Big Idea: Jesus and his followers are shown to be true adherents of the Torah, contrasting with the Jewish leaders who disobey the law and so are defiled even as they follow their traditions.

Understanding the Text

In this passage Matthew narrates another conflict between Jesus and the Pharisees and teachers of the law (15:1). This controversy, like the earlier one (12:1–14), focuses on Torah observance, particularly teaching traditions on the Torah. Matthew affirms Jesus as the one who rightly interprets and obeys the law, while the Pharisees are portrayed as those who disregard the law in their efforts to obey their own tradition (15:3). Jesus as the one who rightly interprets the Torah is thematic in Matthew (e.g., 5:17–20; 9:13; 12:7). Later in the Gospel Jesus will give a thoroughgo…