Matthew 15-17
What I Noticed Today (Matthew 15-17)
Matthew 15
In verses 1-9, the scribes and Pharisees came all the way from Jerusalem to see Jesus. They accused the disciples of breaking tradition by not washing their hands before they ate.
Note: The Mishnah (the first written record of the oral traditions prescribed for Jews) has a lengthy section devoted to the ritual of washing hands before and after every meal. It was a matter of tradition, not God’s law.
Jesus answered, asking why they (the scribes and Pharisees) break God’s commandment to honor their fathers and mothers (Exodus 20:12). Rather than caring for their parents, they would claim that something was a gift devoted to God (some translations say, Corban, which means a gift or offering to God). That way, they avoided caring for their parents.
Note: They appeared to be spiritual by claiming their possessions were dedicated to God but, in fact, were hypocritical, using this as an excuse not to follow God’s command. Isaiah prophesied this kind of hypocrisy in Isaiah 29:13.
In verses 10-20, Jesus called the people to him, warning that it is not what goes into your mouth that defiles a person but what comes out of the mouth. What comes out of the mouth is a reflection of the condition of one’s heart. Jesus said the Pharisees and scribes were not “planted” by the Father, and they would be rooted up (undergo judgment).
In verses 21-28, Jesus left Israel and went to Tyre and Sidon.
Note: Tyre was about 35 miles north of Galilee and Sidon about 60 miles.
A Canaanite woman came to Jesus addressing Him as Lord, Son of David (a Messianic title), begging him to heal her demon-possessed daughter. Jesus said it is not right to take the children’s bread and give it to the dogs. The woman answered, but the dogs can eat the crumbs that fall from the table. The woman had recognized her position outside the tribe of Israel kept her from receiving the choice food, but she was willing to settle for a small blessing. Her faith in Jesus caused Him to grant her request, and her daughter was healed.
In verses 29-31, returning from Tyre and Sidon, Jesus walked alongside the Sea of Galilee, and great crowds assembled around Him. Jesus healed them all, and they glorified God.
In verses 32-39, the crowd had been with them for three days, and Jesus did not want to send them away hungry. Seven loaves of bread and a few fish were found. Jesus blessed the food, and it was given to the crowd. They all ate, and seven baskets of leftovers were collected. Four thousand men were fed (probably somewhere near 16,000 people total). After this, Jesus left by boat and went to Magadan (also spelled Magdala, aka Dalmanutha or Taricheae), just north of Tiberias on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee.
Matthew 16
In verses 1-4, the Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus, asking for a sign from heaven. Jesus said they were an evil and wicked generation for asking for a sign. Again he told them no sign would be given except for the sign of Jonah (previously in Matthew 12:38-42).
In verses 5-12, Jesus warned the disciples against the leaven (yeast) of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
Note: Jesus’ point is the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees had a corrupting influence on the nation of Israel; it was like leaven that spreads throughout the dough.
In verses 13-16, Jesus and the disciples went to Caesarea Philippi (the region 25 miles north of the Sea of Galilee governed by Herod Philip, Antipas’ brother). Jesus asked the disciples, who do people say the “Son of man” is, and who do you say I am. Simon Peter said, you are the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Note: In referring to Jesus as Christ, Simon Peter recognizes Jesus’ deity.
In verses 17-20, Jesus blessed Simon Peter, acknowledging that this had been revealed to him by the Father. Jesus changes Simon’s name to Peter (Petros, which means rock). Then he told the disciples not to tell anyone He was the Christ.
In verses 21-26, Jesus explained to the disciples that the time was near for Him to go to Jerusalem, where he would be tortured by the priests and scribes, killed, and raised on the third day.
Note: This is the first of three predictions Jesus made of His death (Matthew 17:22-23, 20:18-19).
Peter rebuked Jesus. He couldn’t accept the idea of Jesus the Messiah dying. Jesus rebuked Peter, saying he was more interested in the things of man than in the plan of God, which included Jesus’ death on the cross to save mankind.
Note: Satan had earlier tempted Jesus to avoid the cross (Matthew 4:8-10), and Satan was essentially manipulating Peter to accomplish the same end.
In verses 24-28, Jesus, teaching the disciples, said if anyone wishes to follow Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Him. By focusing on the world, by holding onto one’s life by rejecting Jesus, one loses their future in heaven.
Note: In verses 27-28, Jesus is speaking prophetically of His coming as the Son of Man, his return in His Father’s glory with his angels, and the judgment of man.
Matthew 17
In verses 1-8, after six days, Jesus took Peter, James, and John to a high mountain where He was transfigured before them. Moses and Elijah appeared next to Jesus, talking to Him. God, speaking from heaven, said this is my Son in whom I am well pleased. The disciples fell to the ground, terrified, but Jesus comforted them, telling them not to be afraid.
Note: The word for transfigured is metemorphōthē. It is where we get our word metamorphosis.
In verses 9-13, as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about this until the Son of man is raised from the dead. The disciples were confused because the scripture teaches that Elijah must come before the Messiah (Malachi 4:5). Jesus clarified that Elijah had already come in the form of John the Baptist, but the nation had rejected him.
In verses 14-21, a man came out of a crowd asking Jesus to heal his epileptic son. Nine disciples had not been able to drive the demon out of the boy. Jesus rebuked the disciples and the crowd for their lack of faith. He drove the demon out of the boy, and he was healed. Jesus explained to the disciples they had not been able to heal the boy because they lacked faith.
Note: Jesus' explanation is that if it is the will of God, nothing will be impossible. If it is the will of God, only a small amount of faith (the size of a mustard seed) is needed.
In verses 22-23, As they were gathering in Galilee, he reminded the disciples again that he would soon be delivered into the hands of man, killed, and raised on the third day. The disciples were greatly distressed.
In verses 24-27, when Jesus and the disciples return to Capernaum, tax collectors from the temple were asking if Jesus paid the temple tax. Jesus answered the kings of the earth do not pay taxes, nor do his family. Jesus as king and his disciples were also exempt, but to not make a fuss, Jesus told Peter to cast a line in the lake, and there would be a fish with a four-drachma coin, enough to pay the tax for He and Peter.
Some thoughts for additional consideration:
- I wonder why, after this second mention of Jesus being resurrected, the disciples didn’t ask Jesus about His resurrection and what that would mean for the Kingdom.
- Jesus warned about the danger of false doctrine and how easily it can creep into our lives. A little leaven leavens the whole lump.
- There is a cost to following Jesus and being His disciple. We must be willing to die to ourselves, pick our cross, and follow Him – daily!
- Satan would love nothing better than to influence our walk with Christ by tempting us to follow our plan as he distracts us away from following God’s plan.
What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.