Thursday, 11 December 2025
“Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.” Matthew 15:2
Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at the “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)
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“Through what – Your disciples, they sidestep the tradition of the elders? For they wash not their hands when they may eat bread” (CG).
In the previous verse, Chapter 15 began with the scribes and Pharisees from Jerusalem coming to Jesus. Matthew next records the question they asked Him, “Through what – Your disciples, they sidestep the tradition of the elders?”
Two new words are seen here. The first is parabainó, to go contrary to. It is derived from para, near or to the side, and the base of basis, a step. Thus, it literally signifies to sidestep. This is what the disciples were being accused of, sidestepping a tradition.
The next new word is paradosis, a transmission, and thus a tradition that is orally communicated.
The elders held to certain traditions that went beyond the law, but which they meticulously adhered to. Jesus’ disciples didn’t observe those traditions, and this had the scribes and Pharisees miffed. These “oral traditions” were claimed to have been handed down from Moses and were held to be on the same level as the written instruction.
This is nonsense, and it gave these leaders the opportunity to heap whatever burdens on the people they desired. As for the particular tradition they held to, Matthew continues, saying, “For they wash not their hands when they may eat bread.”
Mark 7:2 adds information to provide clarity –
“Now when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault.”
These leaders were upset that the washing traditions, which were very cumbersome, were not observed by the disciples. To them, it was an act of uncleanliness that was intolerable to behold. But these were not God’s laws. They were only man-made traditions. Because of their stand, Jesus will have strong words of condemnation for them.
Life application: Nothing has changed in many churches in relation to traditions being raised in importance to the level of Scripture. In fact, tradition has replaced the word of God to the extent that the Bible is almost an afterthought.
This is especially so in Roman Catholic and Orthodox denominations, where the Bible is rarely or never read or taught. It may be in the church, but it sits unopened and is a showpiece. This is true to some extent in many other denominations as well. Many of the older mainstream denominations might pay lip service to Scripture, but that is about all one will get.
Think of it! The only source that tells us about the basis for our faith, meaning God in Christ, is ignored. So, where does their source of religion come from? The answer is from the heads of men, just like the traditions of the Jews.
This is a deplorable place to be. God has intricately woven together the pages of Scripture to give us information about ourselves and our relationship to Him. Instead of searching out His word, and thus searching out Him and what He is doing in redemptive history, we make stuff up, call it church, and the people never come to a right understanding of who Jesus is and why He is so important to us.
May we never be found in such a deplorable state. May our eyes be opened to the goodness of God as found in Jesus Christ, and as is conveyed to us in the pages of Scripture.
Lord God, give us the wisdom to pursue You and Your precious word all the days of our lives. It is a treasure of wisdom, knowledge, and blessing for those who will open it and consider its words. Yes, Lord, may we spend our days of this life wisely, learning what You have conveyed to us about Yourself. Amen.