Matthew 15:3‑6 is a passage in the New Testament Gospel of Matthew, chapter 15, verses 3 through 6. The verses form part of a larger narrative in which Jesus dialogues with the Pharisees and teachers of the law concerning the interpretation of Mosaic commandments.
Textual content
In most modern English translations, the passage reads as follows (New Revised Standard Version):
“For Scribes and Pharisees who sit on the throne of Moses have taken away from the commandment of God that ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and have taught that ‘If a man says to his father or his mother: “Whatever you would have me do for you, as a gift,” you need not honor them.’”
(The exact wording varies among translations such as the King James Version, New International Version, etc.)
Literary context
The passage occurs after Jesus has entered the region of Decapolis and healed a Canaanite woman's daughter (Matthew 15:21‑28). Verses 3‑6 introduce the conflict concerning the “tradition of the elders” (cf. Matthew 15:1‑2) and set the stage for Jesus’ teaching on what truly defiles a person (verses 7‑20). The Pharisees’ citation of “the commandment of God” with a qualifying phrase about giving gifts to parents is understood by scholars to refer to a contemporary interpretive tradition that emphasized material support over relational respect.
Historical and scholarly interpretation
Academic commentary generally views Matthew 15:3‑6 as reflecting an early Christian critique of certain Second‑Temple Jewish practices. The passage illustrates:
- Legalism versus intent – The Pharisees are portrayed as prioritizing a technical exemption (“if a man says… you need not honor them”) over the ethical principle of honoring parents (Exodus 20:12).
- Use of “Scribes and Pharisees” – The plural term denotes a representative group of Jewish religious authorities who claimed authority to interpret the Law.
- Citation of “the commandment of God” – Scholars note that the phrase mirrors the Decalogue, emphasizing that Jesus is invoking the most foundational covenantal law.
The passage also serves a rhetorical purpose: it contrasts the “traditions of the elders” (Matthew 15:2) with the enduring moral demands of the Torah, thereby legitimizing Jesus’ subsequent teaching that purity is a matter of the heart rather than external observance.
Theological significance
Within Christian tradition, Matthew 15:3‑6 is frequently cited in discussions of:
- Honor of parents – The passage affirms the biblical injunction to respect one’s father and mother while warning against reducing that duty to a transactional exchange.
- Critique of religious hypocrisy – The text exemplifies a broader Matthean theme that religious leaders may “nullify the word of God for the sake of tradition” (cf. Matthew 23:23).
- Ethical priority of love and mercy – By challenging the literalist application of the law, the passage underscores a moral framework where the spirit of the command outweighs rigid formalism.
Textual witnesses
The verses are attested in the earliest Greek manuscripts of the Gospel of Matthew, including Codex Sinaiticus (𝔊^B), Codex Vaticanus (𝔊^F), and later papyri such as Papyrus 𝔓^45. Variants among manuscripts are minimal; most textual differences concern minor spelling or word order without affecting the passage’s overall meaning.
Reception history
Church Fathers such as Augustine and John Chrysostom referenced this passage in homilies on filial piety. In later Christian exegesis, it has been employed in moral teachings, catechetical instruction, and liturgical lectionaries, often paired with the parallel account in Mark 7:9‑13.
Scholarly consensus
The majority of biblical scholars agree that Matthew 15:3‑6 functions as a polemical statement against a perceived misapplication of Mosaic law by certain Jewish authorities of the period. No substantial controversy exists regarding the authenticity of the verses within the canonical Gospel of Matthew.