The Tradition of the Elders
(Matthew 15:1–9)

1Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem (city of peace) gathered around Jesus, 2and they saw some of His disciples (pupils) eating with hands that were defiled—that is, unwashed (ceremonially unclean).

3Now in holding to the tradition of the elders, the Pharisees and all the Jews (people of praise) do not eat until they wash their hands ceremonially \until they have washed their hands to the fist/.a 4And on returning from the market (town square), they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other traditions for them to observe, including the washing of cups, pitchers, kettles, and couches for dining [cups, pitchers, and kettles.].b

5So the Pharisees and scribes questioned Jesus: “Why do Your disciples (pupils) not walk according to the tradition of the elders? Instead, they eat with defiled hands.”

6Jesus answered them, “Isaiah (YHWH saves) prophesied (foretold) correctly about you⁺ hypocrites, as it is written:

‘These people honor Me with their lips,

but their hearts are far from Me.

7They worship Me in vain;

they teach {Didaskontes} as doctrine {didaskalias} the precepts of men <Isa 29:13>.’c

8You⁺ have disregarded the commandment of God {Theou} to keep the tradition of men [—washings of pots and cups and many such things like these].d”

9He went on to say, “You⁺ neatly set aside the command of God {Theou} to maintain [establish]e your⁺ own tradition. 10For Moses (drawn out) said, ‘Honor your father {patera} and your mother <Exo 20:12>’f and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death <Exo 21:17>.’g 11But you⁺ say that if a man says to his father or mother, ‘Whatever you would have received from me is Corban’ (that is, a gift devoted to God), 12he is no longer permitted to do anything for his father or mother. 13Thus you⁺ nullify the word of God {Theou} by the tradition you⁺ have handed down. And you⁺ do so in many such matters.”

What Defiles a Man
(Matthew 15:10–20)

14Once again Jesus called the crowd to Him and said, “All of you, listen to Me and understand: 15Nothing that enters a man from the outside can defile him; but the things that come out of a man, these are what defile him [16 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.].”h

17After Jesus had left the crowd and gone into the house, His disciples (pupils) inquired about the parable.

18“Are you⁺ still so dull?” He asked. “Do you⁺ not understand? Nothing that enters a man from the outside can defile him, 19because it does not enter his heart, but it goes into the stomach and then is eliminated.” (Thus all foods are clean.)i

20He continued: “What comes out of a man, that is what defiles him. 21For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality {porneiai}, theft, murder, adultery,j 22greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander (blaspheme), arrogance, and foolishness. 23All these evils come from within, and these are what defile a man.”

The Faith of the Gentile Woman
(Matthew 15:21–28)

24Jesus left that place and went to the region of Tyre [and Sidon].k Not wanting anyone to know He was there, He entered a house, but was unable to escape their notice. 25Instead, a woman whose little daughter had an unclean (impure) spirit {pneuma} soon heard about Jesus (YHWH saves), and she came and fell at His feet. 26Now she was a Greek woman of Syrophoenician origin, and she kept asking Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter.

27“First let the children have their fill,” He said. “For it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”

28“Yes, Lord {Kyrie},” she replied, “even the dogs (puppies)l under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”

29Then Jesus told her, “Because of this answer, you may go. The demon has left your daughter.” 30And she went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon was gone.

The Deaf and Mute Man
(Matthew 9:27–34)

31Then Jesus left the region of Tyre and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee (circuit) and into the region of the Decapolis (the Ten Cities).m 32Some people brought to Him a man who was deaf and hardly able to speak, and they begged Jesus to place His hand on him.

33So Jesus took him aside privately, away from the crowd, and put His fingers into the man’s ears. Then He spit and touched the man’s tongue (language). 34And looking up to heaven, He sighed deeply and said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means, “Be opened!”). 35Immediatelyn the man’s ears were opened and his tongue (language) was released, and he began to speak plainly.

36Jesus ordered them not to tell anyone. But the more He ordered them, the more widely they proclaimed it. 37The people were utterly astonished and said, “He has done all things well! He makes even the deaf hear and the mute speak!”