Matthew 15:12 Meaning and Explanation
“Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The disciples report that Jesus' teaching has offended the Pharisees.
What Does Matthew 15:12 Mean?
The disciples come to Jesus, concerned, and report that the Pharisees took offense at His saying about defilement. Their words carry a note of anxiety; these were respected leaders, and Jesus' teaching had struck at the very foundation of their authority on purity. The disciples seem to wonder whether He realized the stir He had caused, or whether He might soften it.
Their report reveals how truth often unsettles those most invested in the established order. Jesus had not spoken carelessly; He had spoken truly, and truth can offend hearts attached to human systems. The verse sets up His response, which will show that not every offense is to be avoided. Faithfulness to God's word sometimes disturbs the comfortable, and that disturbance is not always to be feared.
Matthew 15:12 in the Original Language
skandalizo (σκανδαλίζω), 'offended' -- to be made to stumble or take offense, as at something that trips one up.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 15:12
What does Matthew 15:12 mean?
The disciples report that Jesus' teaching has offended the Pharisees.