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Matthew 15:1-9
Jesus challenged the religious leaders of his time. They came accusing Jesus, claiming that the disciples were breaking the tradition of the elders by not washing their hands before they ate. And Jesus responded by calling them hypocrites. For the tradition they held broke the 5th commandment, with a word that brought them gain. They honored tradition more than the word of God. Their worship was empty, impure and in vain.
Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, 2 “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat.” 3 He answered them, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? 4 For God commanded, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’ 5 But you say, ‘If anyone tells his father or his mother, “What you would have gained from me is given to God,” 6 he need not honor his father.’ So for the sake of your tradition you have made void the word of God. 7 You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said:
8 “ ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me;
9 in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ ”
Matthew 15:1-9
Christians are to know and obey what God commands, submitting to the Word of God as our source of authority.
Our traditions are never to compete with, or challenge God’s Word. Submit to the commands of God, not the traditions of men. Because to honor God with our lips while serving our desires is hypocrisy.
Discussion Questions
D&A (Discipleship & Accountability)
Break up into smaller groups for prayer.
Jesus challenged the religious leaders of his time. They came accusing Jesus, claiming that the disciples were breaking the tradition of the elders by not washing their hands before they ate. And Jesus responded by calling them hypocrites. For the tradition they held broke the 5th commandment, with a word that brought them gain. They honored tradition more than the word of God. Their worship was empty, impure and in vain.
Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, 2 “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat.” 3 He answered them, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? 4 For God commanded, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’ 5 But you say, ‘If anyone tells his father or his mother, “What you would have gained from me is given to God,” 6 he need not honor his father.’ So for the sake of your tradition you have made void the word of God. 7 You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said:
8 “ ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me;
9 in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ ”
Matthew 15:1-9
Christians are to know and obey what God commands, submitting to the Word of God as our source of authority.
Our traditions are never to compete with, or challenge God’s Word. Submit to the commands of God, not the traditions of men. Because to honor God with our lips while serving our desires is hypocrisy.
Discussion Questions
- What are some examples of teaching man’s commands as doctrine today?
- What are some of your preferences that have turned into doctrine for you or others?
- Do you know what God commands? How can you adjust your preference to God’s Word?
- Do you fully submit to what God commands?
- How can we hold each other accountable to fully submit?
D&A (Discipleship & Accountability)
Break up into smaller groups for prayer.
- How is your time with God?
- What are you praying for?
- What are you struggling with?
- Who are you praying for to know Jesus?
- What gospel conversations have you had this week with someone who doesn’t follow Jesus?