Matthew 15 12

Matthew 15:12 kjv

Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?

Matthew 15:12 nkjv

Then His disciples came and said to Him, "Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?"

Matthew 15:12 niv

Then the disciples came to him and asked, "Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?"

Matthew 15:12 esv

Then the disciples came and said to him, "Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?"

Matthew 15:12 nlt

Then the disciples came to him and asked, "Do you realize you offended the Pharisees by what you just said?"

Matthew 15 verses

Matthew 15 12 Meaning

Matthew 15:12 records the disciples' immediate observation and query to Jesus, informing Him that the Pharisees were profoundly disturbed by His recent teaching on defilement. It highlights the direct conflict between Jesus' revolutionary emphasis on inner spiritual purity over external ceremonial traditions and the established legalistic framework upheld by the religious elite of His time. The Pharisees' "offense" signifies a profound spiritual stumbling, not merely a disagreement, as Jesus' words challenged the very foundation of their authority and belief system.

Matthew 15 12 Context

This verse is part of a significant exchange between Jesus and the Jewish religious leaders (Pharisees and scribes from Jerusalem) in Matthew 15:1-20. The preceding verses (15:1-9) describe the Pharisees' challenge to Jesus and His disciples for not observing the "tradition of the elders" concerning hand washing before meals, which was a ritualistic purity custom, not a Mosaic Law. Jesus sharply rebukes them for prioritizing human traditions over God's commandments, using a passage from Isaiah (29:13) to highlight their hypocrisy.

Verse 10 sets up Jesus' direct teaching to the crowd and disciples, followed by verse 11 where He declares that defilement comes not from what enters the mouth (food) but from what comes out of the mouth (evil thoughts, words). This statement fundamentally undermines the entire system of external purity regulations that formed the core of the Pharisees' religious identity and authority. The immediate historical context highlights the escalating conflict between Jesus, who taught with divine authority and focused on the heart, and the Jewish religious establishment, which was increasingly rigid in its adherence to oral tradition and outward observance. The Pharisees represented the most influential sect among the common people, dedicated to strict adherence to the Law and traditions. Jesus' statement struck at the very core of their belief system and social standing, hence their profound offense.

Matthew 15 12 Word analysis

• Then (Τότε - tote): An adverb of time, linking this observation directly to Jesus' preceding teaching (Mt 15:10-11). It signifies an immediate follow-up to the impact of His words.
• His disciples (οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ - hoi mathētai autou): Refers to the followers of Jesus, those who were intimately connected to Him and observing the unfolding events. They act as intermediaries, reporting the reaction of the Pharisees to Jesus. This highlights their proximity to the events and their role as concerned observers.
• came (προσελθόντες - proselthontes): A participle meaning "having come forward" or "having approached." It implies a deliberate, perhaps urgent, approach to Jesus to convey important information.
• and said (εἶπον - eipon): Simple past tense, indicating direct communication.
• to Him (αὐτῷ - autō): To Jesus.
• Do you know (οἶδας - oidas): An intensive form of "to know," implying a seeking of confirmation or to bring a situation to His attention. The disciples seem surprised or concerned by the Pharisees' reaction, perhaps expecting Jesus to temper His words, or gauging His awareness of the widespread anger He was generating. It could reflect their lingering respect for the Pharisees as religious authorities.
• that the Pharisees (ὅτι οἱ Φαρισαῖοι - hoti hoi Pharisai): "Pharisees" (from Aramaic Perishaya - "separated ones") were a powerful, influential Jewish religious and political party in the Second Temple period. They strictly adhered to the Mosaic Law and, crucially, to an elaborate body of oral traditions (Halakha), which they considered equal to or even above the written Law. Their emphasis was on outward observance and ritual purity. Jesus' teachings, which prioritized the heart over external rituals, directly challenged their authority, interpretations, and indeed, their very religious identity. Their inclusion here signifies the ongoing, intensifying conflict between Jesus and this leading religious group.
• were offended (ἐσκανδαλίσθησαν - eskandalisthesan): This is a key term derived from skandalon (σκανδαλον), originally meaning a trap, snare, or the bait-stick of a trap. In the New Testament, it commonly refers to a stumbling block, cause of offense, or moral ruin. To "be offended" in this context means more than just being displeased or annoyed; it signifies being deeply shocked, indignant, or led to stumble morally or spiritually. They found Jesus' words so disruptive and threatening to their worldview and status that it caused them to react with profound spiritual offense, potentially leading them further from the truth. They viewed Jesus' words as blasphemous or fundamentally erroneous, threatening the purity of Judaism as they understood it.
• when they heard this saying (ἀκούσαντες τὸν λόγον τοῦτον - akousantes ton logon touton): "Having heard this word/saying." This refers specifically to Jesus' radical teaching in Mt 15:11, that "Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man." This saying inverted the traditional understanding of defilement and rendered many Pharisaic purity laws obsolete, striking at the very heart of their religious practice and perceived righteousness. The hearing directly led to the offense.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "His disciples came and said to Him, 'Do you know...'": This phrase underscores the disciples' role as close observers and reporters. Their question "Do you know" indicates concern and perhaps a slight bewilderment at the severity of the Pharisees' reaction. It reveals their still developing understanding of Jesus' mission and the extent of the opposition He faced.
• "...that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?": This central statement highlights the critical clash of ideologies. The "Pharisees" represent legalism and externalism, while "this saying" (referring to Mt 15:11) represents Jesus' spiritual truth of internal purity. The outcome, "were offended," is the inevitable reaction of entrenched, external religious piety encountering divine truth that exposes its emptiness. The skandalon indicates a deeply unsettling, challenging truth for them, shaking their spiritual equilibrium.

Matthew 15 12 Bonus section

The concept of "offense" (skandalon) in the New Testament is highly significant. It often describes the stumbling block that Christ and His message become for those who reject Him or struggle with His teachings (e.g., 1 Pet 2:8; 1 Cor 1:23). In this verse, the Pharisees stumble because Jesus' words challenge their very identity and authority, forcing them to confront a truth that negates their carefully constructed system of righteousness. Their offense is not just a personal slight but a fundamental rejection of a different, internal path to purity, leading them further away from the Kingdom of God. This passage therefore also serves as a warning against placing human traditions or legalistic interpretations above the divine principles of the heart. The disciples' question reflects a common human concern for maintaining peace or avoiding conflict, perhaps not fully grasping that divine truth is inherently disruptive to worldly and self-righteous systems. Jesus' response demonstrates that offending human tradition, when upholding God's truth, is a necessary outcome of His ministry.

Matthew 15 12 Commentary

Matthew 15:12 acts as a pivotal moment in the ongoing conflict between Jesus and the religious authorities. The disciples' seemingly innocent question, "Do you know that the Pharisees were offended...?" serves to emphasize the stark division Jesus' teaching created. It wasn't merely a polite disagreement; the term "offended" (eskandalisthesan) suggests a deeply disturbing and potentially spiritually ruinous reaction. The Pharisees, masters of external piety, found Jesus' dismantling of their traditional purity codes intolerable. By declaring that true defilement originates from the evil within the heart, not from external observance of rules about food or handwashing, Jesus exposed the hypocrisy and spiritual blindness that plagued their rigid religious system. Their offense stemmed from pride, challenged authority, and a fundamental misunderstanding of God's true nature and requirements. Jesus' subsequent response (Mt 15:13-14) reveals He was fully aware of their spiritual condition, likening them to "blind guides," illustrating that their offense was a predictable outcome for those whose hearts were distant from God, despite outward piety. This verse succinctly captures the collision between man-made traditions and God-given truth, where truth, like a two-edged sword, cuts deep, often causing offense to those it exposes.