Matthew 15:2
Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.
Original Language Analysis
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
παράδοσιν
the tradition
G3862
παράδοσιν
the tradition
Strong's:
G3862
Word #:
7 of 18
transmission, i.e., (concretely) a precept; specially, the jewish traditionary law
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πρεσβυτέρων
of the elders
G4245
πρεσβυτέρων
of the elders
Strong's:
G4245
Word #:
9 of 18
older; as noun, a senior; specially, an israelite sanhedrist (also figuratively, member of the celestial council) or christian "presbyter"
γὰρ
for
G1063
γὰρ
for
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
11 of 18
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
νίπτονται
they wash
G3538
νίπτονται
they wash
Strong's:
G3538
Word #:
12 of 18
to cleanse (especially the hands or the feet or the face); ceremonially, to perform ablution
τὰς
G3588
τὰς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
χεῖρας
hands
G5495
χεῖρας
hands
Strong's:
G5495
Word #:
14 of 18
the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by hebraism) a means or instrument)
αὐτῶν
G846
αὐτῶν
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
15 of 18
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Cross References
Mark 7:2And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault.Luke 11:38And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had not first washed before dinner.Colossians 2:8Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.1 Peter 1:18Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
Historical Context
The hand-washing tradition wasn't biblical law but developed during the intertestamental period. Originally applied to priests, it was extended to all Jews by Pharisaic interpretation. This ritualistic washing aimed to remove ceremonial, not physical, contamination. Mark's gospel explains this custom for Gentile readers (Mark 7:3-4).
Questions for Reflection
- What religious practices do you observe from tradition rather than biblical command?
- How can you distinguish between helpful traditions and burdensome additions to faith?
- When does adherence to tradition become spiritual pride?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The Pharisees' accusation focuses on ceremonial hand-washing, part of the 'tradition of the elders'—oral interpretations and expansions of Mosaic Law. The Greek 'paradosis' (tradition) here refers to human additions to divine revelation. Reformed theology recognizes this as the perennial temptation to elevate human interpretations to the level of Scripture itself. The disciples' failure to observe this ritual becomes the occasion for Jesus to distinguish between God's commandments and human traditions.