Matthew 15:16
Matthew 15:16 in Multiple Translations
“Do you still not understand?” Jesus asked.
And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding?
And he said, Are ye also even yet without understanding?
And he said, Are you, like them, still without wisdom?
“Haven't you understood this yet?” replied Jesus.
Then said Iesus, Are ye yet without vnderstanding?
And Jesus said, 'Are ye also yet without understanding?
So Jesus said, “Do you also still not understand?
And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding?
But he said: Are you also yet without understanding?
He replied to them, “◄I am disappointed that even you, who should understand what I teach, still do not understand!/Why is it that even you who should understand what I teach, still do not understand?► [RHQ]
Berean Amplified Bible — Matthew 15:16
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Matthew 15:16 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Greek Word Reference — Matthew 15:16
Study Notes — Matthew 15:16
- Context
- Cross References
- Matthew 15:16 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Matthew 15:16
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Matthew 15:16
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Matthew 15:16
- Trapp's Commentary on Matthew 15:16
- Ellicott's Commentary on Matthew 15:16
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Matthew 15:16
- Cambridge Bible on Matthew 15:16
- Whedon's Commentary on Matthew 15:16
- Sermons on Matthew 15:16
Context — What Defiles a Man
16“Do you still not understand?” Jesus asked.
17“Do you not yet realize that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then is eliminated? 18But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these things defile a man.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matthew 16:9 | Do you still not understand? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? |
| 2 | Mark 7:18 | “Are you still so dull?” He asked. “Do you not understand? Nothing that enters a man from the outside can defile him, |
| 3 | Mark 9:32 | But they did not understand this statement, and they were afraid to ask Him about it. |
| 4 | Luke 9:45 | But they did not understand this statement. It was veiled from them so that they could not comprehend it, and they were afraid to ask Him about it. |
| 5 | Matthew 15:10 | Jesus called the crowd to Him and said, “Listen and understand. |
| 6 | Mark 6:52 | for they had not understood about the loaves, but their hearts had been hardened. |
| 7 | Matthew 16:11 | How do you not understand that I was not telling you about bread? But beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” |
| 8 | Isaiah 28:9–10 | Whom is He trying to teach? To whom is He explaining His message? To infants just weaned from milk? To babies removed from the breast? For they hear: “Order on order, order on order, line on line, line on line; a little here, a little there.” |
| 9 | Matthew 13:51 | Have you understood all these things?” “Yes,” they answered. |
| 10 | Hebrews 5:12 | Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to reteach you the basic principles of God’s word. You need milk, not solid food! |
Matthew 15:16 Summary
[Jesus asked the disciples if they still didn't understand because they had just asked Him to explain a parable, showing they didn't get it. He wanted them to see that what's inside us is what really matters, not just what we do on the outside, as He also taught in Matthew 23:25-26. This is still true for us today, and we can learn from Jesus' patience with the disciples as we grow in our own faith, with the help of the Holy Spirit, as promised in John 14:26.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Jesus ask the disciples if they still did not understand?
Jesus asked this question because the disciples had just requested an explanation of a parable, indicating they had not yet grasped the spiritual truth He was conveying, as seen in Matthew 15:15, and this lack of understanding was a recurring issue, as mentioned in Matthew 16:9
What was Jesus trying to teach the disciples in this moment?
Jesus was trying to teach the disciples that true defilement comes from the heart, not from external sources, a concept that is also explored in Matthew 12:34 and Mark 7:21-23
How does Jesus' question relate to our own lives as believers?
Jesus' question serves as a reminder that we, like the disciples, often struggle to understand spiritual truths, and we must continually seek God's guidance and wisdom, as encouraged in Proverbs 2:6 and James 1:5
What can we learn from Jesus' patience with the disciples' lack of understanding?
We can learn that God is patient with us as we grow in our faith, and He desires to teach us and guide us, as seen in Psalm 32:8 and 2 Peter 3:18
Reflection Questions
- In what areas of my life am I struggling to understand God's will or teachings, and how can I seek His guidance?
- How can I apply Jesus' teaching about the heart being the source of defilement to my own thoughts and actions?
- What are some ways I can cultivate a deeper understanding of spiritual truths, and how can I prioritize this in my daily life?
- How can I balance my desire for knowledge and understanding with humility and recognition of my own limitations, as seen in 1 Corinthians 8:1-3?
Gill's Exposition on Matthew 15:16
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Matthew 15:16
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Matthew 15:16
Trapp's Commentary on Matthew 15:16
Ellicott's Commentary on Matthew 15:16
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Matthew 15:16
Cambridge Bible on Matthew 15:16
Whedon's Commentary on Matthew 15:16
Sermons on Matthew 15:16
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Transfiguration in the Holy Spirit by St. Seraphim of Sarov | St. Seraphim of Sarov explains to a seeker how to know if one is in the grace of the Holy Spirit, emphasizing the importance of seeking divine knowledge filled with love for God an |
|
In the Midst of a Miracle by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson emphasizes that we may be in the midst of a miracle without realizing it, as we often feel discouraged when we see no evidence of God's work. He draws from Psalm 18 |
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His Excellent Greatness by T. Austin-Sparks | T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the excellent greatness of the Lord Jesus, drawing parallels between Him and Solomon's dominion, bounty, and glory. He highlights that only the Father f |
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Finding New Strength by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson emphasizes the importance of remembering God's miraculous deliverances in our lives, drawing parallels between the forgetfulness of the disciples and our own tenden |
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Jesus Interprets the Law by Paul Bramsen | Paul Bramsen preaches about the wisdom of interpreting daily experiences, making personal rules for living, considering others' experiences, and ultimately obeying the words of God |
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Exposition on Psalm 126 by St. Augustine | St. Augustine preaches about how man came into captivity through sin, being sold under sin by their own consent. However, redemption comes through faith in righteousness, as innoce |
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The Problem of Our Own Hearts by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson emphasizes the critical importance of guarding our hearts, as Proverbs 4:23 reminds us that the issues of life spring from within. He warns that despite our efforts |





