Matthew 15:1 Meaning and Explanation
“Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying,”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Religious leaders travel from Jerusalem to question Jesus, opening a confrontation about tradition and the heart.
What Does Matthew 15:1 Mean?
After Jesus has been healing crowds in Galilee, scribes and Pharisees come down from Jerusalem, the religious center, to examine Him. Their arrival from the capital signals an official inquiry; these are men charged with guarding the law and its practice. The verse sets the stage for a clash, not over Scripture itself, but over the human rules that had grown up around it.
Jesus does not flee scrutiny. He welcomes the question that will let Him distinguish God's commandment from the customs men add to it. The scene reminds us that nearness to holy things can coexist with a heart far from God, and that the Lord cares less about appearances than about what truly cleanses and defiles a person.
Matthew 15:1 in the Original Language
grammateus (γραμματεύς), 'scribe' -- a trained expert in the written law, here joined with the Pharisees to test Jesus.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 15:1
What does Matthew 15:1 mean?
Religious leaders travel from Jerusalem to question Jesus, opening a confrontation about tradition and the heart.