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Matthew 15

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

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

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

For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.

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

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

Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,

This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

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

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

Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.

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

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

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

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

And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding?

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

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

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

These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.

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

And, 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.

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

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

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

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

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

Then 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.

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

And 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:

Insomuch 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.

Then 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.

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

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

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

And 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.

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

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

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

What does Matthew 15:38 mean?

Explanation

Matthew 15:38 describes the aftermath of the miracle known as the "Feeding of the Four Thousand." This event is reported in the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament.

The verse states that the number of men who ate was four thousand, not including women and children. This indicates that the actual number of people who were fed could have been significantly higher when considering the uncounted women and children.

The verse emphasizes the sufficiency of Jesus's miraculous provision and highlights His compassion and ability to meet the needs of a large crowd.

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Historical Context

Matthew 15:38 is situated within the narrative of Jesus's ministry in the regions of Tyre, Sidon, and the Sea of Galilee.

The miracle occurred in a predominantly Gentile area, highlighting Jesus's ministry to non-Jews.

The feeding of the four thousand is the second such miracle recorded in the Gospels, the first being the feeding of the five thousand.

The historical context of this passage underscores the social and religious dynamics of the time, as well as the significance of miracles as a sign of Jesus's divine authority.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, the feeding of the four thousand is seen as a sign of God's kingdom and His provision. It reveals Jesus's identity as the Messiah and His ability to perform supernatural acts.

Some theologians discuss the Eucharistic overtones of this miracle, noting that it prefigures the Christian sacrament of Communion.

This verse also touches on the inclusivity of Jesus's ministry, as He provided for a Gentile crowd, breaking down the barriers between Jews and Gentiles.

Practical Applications

Practically, Matthew 15:38 can be applied in several ways.

It can inspire believers to trust in God's provision in their lives and to be compassionate towards others' needs.

The passage encourages inclusivity and the extending of hospitality to all people, regardless of background or status.

It calls for faith in God's abundant generosity and challenges individuals to share their own resources with those in need.

Cross-References

Matthew 14:21: "And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children."
Mark 8:9: "And they that had eaten were about four thousand: and he sent them away."
Luke 9:14: "For they were about five thousand men.

And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company."

Language Study

The key words in the original Greek language of this verse include:

Τετρακισχίλιοι (tetrakischilioi): Meaning "four thousand," specifying the number of men.
ἄνδρες (andres): This word translates to "men," which in this context refers specifically to adult males, distinct from women and children.
χωρὶς (choris): Meaning "besides" or "apart from," indicating the exclusion of women and children from the count.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In comparing this verse to other cultural and religious texts, one might look at ancient traditions of communal meals and the symbolism of bread as a staple of life.

For instance, in many cultures, bread is seen as a symbol of sustenance and communal sharing.

In Jewish tradition, the miracle might evoke memories of the manna provided in the wilderness, while in Greco-Roman contexts, listeners might think of the role of benefactors who provided food for the masses.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, the feeding of four thousand is considered a miracle because it cannot be accounted for by natural laws as understood by science.

However, it offers an opportunity to discuss the social science aspects of group behavior, shared resources, and the impact of perceived miracles on communities.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians offer varied insights on Matthew 15:38.

Some interpret the feeding miracles as messianic signs that validate Jesus's identity. Others suggest these narratives serve to teach about God's providence and the importance of sharing.

Commentators often note the distinctions between the feeding of the five and four thousand, with some speculating that two distinct events were intended to communicate different lessons to different audiences: one Jewish and one Gentile.

Matthew 15

Matthew 15

What does Matthew 15:38 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Matthew Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Matthew 15:38 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Matthew Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?