SEV Biblia, Chapter 15:3
Y l respondiendo, les dijo: ¿Por qu tambin vosotros traspasis el mandamiento de Dios por vuestra tradicin?
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Matthew 15:3
Verse 3. Why do ye-transgress the commandment] Ye accuse my disciples of transgressing the traditions of the elders-I accuse you of transgressing the commands of God, and that too in favour of your own tradition; thus preferring the inventions of men to the positive precepts of God. Pretenders to zeal often prefer superstitious usages to the Divine law, and human inventions to the positive duties of Christianity.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 3. But he answered and said unto them , etc.] Taking no notice of the tradition about eating bread without washing the hands, whether it was right or wrong; it being at most but an human tradition, of no moment and importance, whether it was broke or kept; he makes a very just recrimination, by putting another question to them, why do you also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? suggesting, that, if his disciples were guilty, they were not so guilty as they themselves were; that his disciples, at most, were but guilty of the breach of an human precept, whereas they were guilty of the breach of a divine command; and that it was strange, that men who were so scrupulous of breaking, and bore so hard on such as did transgress the traditions of the elders, could allow themselves to transgress the commandments of God; yea, to do this by, and while they were observing their own traditions: and which observation carries a full acquittance of the disciples from blame; for, if by keeping the traditions of the elders, they broke the commands of God, it was a very good reason why they should not observe them.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-9 - Additions to God's laws reflect upon his wisdom, as if he had left ou something which was needed, and which man could supply; in one way of 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' 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, an therefore their parents must expect nothing from them. This was makin the command of God of no effect. The doom of hypocrites is put in little compass; "In vain do they worship me." It will neither pleas God, nor profit themselves; they trust in vanity, and vanity will be their recompence.
Greek Textus Receptus
ο 3588 T-NSM δε 1161 CONJ αποκριθεις 611 5679 V-AOP-NSM ειπεν 2036 5627 V-2AAI-3S αυτοις 846 P-DPM δια 1223 PREP τι 5101 I-ASN και 2532 CONJ υμεις 5210 P-2NP παραβαινετε 3845 5719 V-PAI-2P την 3588 T-ASF εντολην 1785 N-ASF του 3588 T-GSM θεου 2316 N-GSM δια 1223 PREP την 3588 T-ASF παραδοσιν 3862 N-ASF υμων 5216 P-2GP
Vincent's NT Word Studies
3. Also (kai). The significance of this little word must not be overlooked. Christ admits that the disciples had transgressed a human injunction, but adds, "Ye also transgress, and in a much greater way." "Whether the disciples transgress or not, you are the greatest transgressors" (Bengel). The one question is met with the other in the same style. Luther says, "He places one wedge against the other, and therewith drives the first back."
Robertson's NT Word Studies
15:3 {Ye also} (kai h-meis). Jesus admits that the disciples had transgressed the rabbinical traditions. Jesus treats it as a matter of no great importance in itself save as they had put the tradition of the elders in the place of the commandment of God. When the two clashed, as was often the case, the rabbis transgress the commandment of God "because of your tradition" (dia tn paradosin h-m"n). The accusative with dia means that, not "by means of." Tradition is not good or bad in itself. It is merely what is handed on from one to another. Custom tended to make these traditions binding like law. The Talmud is a monument of their struggle with tradition. There could be no compromise on this subject and Jesus accepts the issue. He stands for real righteousness and spiritual freedom, not for bondage to mere ceremonialism and tradition. The rabbis placed tradition (the oral law) above the law of God.
