heals, he heals perfectly. Were men more acquainted with Christ, and with the diseased state of
their souls, they would flock to receive his healing influences. The healing virtue was not in the
finger, but in their faith; or rather, it was in Christ, whom their faith took hold upon.
Chapter 15
Chapter Outline
Jesus discourses about human traditions. (1–9)
He warns against things which really defile. (10–20)
He heals the daughter of a Syrophenician (21–28)
woman.
Jesus heals the sick, and miraculously feeds (29–39)
four thousand.Verses 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.
Verses 10–20
Christ shows that the defilement they ought to fear, was not from what entered their mouths as
food, but from what came out of their mouths, which showed the wickedness of their hearts. Nothing
will last in the soul but the regenerating graces of the Holy Spirit; and nothing should be admitted
into the church but what is from above; therefore, whoever is offended by a plain, seasonable
declaration of the truth, we should not be troubled at it. The disciples ask to be better taught as to
this matter. Where a weak head doubts concerning any word of Christ, an upright heart and a willing
mind seek for instruction. It is the heart that is desperately wicked, Jer 17:9, for there is no sin in
word or deed, which was not first in the heart. They all come out of the man, and are fruits of that
wickedness which is in the heart, and is wrought there. When Christ teaches, he will show men the