ACC ~ Matthew 15 v5 - 6

MISTAKEN ENDS

THEODORE OF MOPSUESTIA: The scribes were entirely preoccupied with something else. The Lord instead was teaching them to take care of the needs of the body, so long as they were encouraged to cultivate virtue. When the Pharisees observed his disciples unconcerned about washing, they censured him on the grounds that he had not taught them with enough care that it was a matter of utmost importance that they not eat what they had not washed. What reply, then, does the Lord make to this? “Why do you transgress the commandments of God for the sake of your tradition?” Thus he reframes the question into an even graver accusation. They had not only broken God’s command but also misused it for mistaken ends. The metaphor shifts: God had commanded that parents be honored by their children. That honor was owed to them to such an extent that whichever of their children sinned stubbornly against them merely by word would be condemned. [1] “But you say, ’If any one tells his father or his mother, What you would have gained from me is given to God, he need not honor his father. You say that it is up to the children whether to honor their parents or not. You imply that a son says nothing out of bounds to a father when he says,”I will give a thank offering instead of taking care of you, my own father, and no further care is to be taken of you.” [2] In this way, by your own peculiar traditions, you yourselves are dishonoring the gifts of almighty God. FRAGMENT 79. [3]

[1] Deut 21:18-21.

[2] On Corban see p. 18 n. 10.

[3] MKGK 124-25.

Mt