The Ministry Of Jesus. Matthew’s Gospel

Tradition and Vain Worship.

Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, who were from Jerusalem, saying, Why do your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they do not wash their hands when they eat bread. But Jesus answered and said unto them, Why do you also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?  For God commanded, saying, Honour your father and mother: and, He that curses father or mother, let him die the death. But you say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever you may profit by me; And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Know that you have made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. You hypocrites, well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying, these people draw nigh unto Me with their mouth, and honour Me with their lips; but their heart is far from Me. But in vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. Matthew 15 vs 1-9.

Jesus Reveals What Defiles a Man.

And Jesus called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: it is not that which goes into the mouth that defiles a man; but that which comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man. Then came His disciples, and said unto Jesus, do you know that the Pharisees were offended after they heard this saying? But Jesus answered and said, Every plant, which My heavenly Father has not planted, shall be rooted up. Let them alone: they are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

Then Peter said unto Jesus, Declare unto us this parable. And Jesus said, Are you also yet without understanding? Do you not yet understand that whatsoever enters in at the mouth goes into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart, and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man. Matthew 15 vs10-21

The Faith of the Canaanite Woman.

And behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto Jesus, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and besought Jesus saying, Send her away; for she cries after us. But Jesus answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Then she came and worshipped Jesus, saying, Lord, help me. But He answered and said, It is not proper to take the children’s bread and to cast it to dogs. And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table. Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is your faith: be it unto you even as you would. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour. Matthew 15 vs 22-28.

The Feeding of the Four Thousand.

And Jesus departed from there and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee, and He went up into a mountain and sat down there. And great multitudes came unto Jesus, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and they cast them down at Jesus’ feet; and He healed them: Insomuch that the multitude wondered when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.

Then Jesus called His disciples unto Himself, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with Me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.

And His disciples said unto Him, from where should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude? And Jesus said unto them, How many loaves have you got? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes. And Jesus commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. And Jesus took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and broke them, and gave them to His disciples, and the disciples gave them to the multitude. And they all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken food that was left seven baskets full. And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children. And Jesus sent away the multitude, and took ship, and came into the coasts of Magdala. Matthew 15 vs 29-39.