Matthew 15:3

“But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?”

Context:Matthew 15:3 is part of a dialogue between Jesus and the scribes and Pharisees who came from Jerusalem to question Him. They accused Jesus’ disciples of breaking the tradition of the elders by not washing their hands before eating (Matthew 15:1-2).

Transgressing the commandment of God:Jesus responds to the accusation by questioning why the religious leaders transgress the commandment of God through their tradition. He points out that they were more concerned with upholding human traditions than with obeying God’s commandments.

Tradition vs. God’s commandments:In this verse, Jesus emphasizes the contrast between the religious traditions of the scribes and Pharisees and the commandments of God. Throughout His ministry, Jesus consistently challenged the religious leaders’ legalistic approach, highlighting the importance of true heart obedience to God rather than mere external rituals (Matthew 5:20-48, Matthew 23:1-36).

Understanding the heart behind the commandments:Jesus’ response reveals that God’s commandments are meant to reflect the heart and character of God and guide His people in righteousness. The Pharisees had placed an excessive focus on external observances while neglecting the weightier matters of justice, mercy, and faithfulness (Matthew 23:23).

Application to our lives:Matthew 15:3 prompts us to examine our own lives and religious practices. It reminds us to prioritise the intent behind God’s commandments rather than blindly adhering to empty traditions. True worship involves aligning our hearts with God’s will, demonstrating love for God and others in all aspects of our lives.

• Continuation of the dialogue:Following this verse, Jesus provides specific examples of how the religious leaders have invalidated the commandments of God through their traditions (Matthew 15:4-9). He highlights their hypocrisy and calls the people to understand that it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the heart (Matthew 15:10-20).

By studying this verse, we learn the importance of prioritising the commandments of God over human traditions and external rituals. Jesus challenges us to examine the condition of our hearts and seek to align our lives with God’s will.