Matthew 15:1–20

Assistant Professor of Christian Studies, School of Christian Studies, University of Mobile

Tradition or Obedience?
Matthew 15:1–20
Tradition. What comes to mind when you read that word? Do you think of family gatherings and things that you enjoy? Does it make you think of requirements that you feel obliged to do no matter how worthless you consider them? The first thing that comes to my mind is the musical “Fiddler on the Roof,” with the main character Tevye explaining that his entire Jewish community does everything based on traditions. The community doesn’t know how the traditions began but they are “tradition.” This is precisely the issue introduced by the Pharisees and answered by Jesus in our passage. Men came to complain to Jesus about His disciples and their unwillingness to follow tradition.

Be Obedient (1–3)
The disciples followed the words and the actions of Jesus, but they were not following Jewish tradition by washing their hands when they ate. This was not a requirement in the Law of Moses (or elsewhere in the Old Testament), yet the Pharisees used it as a bone of contention. Are you disobedient? The answer is yes and so am I. We do not, however, want to admit our disobedience. Either out of rebellion against God or out of pride, we often think that we are better than we truly are. This was the problem of the Pharisees and teachers of the law in Jesus’ day.

The problem with these men, as with us, was selective obedience. They chose to obey certain aspects of the Law of Moses, but it was based on the letter of the law, rather than the spirit of the law. Jesus was about to take them to task for their hypocrisy.

Be Honest (4–9)
Jesus’ indictment against the accusers was that they, in fact, were disobedient to the Word of God. In the midst of following their man-made traditions, they were excusing their disobedience to God. A parallel passage in Mark 7:11–12 explains more of the practices of these men. One practice, in particular, was the invoking of Corban. According to this tradition, a man would commit his possessions to God. Therefore he was no longer obligated to take care of the needs of his parents. Here, they had a rabbinical practice that clearly contradicted the commandment to honor father and mother. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for their dishonesty.

Be Watchful (10–14)
Jesus told His listeners that what defiles a man is what comes out of his mouth, not what he eats. By saying this, He offended the Pharisees, who were not used to being spoken to in this manner. Jesus was not particularly concerned with their sensitive feelings, for He went on to call them blind guides. Rather than helping others to follow God, they were teaching others to follow the traditions of men and reject portions of God’s Word.

Are you blind? When we follow the traditions of this world, we walk in darkness. The psalmist wrote that God’s word is a lamp for our feet and a light for our path. Jesus was pointing to the authority of Scripture and the failure of biblical experts to live according to God’s revelation. May each of us be watchful and diligent to know and practice God’s commandments and instruction.

Be Clean (15–20)
Peter spoke up with honesty, admitting that he did not understand. Jesus explained that food follows one course in and out of the body. By contrast, what comes out of the mouth is begun in the heart. The heart produces wicked thoughts, lies, deceit, murder, sexual perversions and the like (see Jer. 17:9). Jesus taught that these defile a person.

Are you defiled? God is the only one who can clean our defiled hearts (Ps. 51:10). John wrote that if we walk in the light of God, we have fellowship and we are cleansed by the blood of Jesus (1 John 1:5–7). He went on to write that confession of personal sin leads to forgiveness and cleansing (1 John 1:9).
Look at your life, your family, your church. Are you doing what God has called you to do? Are you simply following the traditions of men? Just because something has always been done a certain way does not mean it is biblical — it may just be a tradition.