Jesus' Teachings on Hypocrisy and Dirtiness in Matthew 15:2-20
Biblical context: In Matthew 15:2-20, Jesus engages with Pharisees and scribes who challenge His disciples for 'overshooting the tradition of the men of former times,' particularly regarding handwashing before meals (Matthew 15:2).
Context of the Confrontation
Jewish Tradition vs. God's Laws: The Pharisees and scribes cite the tradition of 'washing hands up to the elbow' (Mark 7:3), which God never mandated. Instead, they label not adhering to this ritual as a significant offense (Mark 7:5).
Jesus' Response: A Lesson in Following God's Word
Blatant Violations of God's Commandments: Rather than addressing the handwashing issue directly, Jesus draws attention to the Pharisees' disregard for God's clear commandments (Matthew 15:3-6). For example, Jesus cites Exodus 20:12 and 21:17, which command honoring one’s parents and setting high penalties for speaking abusively against them.
The Heart's Responsibility, Not Just Actions
Heart vs. Actions: The Pharisees' practice of claiming that dedicated gifts (‘corban’) could be circumventing their parental responsibilities (Mark 7:11). Jesus points out the hypocrisy here: the money or property still belongs to the son, but he can avoid helping his parents by falsely claiming it is a gift to the temple.
The Deviant Posture: Jesus' Criticism of the Pharisees
Jesus' Rebuke: Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for making God's word invalid through their traditions (Matthew 15:3,6). He references Isaiah (Isaiah 29:13) who prophesied about such hypocrisy: 'This people honor me with their lips but their hearts are far removed from me. It is in vain that they keep worshipping me for they teach commands of men as doctrines.'
Understanding What Defiles a Man
Heart vs. Mouth: Contrary to the Pharisees' obsession with ritualistic cleanliness, Jesus insists that it is not what enters a man via his mouth that defiles him, but what comes out of his heart (Matthew 15:11). Washing hands before eating is not defiling, but allowing wicked thoughts, words, and actions to originate from the heart is (Matthew 15:18-20).
Jesus' Parable: Jesus illustrates this by a parable about non-native plants being uprooted by His heavenly Father (Matthew 15:12-14). This parable could also be seen as a warning to the Pharisees to reconsider their spiritual stance, or else they will face harsh consequences.
Modern Relevance
Translating Ancient Wisdom: This passage offers timeless wisdom on the importance of authenticity in religious practice. Jesus's teachings challenge us to focus on the purity of our hearts and thoughts rather than external rituals and traditions, encouraging us to maintain a consistent relationship with God.
Conclusion
Jesus' teachings in Matthew 15:2-20 provide profound insights into the nature of true devotion versus hypocrisy. By focusing on the heart's motivations and the authenticity of our actions, we can ensure that our lives are genuinely pleasing to God.