What is the meaning of Matthew 15:12? Then the disciples came to Him – The disciples draw near privately after Jesus’ public confrontation with the Pharisees (Matthew 15:3-11). – Their coming shows they recognize Jesus as the authoritative Teacher (John 6:68). – Like earlier moments (Matthew 13:36) they wait until the crowd disperses, modeling a heart that seeks clarity rather than resisting truth (Proverbs 2:1-5). and said – Speaking up demonstrates growing boldness, contrasting with the silence of the crowd (Matthew 14:33). – Genuine disciples engage the Lord with their concerns, echoing Psalm 62:8, “Pour out your hearts before Him.” – Their words reveal they still filter events through human expectations, something Jesus will patiently reshape (Luke 24:27). “Are You aware” – They assume Jesus might have missed something, forgetting His omniscience revealed in John 1:48 and Matthew 9:4. – This gentle question underscores human tendency to instruct the Lord instead of trusting His perfect knowledge (Job 38:2-4). – Christ allows the question, inviting deeper understanding rather than rebuking the ignorance (James 1:5). that the Pharisees were offended – The Greek term translated “offended” speaks of stumbling; Jesus’ truth exposes hypocrisy, creating either repentance or resentment (Isaiah 8:14; 1 Peter 2:7-8). – The Pharisees’ offense fulfills Jesus’ earlier warning that tradition-bound leaders “honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me” (Matthew 15:8-9). – Their reaction anticipates the broader rejection He will face (John 15:18-20). when they heard this? – “This” refers to Jesus’ declaration that defilement comes from the heart, not from unwashed hands (Matthew 15:11). – His teaching overturns centuries of man-made regulations, mirroring His Sabbath pronouncements (Mark 2:27-28). – Hearing truth forces a decision: embrace God’s word or cling to tradition (Joshua 24:15; Hebrews 3:15). summary Matthew 15:12 records the disciples’ concern that Jesus has offended powerful religious leaders. Their inquiry exposes limited understanding but also a desire to learn. Jesus will use the moment to reinforce that divine truth, not human tradition, governs righteousness. Offense is the predictable response of prideful hearts confronted with the light, yet disciples are called to stand with Christ, confident that His authoritative word remains unshaken. |
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