45 Days To Read The Gospel Challenge – The Gospel of Matthew Chapter 15: Choose to Obey the Commands of God Over Tradition and Culture

 

Overview of The Gospel of Matthew

The Gospel of Matthew was written by the apostle Matthew, one of Jesus’ twelve disciples. Matthew was a former tax collector, called by Jesus to follow Him. His Gospel is believed to have been written between 50-70 AD, and it is the first book in the New Testament, even though it may not have been the first Gospel written. Matthew’s account emphasizes that Jesus is the promised Messiah and King, fulfilling the Old Testament prophecies.

Matthew’s Gospel begins with a genealogy that traces Jesus’ lineage back to Abraham and King David, highlighting Jesus’ royal and Jewish heritage. It then moves into the story of Jesus’ miraculous birth, His baptism by John the Baptist, and the start of His ministry.

Mary and her husband Joseph were both from the lineage of King David.  Matthew 1:17  “So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations, and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations, and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.”  Matthew tells of a prophetic word that told of Jesus’ birth.  

Matthew 1:23  “Behold, a virgin shall be with child and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”  It is interesting to note that Joseph wanted to divorce Mary quietly because of her pregnancy.  But an angel came to him and verified that Mary was pregnant by the Holy Ghost.  Therefore, Joseph stayed married to Mary and did not consummate the marriage until Jesus Christ was born. 

Note: Jesus Christ is a name translated in the English versions. It is accepted by God. For this purpose these studies are on the English speaking version.   Philippians 2:9 KJV  “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him and given him a name which is above every name:”  There are many names people call Jesus but it is only one name to be saved by. If you mispronounce other names (thinking that is the original name) then you are not calling on the Lord. 

It is known that what we pronounce today is not the way it was pronounced then.  Develop a personal relationship with the Lord and you will know he answers to the name name  Jesus Christ (the blood sacrifice).  He is the God of the living.  Psalms 100:3 KJV ³ Know ye that the Lord He is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.

The Gospel of Matthew is known for including many of Jesus’ key teachings, such as the Sermon on the Mount, where He teaches about love, humility, prayer, and the Kingdom of God. Throughout the Gospel, Jesus performs miracles, heals the sick, and casts out demons, showing His divine authority.

Matthew also places a strong emphasis on Jesus’ role as a teacher and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. He frequently references the Scriptures to show how Jesus’ life and mission align with what was foretold about the Messiah. The Gospel also includes Jesus’ parables, teachings on discipleship, and warnings about the final judgment.

The story of Jesus’ crucifixion, death, and resurrection is the heart of the Gospel. Matthew ends with the Great Commission, where Jesus commands His disciples to go and make disciples of all nations, spreading the message of salvation.

In summary, the Gospel of Matthew presents Jesus as the promised Messiah, the fulfillment of God’s promises, and the King of all nations, whose life, death, and resurrection bring salvation to the world.

Note From Editor: The name “Jesus Christ” is an English translation, and it is accepted by God. Philippians 2:9 KJV  says, “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name.” People call Jesus by many praise names, but only one name is called upon for salvation by English speaking people and that is Jesus Christ. If you mispronounce other names thinking they are the original, you might not be calling on the Lord.

Language has changed over time, but when you have a personal relationship with Jesus, you will know that the name  Jesus Christ, the Savior is accepted by God.  The Holy spirit bears witness. Jesus gave His life for us.  Psalm 100:3 reminds us, “Know ye that the Lord, He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.”  

 

 

45 Days To Read The Gospel Challenge – The Gospel of Matthew Chapter 15: Choose to Obey the Commands of God Over Tradition

 

 

OVERVIEW OF  THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW CHAPTER  FIFTEEN

In Matthew Chapter 15, Jesus rebukes the Pharisees and scribes for prioritizing traditions over God’s commandments. He teaches that true defilement comes not from external things but from the heart. Jesus also demonstrates that healing and provision are based on faith, not race, age, or nationality. Through His miracles, including feeding 4,000 people, Jesus proves that God’s grace is abundant, and His blessings never run out.

Jesus Rebukes the Pharisees and Scribes: In this chapter, Jesus confronts the Pharisees and Scribes for placing their traditions above God’s commandments. He highlights their hypocrisy by pointing out how they neglect God’s law to honor their customs. For example, the Pharisees taught that people should prioritize paying tithes over helping their parents in need, directly contradicting God’s command to honor one’s father and mother. Jesus called them hypocrites for following tradition while neglecting mercy and love for others.

What Defiles a Man: Jesus teaches that it’s not what goes into a person that defiles them, but what comes out of their mouth. What we say reflects what is in our hearts. He emphasized that evil thoughts and actions stem from within, not from what we eat or consume. Matthew 15:17-20 KJV illustrates this important truth, reminding us that spiritual purity is about the condition of our hearts, not external rituals.

Healing by Faith, Not by Race or Status: Jesus shows that healing is not limited by a person’s race, age, or nationality but by their faith. Multitudes brought the sick to Jesus—those who were lame, blind, mute, and maimed—and He healed them all. The people were amazed at His power and glorified the God of Israel, recognizing that faith, not background, was the key to receiving healing.

Jesus Feeds 4,000 People: Once again, Jesus demonstrates His provision by feeding a crowd of 4,000 men, plus women and children, with just seven loaves of bread and a few fish. After giving thanks, He distributed the food, and everyone ate until they were full. Remarkably, seven baskets of leftovers remained, showing that God’s blessings are abundant and never run out. This miracle proves that no one can outgive God.

Through these teachings and miracles, Matthew Chapter 15 shows us the importance of faith, the power of God’s provision, and the necessity of prioritizing God’s commandments over human traditions. Jesus’ actions demonstrate His compassion and ability to meet both spiritual and physical needs.

 

 

 

 

Time: 35 minutes to complete lesson: 20 minutes to read the entire post and take the interactive quiz, additional 15 minutes to view video resource and comment on social media.

 

Objectives for  Chapter 15 -The Gospel of Matthew.  What you will learn:

A.  Understand why Jesus rebuked the scribes and Pharisees for placing traditions above God’s commandments.

B.  Learn the key teaching from Jesus about what truly defiles a person—what comes from the heart rather than external actions.

C.  Discover that Jesus heals people based on their faith, not their race, age, or nationality.

D.  Explore how Jesus miraculously fed 4,000 people, demonstrating once again His ability to provide abundantly.

 

 

Outline for Chapter 15 of the Gospel of  Matthew 

  1. Jesus reproves the scribes and Pharisees on account of their traditions.

  2. Jesus teaches that what goes into the mouth defiles not a
man; but what comes out the mouth because it comes from the heart.

  3.  Jesus Heals the daughter of a woman of Canaan and many others.

  4.  Jesus feeds four thousand men, beside women and children.

 

 

Reflection and Discussion: Something to think about.

When you obey God do you go by the Word of God and the Holy Spirt or do you go by tradition?  

 

 

Resources For This Lesson

Click here for the King James Bible version in the text (pdf), mobile viewing on the web (KJV), YouTube audio, and video version (total time: ) Part One and Part Two.

 

 

See “Chapter 15 Highlights” below for scriptures and help with the quiz. If needed, refresh the screen to retake the quiz.

 

  1.  Jesus reproves the scribes and Pharisees on account of their traditions.  Matthew 15: 1-9 KJV

¹Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, 

²Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. 

³But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? 

⁴For God commanded, saying, Honor thy father and mother: and, He that curses father or mother, let him die the death. 

 ⁵But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou might be profited by me;

 ⁶And honor not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.

 ⁷Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you,   

⁸This people draws nigh unto me with their mouth, and honours me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.

 ⁹But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

 ⁹But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 

¹⁰And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand

¹¹Not that which goes into the mouth defiles a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defiles a man. 

¹²Then came to his disciples, and said unto him, Knows thou that the Pharisees were offended after they heard this saying?

¹³But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. 

¹⁴Let them alone: they are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. 

 

 

  2.   Jesus teaches what defiles a man.   Matthew 15: 12-20 KJV

¹⁵Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable.

¹⁶And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding?

¹⁷Do, not ye yet understand, that whatsoever enters in at the mouth goes into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?

¹⁸But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart, and they defile the man.

¹⁹For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: 

²⁰These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashed hands defiles not a man.

 

 

  3.  Jesus heals not by race, age, and nationality but by faith.  Matthew 15: 21-31 KJV

²¹Then Jesus went thence and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.

²²And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. 

²³But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and sought him, saying, Send her away; for she cries after us.

 ²⁴But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 

²⁵Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. 

²⁶But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread and to cast it to dogs.

 ²⁷And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table. 

²⁸Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

²⁹And Jesus departed from thence, and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there.

 ³⁰And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus’ feet; and he healed them: ³¹Insomuch that the multitude wondered when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.

 

 

  4.  Jesus feeds four thousand people, again proving he provides.  Matthew 31: 17-20 KJV

³¹Insomuch that the multitude wondered when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.

³²Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way. 

³³And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude? 

³⁴And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes. 

³⁵And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. 

³⁶And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.

 ³⁷And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full. 

³⁸And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children. 

³⁹And he sent away the multitude, and took ship, and came into the coasts of Magdala.

 

 

 

Interactive Quiz

 

 

 

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Call to salvation:

John 3:16  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Romans 10:9-10  9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation. 

John 3:5-6  5Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is the Spirit.