The Gospel of Matthew 11:2-18:35

17. Then Pharisees and scribes from Jerusalem approached Jesus saying “Why do your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? They do not wash their hands whenever they eat bread.” He answered them and said “Why do you break God’s commandment on account of your tradition? For God said “Honour your father and mother” and “whoever speaks evil of their mother or father, deserves death.” But you say “Whatever gift I may owe to you has been given to God.” And so you have annulled the word of God on account of your tradition. Hypocrites. Isaiah prophesied well concerning you by saying “This people honours me with their lips but their heart is far away from me. Vainly do they worship me,-teaching teachings which are the precepts of men.” And calling forward the crowd he (Jesus) said to them. “Hear and understand. It is not the thing which enters into the mouth which defiles the man but the thing which comes out of his mouth which defiles him.” 15:1-12 Wisdom Dismisses Petty

18. Then approaching the disciples say to him. “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended on hearing you say this.” And he answering said “Every plant which is not planted by my heavenly Father shall be uprooted. Leave them. They are blind leaders of the blind. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a ditch.” Answering Peter said to him. “Explain the parable to us.” So he said “Are you so lacking in intelligence? Do you not understand that everything going into the mouth goes into the stomach and is cast out into a drain? But things coming out of the mouth and out of the heart. These defile the man. For it is out of the heart that evil comes forth thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witnessings, blasphemies. These are the things that defile the man. But eating with unwashed hands do not defile the man.” 15:12-20 Wisdom Sees Clearly

19. And (then) going forth from there Jesus departed into the parts of Tyre and Sidon. And behold a Canaanite woman from those borders came forward and cried out saying “Have pity on me Lord, son of David. My daughter is badly possessed by a demon.” But he did not answer her a word. And approaching his disciples besought him saying. “Dismiss her because she is crying out behind us.” But he answered and said “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she coming up worshipped him saying “Lord help me” But he answering said “It is not good to take the bread of the children and to throw it to the dogs.” And she said “Yes Lord. But even the dogs eat from the crumbs falling from the table of their masters.” Then answering Jesus said to her “O woman great is your faith. Let it be done to you as you want.” And from that hour her daughter was cured. 15:21-28 Wisdom Praises Summary Page