Matthew Chapter 15

Matthew 15 — “Clean Hearts and Great Faith in the Kingdom”

Matthew 14 showed Christ feeding Israel and walking upon the waters.
Matthew 15 now reveals what truly makes a people holy.

This chapter is not about food.
It is about the heart.

The Kingdom of Heaven is not built on external purity —
it is built on interior conversion.

1. Tradition and the Commandment of God

“Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders?” (Matt 15:2)

The Pharisees accuse Jesus of impiety.

But Christ exposes something deeper:

Not all traditions are holy.

The Church does not reject tradition —
she discerns it.

True tradition preserves God’s Word.

False tradition replaces it.

St Jerome writes:

“Tradition is holy when it carries Scripture; it is dangerous when it buries it.”
(Commentary on Matthew)

2. Corban: When Religion Serves Self

The Pharisees allowed people to avoid caring for parents by dedicating money to the temple.

This is religion used for convenience.

Christ condemns it.

Piety without love is hypocrisy.

3. What Defiles a Person

“It is not what goes into the mouth…” (v. 11)

Christ shifts holiness inward.

Sin begins in the heart:

• pride
• lust
• hatred
• deceit

External observance without inner holiness is empty.

St Augustine writes:

“What pollutes a man is not the food he eats, but the love he chooses.”
(Sermons)

4. Blind Guides

“They are blind guides…” (v. 14)

False teachers lead others into ruin.

The Church is warned:

Do not follow those who do not see God.

5. The Canaanite Woman

“Have mercy on me, O Lord…” (v. 22)

She is a Gentile.

An outsider.

Yet her faith is relentless.

Christ tests her not to reject her — but to reveal her faith.

St John Chrysostom writes:

“He delayed not to deny her, but to crown her.”
(Homilies on Matthew)

Her humility unlocks grace.

6. “Great Is Your Faith”

Her daughter is healed.

The Kingdom is open to all who believe.

7. Healing and Feeding Again

Christ heals many.

Then feeds four thousand.

The Church never exhausts Christ’s mercy.

Christ in Matthew 15

Jesus is:

• the purifier of hearts
• the judge of hypocrisy
• the mercy of Gentiles
• the Bread of life

Spiritual Application

  • Guard your heart.
  • Choose humility.
  • Trust Christ.
  • Feed on His grace.

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ,
cleanse our hearts from all impurity.
Give us the humility of the Canaanite woman
and the faith to cling to You.
Feed us with Your mercy
until we are made holy in Your presence forever.
Amen.