"THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW"

Chapter Fifteen

Religious leaders from Jerusalem took issue with Jesus' disciples' failure to observe certain traditions, which led Jesus to warn against the danger of traditions and that which causes true moral defilement (1-20). After a quick trip to the region of Tyre and Sidon where He healed a Canaanite woman's daughter (21-28), Jesus made His way to a mountain near the Sea of Galilee where He healed many and fed 4000 with seven loaves and a few fish. He then sailed to the region of Magdala, located on the west coast of the Sea Of Galilee (29-39).

POINTS TO PONDER
REVIEW QUESTIONS
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  1. What are the main points of this chapter?
    • Debate over tradition and moral defilement Mt 15:1-20
    • Jesus heals the Canaanite woman's daughter Mt 15:21-28
    • Jesus heals many and feeds the 4000 Mt 15:29-39
  2. What tradition of the elders had the disciples of Jesus transgressed? (1-2)
    • To wash hands before eating bread
  3. According to Jesus, when do traditions of men become wrong? (3-9)
    • When one keeps a tradition of man instead of a commandment of God
    • When one teaches as doctrine (that which is binding) a commandment of man
  4. When does worship become vain? (9)
    • When such worship is based on the teachings of men rather than of God
  5. What constitutes true moral defilement? (11,16-20)
    • That which comes out of the mouth, i.e., evil thoughts and deeds from man's heart
  6. What will happen to plants (religions, doctrines) not started by God? (13)
    • They will be uprooted
  7. How did Jesus describe the scribes and Pharisees from Jerusalem? (14)
    • As blind leaders of the blind
  8. What moved Jesus to grant the Canaanite woman's request? (28)
    • Her great faith
  9. With what did Jesus feed more than 4000 people? (34-38)
    • Seven loaves and a few little fish