor" their parents, that things mean more to them than relationships with people, and especially their parents. The Pharisees have lead the people astray with this specific tradition, from obeying the first commandment with promise. When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear Me, everyone, and understand: There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!” (Mark 7:14-16; Matthew 15:10-11)
Then His disciples came and said to Him, “Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?” But He answered and said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.” (Matthew 15:11-14) Yet again, we have to love and appreciate how Jesus responds to hypocrites; He doesn't argue, but He also doesn't make apologies for telling the Truth! Either people will believe or they won't. If they do, and accept Jesus as their Savior and Lord, wonderful. If they don't, that's their choice and they will live with the consequences. We don't have a heaven or a hell to put ourselves, let alone anyone else in, but God does, and Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. God says, “When I choose the proper time, I will judge uprightly." (Psalm 75:2) Like Jesus taught, faith isn't something we can make anyone have. And He said, “Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.” (John 6:65)
When He had entered a house away from the crowd, His disciples asked Him concerning the parable. So He said to them, “Are you thus without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?” And He said, “What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man.” (Mark 7:17-23; Matthew 15:15-20)
Mankind has had the same problem since the beginning, You have plowed wickedness; You have reaped iniquity. You have eaten the fruit of lies, Because you trusted in your own way, In the multitude of your mighty men. (Hosea 10:13) From the time Eve chose to believe the lie of Satan over the Word of God (Genesis 3), up to now, Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. (Genesis 6:5) Our problem is from within, out of the heart. We, just like King David, need to acknowledge and ask God, Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10)
Too many of us would rather listen to what men say and teach us, instead of what God says. God says, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, ...; Because you have forgotten the law of your God,..." (Hosea 4:6) For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly; He guards the paths of justice, And preserves the way of His saints. Then you will understand righteousness and justice, Equity and every good path. (Proverbs 2:6-9) If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!
Jesus is so good at proving the Pharisees hypocrites, without arguing, but solely by using the Word of God to reveal the truth of their hearts. Many of us can appear to be very religious and righteous, based on our actions, what people can see; but [God] knows the secrets of the heart. (Psalm 44:21) The Pharisees want to question Him about the tradition of men, but they aren't obeying the commandment of God. The commandments of God say nothing about washing hands before eating, but they say a lot about how we are to first treat God, and then how we are to treat eachother. (Exodus 20:1-17; Deuteronoy 5:1-22; see Ten Commandments & Christ) Basically He's asking, what's more important, the things we do for show, or the things we do out of obedience to God? Obviously, the Pharisees had a tradition of teaching the people that if they give their parents some kind of generous gift, they were to claim that the gift came from God, and as a consequence they would no longer help their parents with their needs, but instead give to the Pharisees and the synagogue because you [Pharisees] no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother.
Jesus is clear that that kind of tradition and teaching is against God. Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” (Ephesians 6:1-3) The Greek word translated here as "honor" means to prize, ie. fix a valuation upon, by implication to revere. Jesus is pointing out that they "honor" their traditions and ceremonial instuments more than they "honor" their parents, that things mean more to them than relationships with people, and especially their parents. The Pharisees have lead the people astray with this specific tradition, from obeying the first commandment with promise. When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear Me, everyone, and understand: There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!” (Mark 7:14-16; Matthew 15:10-11)
Then His disciples came and said to Him, “Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?” But He answered and said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.” (Matthew 15:11-14) Yet again, we have to love and appreciate how Jesus responds to hypocrites; He doesn't argue, but He also doesn't make apologies for telling the Truth! Either people will believe or they won't. If they do, and accept Jesus as their Savior and Lord, wonderful. If they don't, that's their choice and they will live with the consequences. We don't have a heaven or a hell to put ourselves, let alone anyone else in, but God does, and Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. God says, “When I choose the proper time, I will judge uprightly." (Psalm 75:2) Like Jesus taught, faith isn't something we can make anyone have. And He said, “Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.” (John 6:65)
When He had entered a house away from the crowd, His disciples asked Him concerning the parable. So He said to them, “Are you thus without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?” And He said, “What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man.” (Mark 7:17-23; Matthew 15:15-20)
Mankind has had the same problem since the beginning, You have plowed wickedness; You have reaped iniquity. You have eaten the fruit of lies, Because you trusted in your own way, In the multitude of your mighty men. (Hosea 10:13) From the time Eve chose to believe the lie of Satan over the Word of God (Genesis 3), up to now, Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. (Genesis 6:5) Our problem is from within, out of the heart. We, just like King David, need to acknowledge and ask God, Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10)
Too many of us would rather listen to what men say and teach us, instead of what God says. God says, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, ...; Because you have forgotten the law of your God,..." (Hosea 4:6) For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly; He guards the paths of justice, And preserves the way of His saints. Then you will understand righteousness and justice, Equity and every good path. (Proverbs 2:6-9) If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!
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