Why Do Your Disciples Transgress the Tradition? - Matthew 15:2

Matthew the apostle wrote, “Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying”, and in chapter fifteen and verse two of his book, Matthew shares how the Scribes and Pharisees ask Jesus “why do your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders?” where we read:

Why do your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders?

for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.

The verse reads, “Why do your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders?”. Matthew began with the word, “ why” which means “for what reason and cause” “do your disciples” or “do Jesus' students, pupils and attendants” “transgress” which means “neglect, violate, go contrary to and abandon” “the tradition” or “narrative, precept and delivering” “of the elders” which refers to “pertaining to the members of the great council or Sanhedrin”. Matthew shared how the Scribes and Pharisees wanted to know why Jesus' “students” violated the “precept” set down by the religious leaders in the “great council”.

The verse continues, “for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.” Matthew added the word, “for” which means “because, since and on account that” “they wash not their hands” which means “the disciples of Jesus did not ceremonially cleanse or perform ablution” “when” or “at the time and moment” “they eat bread” which means “the disciples consumed and devoured flour mixed with water and baked”. Matthew shared how the Scribes and Pharisees criticized Jesus' disciples for not washing their hands in the ceremonial way prescribed by the religious council.

When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we see how the “Scribes and Pharisees” are concerning themselves with the cleaning and eating habits of Jesus' disciples. These men performed “ceremonial washing” before they ate their food which consisted of running water over their hands while extended toward the sky, then down so dirt would flow from them among other antics. The disciples of Jesus simply pulled wheat off the stalk and began eating. The “Scribes and Pharisees” were “sin inspectors” which included their man-made rules, and now Jesus who desires to save every person was to contend with them. Regardless of their behavior, God desires a loving relationship with everyone, and even when people criticize Him, He is ready and willing to save.

Next time Matthew share how the Scribes and Pharisees asked Jesus, “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.