Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen and understand. New Living Translation Then Jesus called to the crowd to come and hear. “Listen,” he said, “and try to understand. English Standard Version And he called the people to him and said to them, “Hear and understand: Berean Standard Bible Jesus called the crowd to Him and said, “Listen and understand. Berean Literal Bible And having summoned the crowd, He said to them, "Hear and understand! King James Bible And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: New King James Version When He had called the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear and understand: New American Standard Bible After Jesus called the crowd to Him, He said to them, “Hear and understand! NASB 1995 After Jesus called the crowd to Him, He said to them, “Hear and understand. NASB 1977 And after He called the multitude to Him, He said to them, “Hear, and understand. Legacy Standard Bible After Jesus called the crowd to Him, He said to them, “Hear and understand. Amplified Bible After Jesus called the crowd to Him, He said, “Listen and understand this: Christian Standard Bible Summoning the crowd, he told them, “Listen and understand: Holman Christian Standard Bible Summoning the crowd, He told them, “Listen and understand: American Standard Version And he called to him the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: Contemporary English Version Jesus called the crowd together and said, "Pay attention and try to understand what I mean. English Revised Version And he called to him the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: GOD'S WORD® Translation Then he called the crowd and said to them, "Listen and try to understand! Good News Translation Then Jesus called the crowd to him and said to them, "Listen and understand! International Standard Version Then calling out to the crowd, he addressed them, "Listen and understand! NET Bible Then he called the crowd to him and said, "Listen and understand. New Heart English Bible He summoned the crowd, and said to them, "Hear, and understand. Webster's Bible Translation And he called the multitude, and said to them, Hear, and understand: Weymouth New Testament Then, when He had called the people to Him, Jesus said, "Hear and understand. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleJesus called the crowd to Him and said, “Listen and understand. World English Bible He summoned the multitude, and said to them, “Hear, and understand. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd having called near the multitude, He said to them, “Hear and understand: Berean Literal Bible And having summoned the crowd, He said to them, "Hear and understand! Young's Literal Translation And having called near the multitude, he said to them, 'Hear and understand: Smith's Literal Translation And having called the crowd, he said to them, Hear ye, and understand. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd having called together the multitudes unto him, he said to them: Hear ye and understand. Catholic Public Domain Version And having called the multitudes to him, he said to them: “Listen and understand. New American Bible He summoned the crowd and said to them, “Hear and understand. New Revised Standard Version Then he called the crowd to him and said to them, “Listen and understand: Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThen he called the people and said to them, Listen and understand. Aramaic Bible in Plain English And he called the crowds and he said to them, “Hear and understand.” NT Translations Anderson New TestamentAnd he called the multitude to him, and said to them: Hear and understand; Godbey New Testament And calling the multitude to Him, He said to them, Haweis New Testament And he called to him the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: Mace New Testament Then he called the multitude and said to them, hear and understand. Weymouth New Testament Then, when He had called the people to Him, Jesus said, "Hear and understand. Worrell New Testament And, having called the multitude near, He said to them, Worsley New Testament And He called the multitude to Him, and said unto them, Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context What Defiles a Man9They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’ ” 10 Jesus called the crowd to Him and said, “Listen and understand. 11A man is not defiled by what enters his mouth, but by what comes out of it.”… Cross References Mark 7:14-15 Once again Jesus called the crowd to Him and said, “All of you, listen to Me and understand: / Nothing that enters a man from the outside can defile him; but the things that come out of a man, these are what defile him.” Matthew 12:34 You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. Luke 6:45 The good man brings good things out of the good treasure of his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil treasure of his heart. For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. James 3:6-10 The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. / All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, / but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. ... Proverbs 4:23 Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life. Isaiah 29:13 Therefore the Lord said: “These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is but rules taught by men. Matthew 23:25-26 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. / Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, so that the outside may become clean as well. Romans 14:14 I am convinced and fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean. Acts 10:15 The voice spoke to him a second time: “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” 1 Corinthians 8:8 But food does not bring us closer to God: We are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do. 1 Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.” Jeremiah 17:9-10 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? / I, the LORD, search the heart; I examine the mind to reward a man according to his way, by what his deeds deserve. Ezekiel 36:25-27 I will also sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols. / I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. / And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances. Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Treasury of Scripture And he called the multitude, and said to them, Hear, and understand: he. 1 Kings 22:28 And Micaiah said, If thou return at all in peace, the LORD hath not spoken by me. And he said, Hearken, O people, every one of you. Mark 7:14,16 And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand: … Luke 20:45-47 Then in the audience of all the people he said unto his disciples, … Hear. Matthew 13:19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. Matthew 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Isaiah 6:9 And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. Jump to Previous Clear Crowd Ear Hear Jesus Multitude Summoned Together Understand WordsJump to Next Clear Crowd Ear Hear Jesus Multitude Summoned Together Understand WordsMatthew 15 1. Jesus reproves the Scribes and Pharisees 7. for transgressing God's commandments through their own traditions; 10. teaches how that which goes into the mouth does not defile a man. 21. He heals the daughter of the woman of Canaan, 29. and other great multitudes; 32. and with seven loaves and a few small fish feeds four thousand men Jesus called the crowd to Him In this passage, Jesus is actively engaging with the people around Him, emphasizing His role as a teacher and leader. This action of calling the crowd indicates His desire to communicate an important message. In the context of first-century Judea, rabbis often taught in public spaces, and Jesus frequently used such opportunities to address larger groups. This setting underscores His accessibility and willingness to teach all who would listen, not just His disciples. The act of calling the crowd also highlights the inclusive nature of His ministry, reaching out to both Jews and Gentiles. and said, “Listen and understand. Persons / Places / Events 1. JesusThe central figure in this passage, Jesus is teaching the crowd, emphasizing the importance of understanding His message. 2. The Crowd A group of people gathered around Jesus, representing a diverse audience eager to hear His teachings. 3. Pharisees and Scribes Although not directly mentioned in this verse, they are the religious leaders whose traditions Jesus is challenging in the surrounding context. 4. Disciples Followers of Jesus who are present and learning from His teachings, often needing further explanation. 5. Gennesaret The region where Jesus is teaching, providing a geographical context for His ministry. Teaching Points The Importance of ListeningJesus calls us to actively listen and seek understanding, not just hear words. This requires an open heart and mind. Understanding Over Tradition Jesus challenges the crowd to prioritize understanding His teachings over merely following human traditions. Heart Condition True defilement comes from the heart, not external actions. We must examine our hearts and motives. Active Engagement Engaging with Jesus' teachings requires more than passive listening; it demands thoughtful reflection and application. Community Learning Jesus addresses the crowd, highlighting the importance of communal learning and discussion in understanding His message. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Matthew 15:10?2. How does Matthew 15:10 challenge us to prioritize inner purity over external rituals? 3. What does "hear and understand" in Matthew 15:10 imply about spiritual discernment? 4. How can we apply Matthew 15:10 to avoid legalism in our faith? 5. How does Matthew 15:10 connect with Proverbs 4:23 about guarding our hearts? 6. In what ways can Matthew 15:10 guide our conversations and interactions with others? 7. What does Matthew 15:10 mean by "Listen and understand" in a spiritual context? 8. How does Matthew 15:10 challenge traditional religious practices? 9. What historical context influenced the message of Matthew 15:10? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Matthew 15? 11. How does Jesus exemplify human qualities and experiences? 12. Is Jesus contradicting established Jewish laws by declaring that eating with unwashed hands does not defile a person (Matthew 15:1–11)? 13. Proverbs 10:15 depicts wealth as a 'fortified city'--does this conflict with Jesus' warnings about riches in the New Testament? 14. Mark 3:29: How does the unforgivable sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit align with or contradict the broader biblical teaching of a merciful and forgiving God? What Does Matthew 15:10 Mean Jesus called the crowd to Him• The initiative is entirely the Lord’s; He gathers people so they can receive truth (cf. Matthew 11:28–29; Mark 7:14, the parallel account). • By summoning “the crowd,” Jesus moves the spotlight from a private debate with Pharisees (15:1–9) to a public teaching moment, showing that the lesson about genuine purity is meant for everyone, not just religious leaders (cf. Isaiah 55:1). • His action pictures grace: sinners do not stumble upon life-giving words; Christ actively draws them (John 12:32). and said • The verb underscores authority—when Jesus speaks, heaven’s verdict is pronounced (Matthew 7:29; John 6:63). • He speaks plainly, not in parables this time, because the issue of inner versus outer defilement must be unmistakable (cf. John 18:20). • What He says will overturn human tradition that had eclipsed God’s intent (Matthew 15:3, 6). “Listen and understand.” • Two commands: – Listen—give undivided attention; stop letting noise drown out truth (Proverbs 2:2). – Understand—grasp the meaning, let it sink in until it shapes conviction (James 1:22). • The pair recalls Deuteronomy 6:4 (“Hear, O Israel”) where hearing leads to wholehearted obedience. Jesus is reclaiming that original call. • By coupling these imperatives, He signals that external rituals are worthless unless the heart comprehends and responds (1 Samuel 15:22; Hosea 6:6). • In the verses that follow (15:11, 17-20), He will explain that real defilement arises from the heart, not from unwashed hands or dietary minutiae—truth that frees the conscience (Acts 10:15; Romans 14:17). summary Matthew 15:10 shows Jesus taking charge, gathering an audience, and issuing a double command: “Listen and understand.” He invites ordinary people to receive divine revelation, speaks with sovereign authority, and insists that genuine purity is an inner matter grasped by attentive, obedient hearts. (10) He called the multitude, and said unto them.--The act was more startling and suggestive than appears on the surface. He did not appeal to the authority of great names or of a higher tribunal. He removed the case, as it were, to another court, which His opponents did not recognise, and turned from the disputes and traditions of the schools to the unperverted conscience of the common people.Verse 10. - He called the multitude. Jesus had now finally broken with the Pharisaical party; he had carried the war into their camp. It was necessary that those who had followed these false teachers should know, on the one hand, to what irreligion, immorality, and profanity their doctrines led, and, on the other, should learn the unadulterated truth, "pure religion and undefiled before our God and Father." So he calls around him the crowd of common people, who from respect had stood aloof during the previous controversy, and teaches them a great moral truth which concerns every human being. Hear, and understand. The distinction which he was about to enunciate was difficult for persons trained in Pharisaical dogmas to receive and understand; he therefore calls special attention to his coming words. The depreciation of ceremonial cleansings might easily be misunderstood. Jesus would say - There is indeed cleansing necessary for all men; but it does not consist in outward washings, but in inward holiness. In what follows, our Lord says nothing definitely about the distinction between clean and unclean meats laid down in the Mosaic Law; he would only show that impurity in the moral sense came from within. This is leading up to the principle enunciated by the apostle, "Every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it be received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified through the Word of God and prayer" (1 Timothy 4:4, 5).Parallel Commentaries ... Greek [Jesus] calledπροσκαλεσάμενος (proskalesamenos) Verb - Aorist Participle Middle - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 4341: To call to myself, summon. Middle voice from pros and kaleo; to call toward oneself, i.e. Summon, invite. the τὸν (ton) Article - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. crowd [to Him] ὄχλον (ochlon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 3793: From a derivative of echo; a throng; by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot. [and] said, εἶπεν (eipen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say. “Listen Ἀκούετε (Akouete) Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural Strong's 191: To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. understand. συνίετε (syniete) Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural Strong's 4920: To consider, understand, perceive. From sun and hiemi; to put together, i.e. to comprehend; by implication, to act piously. Links Matthew 15:10 NIVMatthew 15:10 NLT Matthew 15:10 ESV Matthew 15:10 NASB Matthew 15:10 KJV Matthew 15:10 BibleApps.com Matthew 15:10 Biblia Paralela Matthew 15:10 Chinese Bible Matthew 15:10 French Bible Matthew 15:10 Catholic Bible NT Gospels: Matthew 15:10 He summoned the multitude and said (Matt. Mat Mt) |