Thematic Bible

Matthew 15:1

Then the Scribes and Pharisees, who were of Jerusalem, came to him and said,

Matthew 15:2

why do your disciples violate the tradition of our ancestors, in not washing their hands when they eat bread?

Matthew 15:3

but he answered them, why do you violate the law of God to follow your tradition?

Matthew 15:4

for this is a commandment of God, "honour thy father and mother; and, he that curses father or mother, let him be punish'd with death."

Matthew 15:5

but your doctrine is this, if any man declares to his father or mother, that whatever he has to give for their relief is dedicated to the temple; he is not oblig'd to regard his father or his mother.

Matthew 15:6

thus have ye disannull'd the commandment of God by your tradition.

Matthew 15:7

the prophecy of Esaias exactly suits such hypocrites as you;

Matthew 15:8

"this people, says he, draw nigh to me, they honour me with their lips: while their hearts are far from me.

Matthew 15:9

but in vain they worship me, teaching for doctrines the institutions of men."

Matthew 15:10

Then he called the multitude and said to them, hear and understand.

Matthew 15:11

that which entereth by the mouth is not what defiles a man: but what defiles the man is that which is discharged by the mouth.

Matthew 15:12

Thereupon his disciples drawing nigh, said, did you observe, how the Pharisees were scandalized at your discourse?

Matthew 15:13

but he answered, every plantation which my heavenly father hath not planted shall be rooted up.

Matthew 15:14

let them alone: they are blind leaders of the blind. now if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

Matthew 15:15

then Peter said to him, tell us the meaning of that expression.

Matthew 15:16

and Jesus said, are ye also yet without understanding?

Matthew 15:17

do not ye yet conceive, that whatever enters at the mouth, passes to the belly, and is discharged downwards?

Matthew 15:18

but what proceeds out of the mouth, is deriv'd from the heart, and that defiles the man.

Matthew 15:19

out of the heart proceed evil designs, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false testimony, slanders.

Matthew 15:20

these are the things which defile a man: but to eat without washing one's hands, that does not defile a man.

Matthew 15:21

Then Jesus went thence, and retir'd towards the district of Tyre and Sidon.

Matthew 15:22

and there came a woman of Canaan from those quarters, and cried out to him, have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously tormented by a demon.

Matthew 15:23

but Jesus not making her any answer, his disciples came and entreated him to grant her request; for, said they, she is very importunate with us.

Matthew 15:24

but he answered, my commission was only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Matthew 15:25

however she advanc'd, and throwing her self at his feet, cried, O Lord, assist me.

Matthew 15:26

but he answered, it is not just to take the childrens bread, and throw it to puppies.

Matthew 15:27

'tis true, Lord, said she: yet even puppies eat of the crumbs which fall from their master's table.

Matthew 15:28

then Jesus answered her, O woman, great is thy faith: as you desire, be it done. and her daughter was healed from that very hour.

Matthew 15:29

Jesus having left that place, drew nigh to the sea of Galilee, and went up a mountain, where he sat down.

Matthew 15:30

there a great crowd of people came to him, bringing with them the lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and laid them down at Jesus feet, and he healed them:

Matthew 15:31

insomuch that the people wondred when they perceived the dumb to speak, the maimed to be heal'd, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.

Matthew 15:32

Then Jesus called his disciples, and said to them, I am concern'd for this people; they have attended me now three days, without eating: I will not send them away fasting, lest they saint by the way. but his disciples said to him,

Matthew 15:33

how can we get bread enough in the desert to satisfy such a multitude?

Matthew 15:34

Jesus asked, how many loaves have ye? they reply'd, seven, and a few small fish.

Matthew 15:35

and he bid the people sit down on the ground.

Matthew 15:36

then taking the seven loaves, and the fish, he gave thanks, and distributed them, by pieces, to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.

Matthew 15:37

so that they all eat, and were satiated: the superfluous fragments they carried off, amounting to seven baskets full:

Matthew 15:38

though the guests were to the number of four thousand men, beside women and children.

Matthew 15:39

then dismissing the multitude, he embark'd, and came to the coast of Magada.