2 Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.
2 "Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don't wash their hands before they eat!"
2 "Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat."
2 "Why do your disciples play fast and loose with the rules?"
2 "Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread."
2 "Why do your disciples disobey our age-old tradition? For they ignore our tradition of ceremonial hand washing before they eat."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Matthew 15:2
Commentary on Matthew 15:1-9
(Read Matthew 15:1-9)
Additions to God's laws reflect upon his wisdom, as if he had left out something which was needed, and which man could supply; in one way or other they always lead men to disobey God. How thankful ought we to be for the written word of God! Never let us think that the religion of the Bible can be improved by any human addition, either in doctrine or practice. Our blessed Lord spoke of their traditions as inventions of their own, and pointed out one instance in which this was very clear, that of their transgressing the fifth commandment. When a parent's wants called for assistance, they pleaded, that they had devoted to the temple all they could spare, even though they did not part with it, and therefore their parents must expect nothing from them. This was making the command of God of no effect. The doom of hypocrites is put in a little compass; "In vain do they worship me." It will neither please God, nor profit themselves; they trust in vanity, and vanity will be their recompence.