V1       The Pharisees are clearly concerned, sending a delegation from Jerusalem to see Jesus.

V2-3    The accusation and the answer; the Pharisees accuse Jesus’ disciples, not Jesus directly, of breaking their tradition.

V4-7    Jesus’ response is to point out that those traditions cause people to disobey God. They make proper-sounding statements, but they hold little real love for God.

V8       Right words do not always reflect a real change of heart; Balaam, Nebuchadnezzar, the slave girl at Philippi, and others, all made truthful statements, but their hearts were far from God.

V9            Difference between the rules of men and the commands of God. We are wrong to teach human rules as if they are the same as God’s commands.

V10     Jesus addresses the multitude on the subject of false doctrine. One essential part of teaching truth is to expose error.

V11     The clear statement; that what goes into a person’s mouth does not defile, for that is simply a physical thing. In contrast those things that come out for the mouth, which come from the heart, can defile. See v17-19.

V12     The Pharisees spoke of Jesus’ disciples; Jesus spoke to the crowd about the Pharisees; yes! The Pharisees would be offended.

V13-14            The Pharisees are “not planted” by God; they are the blind leading the blind.

Jesus’ instruction is clear, “leave them.” Although we may give some time to trying to explain the truths to such people, as in 2 Tim 2.25; there comes a time when we must reject the divisive man, Titus 3.10.

V15-16            The disciples seem to be slow at understanding.

V17-20            The matter of defilement; this is not to do with food and drink, but rather attitudes and actions.

V21-28            Jesus left the land of Judea, to go to the region of Tyre and Sidon. Fewer people would know of Him, yet even here is true faith. His silence and apparent unwillingness is perhaps a test of her faith (compare 14.16, 25, and see also 7.21). Since Matthew’s emphasis is to write to the Jews, he records Jesus’ speaking of the lost sheep of Israel. Yet, even in the OT, Gentiles came to live under the wings of the God of Israel.

            The woman’s faith is clear; she cries out to the Lord, worshipping Him, and showing persistence. Her faith is “great,” and she is rewarded with her daughter’s healing.

V29-31            All manner of diseases and afflictions healed, including ‘permanent’ disabilities; 4.23; 8.16; 9.35; 14.35-36. Jesus’ ministry clearly has a great impact around Galilee, where these healings are performed.

V32     “I do not want to send them away,” says the Lord, full of compassion. Contrast 14.15, and v23; it seems that this time, the Lord pre-empts the disciples’ statement. People do not always arrive at convenient times; the Lord makes Himself available for all.

V33-39            The fact that Matthew records two such feedings suggests that Jesus performed such miracles several times. The gospel writers gather selected data, giving a flavour of Christ’s ministry.

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