Matthew 15:1

Breaking Human Traditions

15:1 Then Pharisees ¹  and experts in the law ²  came from Jerusalem ³  to Jesus and said, ⁴ 

Matthew 9:14

The Superiority of the New

9:14 Then John’s ⁵  disciples came to Jesus ⁶  and asked, “Why do we and the Pharisees ⁷  fast often, ⁸  but your disciples don’t fast?”

[15:1]  ¹ sn See the note on Pharisees in 3:7.

[15:1]  ² tn Or “and the scribes.” See the note on the phrase “experts in the law” in 2:4.

[15:1]  ³ map For location see Map5 B1; Map6 F3; Map7 E2; Map8 F2; Map10 B3; JP1 F4; JP2 F4; JP3 F4; JP4 F4.

[15:1]  ⁴ tn The participle λέγοντες (legontes) has been translated as a finite verb so that its telic (i.e., final or conclusive) force can be more easily detected: The Pharisees and legal experts came to Jesus in order to speak with him.

[9:14]  ⁵ sn John refers to John the Baptist.

[9:14]  ⁶ tn Grk “him”; the referent (Jesus) has been supplied in the translation for clarity.

[9:14]  ⁷ sn See the note on Pharisees in 3:7.

[9:14]  ⁸ sn John’s disciples and the Pharisees followed typical practices with regard to fasting and prayer. Many Jews fasted regularly (Lev 16:29-34; 23:26-32; Num 29:7-11). The zealous fasted twice a week on Monday and Thursday.