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Explanation for:
Matthew
15
:
3
But he answering, said to them: Why do you also transgress the commandment of God for your tradition? For God said:
9
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"He counters the erroneous claim with a valid argument. He asks, if you disregard God's commandments in favor of human traditions, why would you find it appropriate to criticize my disciples for not honoring the edicts of the elders while aiming to uphold what is ordained by God?"},{"author-name":"Ambrose of Milan","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88871ceef8c96e0998cd0_Ambrose%20of%20Milan.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Honor your father and mother - Exodus 20:12, see the comprehensive explanation there. However, some assert that alms that could have been offered to parents are instead given to the Church. The Lord does not desire gifts that are received at the expense of parents suffering in need. In response to the Jews criticizing His disciples for eating with unwashed hands, the Lord declared, \\"Anyone who says, 'A gift to God is what you would use from me' has not honored father and mother\\" (Matthew 15:5-6). He questioned them: \\"Why do you say to your father or mother, whom the law commands you to honor, 'A gift to God is what you would use from me'?\\" (Matthew 15:5). This indicates that when a father or mother in distress seeks assistance from their child, it is a common practice among the Jews, aiming to avoid their duty out of fear of the law, to say, \\"A gift to God is what you would use from me,\\" so that the righteous parent might hesitate to take what is offered to God. This behavior reflects the attitudes of those attempting to justify their own greed, whereas divine tradition mandates the nourishment of parents. If a transgression against a parent, according to God's command, warrants severe consequences (Exodus 21:17), the suffering of a parent is undoubtedly more severe than death. \\n\\nThe Lord admonishes against empty displays of pride. Many, in an attempt to earn the admiration of others, contribute to the Church from what they hold, even as true charity should begin with responsibilities towards one’s family. Prioritize giving to your parents, and also assist the needy, including the clergy from your abundant earthly possessions, so that you may receive from them the spiritual richness that you lack, for one who honors will themselves be honored. Remember that in receiving, the giver also imparts, not as a beggar, but with the intention to repay abundantly. As you provide for the poor, do so to bring them relief, and in sharing your blessings, experience the joy of giving. Scripture instructs us to honor our parents, but also allows for leaving them behind if they hinder a devout and God-fearing spirit’s pursuit of faith."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"The Pharisees charged the disciples with violating the traditions of the elders; however, Christ reveals that they were, in fact, breaching the commandments of God."},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"He neither commended the disciples for their disobedience nor condemned them to avoid giving the Jews a reason to argue; likewise, He refrained from chastising those who upheld the tradition to prevent the scribes and Pharisees from perceiving Him as arrogant. Instead, He pointed out a more serious transgression, emphasizing that those who violate God's commandments should not be judged for disregarding human traditions. He then clarifies which commandment of God was broken and the motivation behind their tradition, exposing a prevalent wrongdoing of that era."},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"In response to the Pharisees' accusations, the Lord countered their claims by highlighting their own shortcomings, demonstrating that those who are guilty of significant transgressions should be cautious in condemning minor faults in others. Rather than addressing the actions of His disciples right away, He wisely refrained from dismissing their behavior entirely, as that would only embolden their arrogance. Instead, He first confronted their pride by pointing out a much graver transgression, placing the responsibility upon them. He refrained from suggesting that the violators of the law acted righteously, so as not to provide them with a reason for self-condemnation. Simultaneously, He did not denounce the disciples' actions, as it might have further legitimized the very law they were accused of breaking. Rather than targeting the elders directly, He adopted a different approach by seemingly addressing those who approached Him while indirectly referencing the authors of the laws themselves. He chose not to mention the elders at all but spoke against certain individuals, indicating their misguided authority."},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"He answered them, “Why do you violate not only the commandment of God but also the traditions of men? Do you do this to uphold your own expectations? Instead of adhering to the teachings of Moses and the ancient prophets, you follow your own customs established by your instructors. By abandoning God’s commandment, you hold tightly to human traditions—does that seem right to you?”"},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"In discussions with the Pharisees and scribes, Jesus typically refrains from giving direct answers to their inquiries. Instead, He often poses questions that lead to clarity regarding their queries or shares parables that compel them to acknowledge their faults. This scenario is no different. Rather than condemning or endorsing the traditions referenced by His adversaries, and while neither criticizing nor commending His disciples for breaching these traditions, Jesus inquires of the scribes and Pharisees, “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? Which holds greater authority: the law set forth by God or your traditions?” The scribes and Pharisees overlooked the instruction given by Moses, who, reaffirming God's commands to their ancestors, stated: “All that I command you, you shall be careful to do; you shall not add to it or take from it” (Revelation 12:32). They introduced numerous modifications to the Mosaic law, falsely attributing these additions to Moses himself. They claimed that two types of laws were imparted to Moses on Mount Sinai—one written down by him and the other passed down orally, known as the traditions of the elders. Whenever it suited their purposes to circumvent the divine law given through Moses, the scribes and Pharisees leaned on these traditions. They criticized Jesus' disciples for disregarding these customs, but Jesus highlighted their own intentional violations of God's law and their willful distortions in teaching the people. “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?”"},{"author-name":"Lopuchin A.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c891400ee1341634d2276d_Lopuchin%20A.P..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Among those who listened to Jesus Christ, the term ‘the Jews’ refers not to the general populace but specifically to the scribes and Pharisees, who have increasingly become prominent of late. Many among them, having heard of the Savior’s preaching and miracles in the cities of Galilee, intentionally traveled from Jerusalem to follow Him and lay the groundwork for formal charges against Him in the highest court, alleging that He had disrupted the faith and law established by Moses. The Savior’s recent discussion on communion seemed to incite their anger, and they communicated to Jerusalem the need to prepare for the elimination of the prophet they despised by the time of the Passover feast. However, Jesus, aware of the sinister intentions of the forces of darkness, refrained from going to Jerusalem and opted to spend Passover in Galilee, continuing His mission of redemption for humanity. After this failed plot, the Jewish leaders soon returned to Galilee following the feast, looking for opportunities to accuse Him of violating the law. An opportunity did arise, but it only served to reveal their true nature. The Jewish legalists did not merely adhere to the law of Moses; over time, they added numerous arbitrary rules that they sometimes elevated above God’s law itself. These additions were particularly rigorously observed by the scribes and Pharisees, who regarded them as the ‘fence’ surrounding the law. Yet, these customs often clashed with the essence of the law and covered their own hypocrisy. The Pharisees observed that the disciples of Jesus did not wash their hands before meals, which they deemed a grave transgression—comparable, according to the rabbis, to consuming unclean foods. “Whoever fails to wash his hands before eating is to be cast out from society, for within handwashing lies the significance of the Ten Commandments,” they claimed, saying, “he is worthy of death,” and likening it to the act of murder, per the strict interpretations of the legalists."},{"author-name":"Paul Matwejewski","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8969f5be0d592d5a10576_Paul%20Matwejewski.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The consistent practice of cleansing both the body and everyday items, aimed at ensuring hygiene and tidiness, undeniably has positive aspects. Had the legal experts in Jerusalem adhered to the simple, natural significance of these rituals, they would not have faced condemnation. However, by attributing the weight of a divine command to a basic human necessity and surrounding this practice with numerous trivial regulations, they elevated their own traditions to a level equal to or even surpassing God's most vital precepts. The Lord addressed this contradiction in His response, stating, \\"Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your traditions? For God commanded, saying, 'Honor your father and mother,' and, 'Whoever speaks evil of father or mother, let him be put to death.' But you say, 'If anyone says to his father or mother, \\"Corban,\\" which means a gift dedicated to God, that he might no longer honor his father or mother,' you allow him to disregard his obligations to his parents.\\" Here, the Lord referenced the fifth commandment from the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:12) and the applicable law (Exodus 21:16) as points of illustration. Among the Jewish customs was the practice of dedicating voluntary offerings to God from their possessions, which were binding (Deut. 23:21-23). St. John Chrysostom explained that the Pharisees misguidedly instructed young men, under the guise of piety, to neglect their fathers: if a parent requested assistance, such as a sheep or an ox, they would respond, \\"What you could have received from me is now a gift to God, and thus you cannot have it.\\" This led to a dual injustice: they failed to genuinely offer to God, while parents were deprived of their rightful support in the name of divine dedication. Such attitudes not only dishonored parents under the guise of honoring God but also disrespected God while misinterpreting familial duties."}]}
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