Servants Attacked
Servants Attacked
Matthew 15:1–20 — What’s Going On?
Jesus has just done something incredible—He fed over 5,000 people! That miracle wasn’t done in secret; word has made it all the way back to Jerusalem.
Now, in leadership—especially when trying to stop a movement—you often try to discredit the leader. One way to do that is by undermining the people following them. If you can get the followers to doubt their leader or feel confused, you’ve struck a major blow.
Remember: Jesus isn’t just doing miracles—He’s training disciples. People are watching, learning, and starting to follow Him. His movement is growing. So the religious leaders decide it’s time for a new tactic.
Jesus has just done something incredible—He fed over 5,000 people! That miracle wasn’t done in secret; word has made it all the way back to Jerusalem.
Now, in leadership—especially when trying to stop a movement—you often try to discredit the leader. One way to do that is by undermining the people following them. If you can get the followers to doubt their leader or feel confused, you’ve struck a major blow.
Remember: Jesus isn’t just doing miracles—He’s training disciples. People are watching, learning, and starting to follow Him. His movement is growing. So the religious leaders decide it’s time for a new tactic.
New Strategy: Attack the Disciples
Instead of going straight at Jesus, they go after His followers. Why? Because these disciples had just served—they helped distribute food to thousands. That was a huge moment of obedience and ministry.
So the religious leaders send in the “big dogs”—the scribes and Pharisees from Jerusalem. They come in with what they think is a devastating question:
This isn’t about hygiene—it’s about religious ritual and tradition.
Matthew 15:1-20
Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, 2 “Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.” 3 He answered and said to them, “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?4 For God commanded, saying, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’ 5 But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me isa gift to God”—6 then he need not honor his father or mother.’ Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition. 7 Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: 8 ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth,
And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. 9 And in vain they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’” 10 When He had called the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear and understand: 11 Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.” 12 Then His disciples came and said to Him, “Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?”
13 But He answered and said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted.14 Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.” 15 Then Peter answered and said to Him, “Explain this parable to us.” 16 So Jesus said, “Are you also still without understanding? 17 Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated? 18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. 19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.20 These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.”
So the religious leaders send in the “big dogs”—the scribes and Pharisees from Jerusalem. They come in with what they think is a devastating question:
“Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They didn’t even wash their hands before eating!”
This isn’t about hygiene—it’s about religious ritual and tradition.
Matthew 15:1-20
Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, 2 “Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.” 3 He answered and said to them, “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?4 For God commanded, saying, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’ 5 But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me isa gift to God”—6 then he need not honor his father or mother.’ Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition. 7 Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: 8 ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth,
And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. 9 And in vain they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’” 10 When He had called the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear and understand: 11 Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.” 12 Then His disciples came and said to Him, “Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?”
13 But He answered and said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted.14 Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.” 15 Then Peter answered and said to Him, “Explain this parable to us.” 16 So Jesus said, “Are you also still without understanding? 17 Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated? 18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. 19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.20 These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.”
Big Idea: Attacks on Servants—Not If, But When
1. Know Whom You Serve
Matthew 15:2–3
Here’s the contrast:
They were saying: “Are your disciples following man’s ways or God’s?”
People are going to try to knock you off your game.
So, decide right now:
Jeremiah 2:13
That’s why Joshua famously declared:
Joshua 24:15
In trying to trap Jesus, the Pharisees were really trying to break the disciples' loyalty to Him—implying that Jesus was leading them away from God.
But Jesus made it clear: He was obeying God, not man.
So ask yourself, will you serve...
The Traditions of Man?
or
The Commandments of God?
2“Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders?
3 He answered and said to them, “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God
Tradition of the Elders
Here’s the contrast:
- The Tradition of the Elders (man-made rules)
- The Commandments of God (God’s truth)
They were saying: “Are your disciples following man’s ways or God’s?”
People are going to try to knock you off your game.
So, decide right now:
WHOM WILL YOU SERVE?
Jeremiah 2:13
13 For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.
That’s why Joshua famously declared:
Joshua 24:15
15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
In trying to trap Jesus, the Pharisees were really trying to break the disciples' loyalty to Him—implying that Jesus was leading them away from God.
But Jesus made it clear: He was obeying God, not man.
So ask yourself, will you serve...
The Traditions of Man?
or
The Commandments of God?
2. Know How They Serve
Matthew 15:7-11
7 Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: 8 ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. 9 And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’” 10 When He had called the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear and understand:
Jesus Counters With Truth
11 Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.”
The issue isn’t food or ritual—it’s the condition of the heart, shown by what we say and do.
That’s why James gives a warning about the power of the tongue:
James 3:8
7 Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: 8 ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. 9 And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’” 10 When He had called the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear and understand:
Jesus Counters With Truth
11 Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.”
The issue isn’t food or ritual—it’s the condition of the heart, shown by what we say and do.
That’s why James gives a warning about the power of the tongue:
James 3:8
8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
How Do You Serve?
The Pharisees and scribes served with evil speech and empty hearts.
We are called to serve with sincerity, humility, and understanding—from the heart.
1 Peter 3:15
We are called to serve with sincerity, humility, and understanding—from the heart.
1 Peter 3:15
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;
3. Know The Word
Matthew 15:12–14
12 Then His disciples came and said to Him, “Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?” 13 But He answered and said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. 14 Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.
Jesus makes it clear:
When people create their own rules, laws, and interpretations to suit their own desires, it’s like the blind leading the blind. And it will only end in destruction.
12 Then His disciples came and said to Him, “Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?” 13 But He answered and said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. 14 Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.
Jesus makes it clear:
When people create their own rules, laws, and interpretations to suit their own desires, it’s like the blind leading the blind. And it will only end in destruction.
Know the Word
Hebrews 4:12
The Word of God is:
That’s why Jesus said:
The truth is this:
God’s Word never said anything about food making someone unclean—that was a man-made tradition.
12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
The Word of God is:
- Powerful
- Sharp
- Discerning
That’s why Jesus said:
13 ...“Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted.
The truth is this:
God’s Word never said anything about food making someone unclean—that was a man-made tradition.
4. Know Purity Safeguards
Matthew 15:19-20
19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. 20 These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.”
What Does Defile Really Mean?
The Greek word for defile is koino, which means “to make unclean or impure.”
That’s why Jesus says: “Eating with unwashed hands does not defile a person.”
Jesus Puts the Truth Front and Center
When the disciples fed over 5,000 people with fish and bread, it wasn’t about whether their hands were clean.
It was about the heart behind the act of service.
The Psalmist understood this:
Psalm 51:10
Jesus is saying:
That’s why we served them—
not to follow rituals, but to reflect a heart of compassion, love, and purity.
19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. 20 These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.”
What Does Defile Really Mean?
The Greek word for defile is koino, which means “to make unclean or impure.”
That’s why Jesus says: “Eating with unwashed hands does not defile a person.”
Jesus Puts the Truth Front and Center
When the disciples fed over 5,000 people with fish and bread, it wasn’t about whether their hands were clean.
It was about the heart behind the act of service.
The Psalmist understood this:
Psalm 51:10
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”
Jesus is saying:
That’s why we served them—
not to follow rituals, but to reflect a heart of compassion, love, and purity.
Expect the Attacks.
Walk and Work with a Pure Heart.
SERVE!
How’s your heart?
There’s only one way to be pure before God—
He must have your heart.
Does He?
Does He truly know you?
Today is the day to make it right.
Let your heart be fully His.
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