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frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/matthew/15-14.htm" title="Matthew 15:14">◄</a> Matthew 15:15 <a href="/matthew/15-16.htm" title="Matthew 15:16">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/matthew/15.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/matthew/15.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Peter said, &#8220Explain the parable to us.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/matthew/15.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Then Peter said to Jesus, “Explain to us the parable that says people aren’t defiled by what they eat.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/matthew/15.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />But Peter said to him, “Explain the parable to us.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/matthew/15.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Peter said to Him, “Explain this parable to us.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/15.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And Peter answering said to Him, "Explain this parable to us."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/matthew/15.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/matthew/15.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then Peter answered and said to Him, “Explain this parable to us.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/matthew/15.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Peter said to Him, “Explain the parable to us.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/matthew/15.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Peter said to Him, &#8220Explain the parable to us.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/matthew/15.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And Peter answered and said to Him, “Explain the parable to us.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/matthew/15.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Now Peter answered and said to Him, “Explain the parable to us.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/matthew/15.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Peter asked Him, “Explain this parable [about what defiles a person] to us.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/matthew/15.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Peter said, “Explain this parable to us.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/matthew/15.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Peter replied to Him, &#8220Explain this parable to us.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/matthew/15.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Peter answered and said unto him, Declare unto us the parable.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/matthew/15.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Peter replied, "What did you mean when you talked about the things that make people unclean?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/matthew/15.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Peter answered and said unto him, Declare unto us the parable.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/matthew/15.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Peter said to him, "Explain this illustration to us."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/matthew/15.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Peter spoke up, "Explain this saying to us." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/matthew/15.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Then Peter told him, "Explain to us this parable."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/matthew/15.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Peter said to Him, ?Explain this parable to us.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/matthew/15.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />But Peter said to him, "Explain this parable to us."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/matthew/15.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />And answering, Peter said to him, "Explain this parable to us."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/matthew/15.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Then answered Peter and said to him, Declare to us this parable.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/15.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"Explain to us this figurative language," said Peter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/matthew/15.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Peter answered him, “Explain the parable to us.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/matthew/15.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Peter answering said to Him, “Explain to us this allegory.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/15.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And Peter answering said to Him, "Explain this parable to us."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/matthew/15.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Peter answering said to him, 'Explain to us this simile.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/matthew/15.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Peter, having answered, said to him, Explain to us this parable.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/matthew/15.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And Peter answering, said to him: Expound to us this parable. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/matthew/15.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And responding, Peter said to him, “Explain this parable to us.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/matthew/15.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Then Peter said to him in reply, “Explain [this] parable to us.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/matthew/15.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />But Peter said to him, “Explain this parable to us.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/matthew/15.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And Simon Peter answered and said to him, My Lord, explain this parable to us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/15.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />And Shimeon Kaypha answered and said to him: “My Lord, explain to us this parable.”<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/matthew/15.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />But Peter answered and said to him: Explain to us this dark saying.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/matthew/15.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />Peter responding said to Him, Explain unto us the parable.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/matthew/15.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />Then Peter answering said unto him, Explain to us this parable.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/matthew/15.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />then Peter said to him, tell us the meaning of that expression.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/15.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"Explain to us this figurative language," said Peter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/matthew/15.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />And Peter, answering, said to Him, "Explain to us the parable."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/matthew/15.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />Then Peter answered, and said unto Him, Explain to us this parable.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/matthew/15-15.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=4335" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/matthew/15.htm">What Defiles a Man</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">14</span>Disregard them! They are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.” <span class="reftext">15</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/4074.htm" title="4074: Petros (N-NMS) -- Peter, a Greek name meaning rock. Apparently a primary word; a rock; as a name, Petrus, an apostle.">Peter</a> <a href="/greek/611.htm" title="611: Apokritheis (V-APP-NMS) -- From apo and krino; to conclude for oneself, i.e. to respond; by Hebraism to begin to speak.">said</a> <a href="/greek/2036.htm" title="2036: eipen (V-AIA-3S) -- Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say."></a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autō (PPro-DM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">to Him,</a> <a href="/greek/5419.htm" title="5419: Phrason (V-AMA-2S) -- To declare, explain, interpret. Probably akin to phrasso through the idea of defining; to indicate, i.e., to expound.">“Explain</a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: tautēn (DPro-AFS) -- This; he, she, it. ">this</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3850.htm" title="3850: parabolēn (N-AFS) -- From paraballo; a similitude, i.e. fictitious narrative, apothegm or adage.">parable</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: hēmin (PPro-D1P) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">to us.”</a> </span> <span class="reftext">16</span>“Do you still not understand?” Jesus asked.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/7-17.htm">Mark 7:17</a></span><br />After Jesus had left the crowd and gone into the house, His disciples inquired about the parable.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/13-36.htm">Matthew 13:36</a></span><br />Then Jesus dismissed the crowds and went into the house. His disciples came to Him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/8-9.htm">Luke 8:9</a></span><br />Then His disciples asked Him what this parable meant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/16-29.htm">John 16:29</a></span><br />His disciples said, “See, now You are speaking plainly and without figures of speech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/10-14.htm">Acts 10:14</a></span><br />“No, Lord!” Peter answered. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/3-1.htm">1 Corinthians 3:1-2</a></span><br />Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual, but as worldly—as infants in Christ. / I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for solid food. In fact, you are still not ready,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/5-11.htm">Hebrews 5:11-14</a></span><br />We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain, because you are dull of hearing. / 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! / For everyone who lives on milk is still an infant, inexperienced in the message of righteousness. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/3-13.htm">James 3:13</a></span><br />Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/4-7.htm">Proverbs 4:7</a></span><br />Wisdom is supreme; so acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/6-9.htm">Isaiah 6:9-10</a></span><br />And He replied: “Go and tell this people, ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ / Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/5-21.htm">Jeremiah 5:21</a></span><br />“Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/12-2.htm">Ezekiel 12:2</a></span><br />“Son of man, you are living in a rebellious house. They have eyes to see but do not see, and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/119-18.htm">Psalm 119:18</a></span><br />Open my eyes that I may see wondrous things from Your law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/14-9.htm">Hosea 14:9</a></span><br />Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them. For the ways of the LORD are right, and the righteous walk in them but the rebellious stumble in them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/1-10.htm">1 Peter 1:10-12</a></span><br />Concerning this salvation, the prophets who foretold the grace to come to you searched and investigated carefully, / trying to determine the time and setting to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. / It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, when they foretold the things now announced by those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Then answered Peter and said to him, Declare to us this parable.</p><p class="hdg">Declare.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/13-36.htm">Matthew 13:36</a></b></br> Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/mark/4-34.htm">Mark 4:34</a></b></br> But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/mark/7-17.htm">Mark 7:17</a></b></br> And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/15-10.htm">Clear</a> <a href="/matthew/13-36.htm">Declare</a> <a href="/matthew/13-36.htm">Explain</a> <a href="/matthew/13-36.htm">Expound</a> <a href="/matthew/13-35.htm">Figurative</a> <a href="/matthew/13-35.htm">Language</a> <a href="/matthew/13-36.htm">Parable</a> <a href="/matthew/14-29.htm">Peter</a> <a href="/matthew/13-36.htm">Simile</a> <a href="/matthew/13-36.htm">Story</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/18-15.htm">Clear</a> <a href="/matthew/16-18.htm">Declare</a> <a href="/matthew/16-21.htm">Explain</a> <a href="/acts/11-4.htm">Expound</a> <a href="/matthew/22-1.htm">Figurative</a> <a href="/matthew/22-1.htm">Language</a> <a href="/matthew/21-33.htm">Parable</a> <a href="/matthew/16-16.htm">Peter</a> <a href="/matthew/24-32.htm">Simile</a> <a href="/matthew/28-15.htm">Story</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 15</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/15-1.htm">Jesus reproves the Scribes and Pharisees </a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/15-7.htm">for transgressing God's commandments through their own traditions;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/15-10.htm">teaches how that which goes into the mouth does not defile a man.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/15-21.htm">He heals the daughter of the woman of Canaan,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">29. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/15-29.htm">and other great multitudes;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">32. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/15-32.htm">and with seven loaves and a few small fish feeds four thousand men</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/15.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/15.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Peter said to Him</b><br>Peter, one of Jesus' closest disciples, often acted as the spokesperson for the group. His role among the disciples highlights his leadership and his impulsive nature, which is evident throughout the Gospels. This moment reflects Peter's desire to understand Jesus' teachings more deeply, a characteristic that would later be crucial in his role in the early church. Peter's interactions with Jesus often reveal his growing understanding and faith, as well as his human struggles.<p><b>“Explain this parable to us.”</b><br>The request for an explanation indicates that the disciples, including Peter, did not fully grasp the meaning of Jesus' teachings at this point. Parables were a common teaching method used by Jesus to convey spiritual truths through everyday stories. The specific parable in question here relates to what defiles a person, emphasizing internal purity over external rituals. This request for clarification shows the disciples' reliance on Jesus for understanding spiritual matters, a theme that runs throughout the Gospels. It also underscores the gradual revelation of truth to the disciples, who would later receive fuller understanding through the Holy Spirit after Jesus' resurrection.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/peter.htm">Peter</a></b><br>One of Jesus' twelve apostles, known for his impulsive nature and leadership among the disciples. He often acts as a spokesperson for the group.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus</a></b><br>The central figure of the New Testament, the Son of God, and the teacher of the disciples. In this passage, He is explaining His teachings to His followers.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/d/disciples.htm">Disciples</a></b><br>The group of Jesus' followers who are learning from His teachings and witnessing His miracles. They often seek clarification on His parables and teachings.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/p/parable.htm">Parable</a></b><br>A simple account used by Jesus to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson. In this context, it refers to the teaching Jesus gave earlier in the chapter about what defiles a person.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/p/pharisees_and_scribes.htm">Pharisees and Scribes</a></b><br>Religious leaders of the time who often opposed Jesus and His teachings. They are mentioned earlier in the chapter as questioning Jesus about His disciples' practices.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_seeking_understanding.htm">The Importance of Seeking Understanding</a></b><br>Like Peter, we should actively seek to understand God's Word. Asking questions and seeking clarification is a vital part of spiritual growth.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/humility_in_learning.htm">Humility in Learning</a></b><br>Peter's request for explanation demonstrates humility. We should approach Scripture with a humble heart, acknowledging our need for God's guidance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_jesus_as_teacher.htm">The Role of Jesus as Teacher</a></b><br>Jesus is the ultimate teacher. We should rely on His wisdom and the Holy Spirit to illuminate the truths of Scripture.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_value_of_community_in_learning.htm">The Value of Community in Learning</a></b><br>Peter's question benefits all the disciples. Engaging in Bible study within a community can lead to shared insights and deeper understanding.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/guarding_against_legalism.htm">Guarding Against Legalism</a></b><br>The context of this passage warns against focusing on external rituals over internal purity. We should prioritize heart transformation over mere rule-following.<a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/15.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(15) <span class= "bld">Declare unto us this parable.</span>--The answer shows that Peter's question referred not to the proverb that immediately preceded, but to what seemed to him the strange, startling utterance of <a href="/matthew/15-11.htm" title="Not that which goes into the mouth defiles a man; but that which comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.">Matthew 15:11</a>. It was significant that he could not as yet take in the thought that it was a truth to be received literally. To him it seemed a dark enigmatic saying, which required an explanation, like that which had been given of the parable of the Sower, to make its meaning clear.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/15.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 15.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Then answered Peter.</span> The disciples could not understand the apparent depreciation of the external in religion; they did not see the meaning of what Christ had said. Peter, as their mouthpiece, asked for further explanation. <span class="cmt_word">Declare</span>; <span class="greek">φράσον</span>: <span class="accented">edissere.</span> Explain. <span class="cmt_word">Parable</span>. The word in an extended sense is used of any hard, enigmatical saying or figurative expression. The term here is applied to the statement in ver. 11. The apostles did not comprehend the minimizing of the rules concerning purification, and the possibility of a man being defiled by what proceeded from his mouth. Inveterate prejudices die hard, and it is difficult to emancipate one's self from old modes of thought. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/matthew/15-15.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">Peter</span><br /><span class="grk">Πέτρος</span> <span class="translit">(Petros)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4074.htm">Strong's 4074: </a> </span><span class="str2">Peter, a Greek name meaning rock. Apparently a primary word; a rock; as a name, Petrus, an apostle.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">said</span><br /><span class="grk">Ἀποκριθεὶς</span> <span class="translit">(Apokritheis)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_611.htm">Strong's 611: </a> </span><span class="str2">From apo and krino; to conclude for oneself, i.e. to respond; by Hebraism to begin to speak.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to Him,</span><br /><span class="grk">αὐτῷ</span> <span class="translit">(autō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Explain</span><br /><span class="grk">Φράσον</span> <span class="translit">(Phrason)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5419.htm">Strong's 5419: </a> </span><span class="str2">To declare, explain, interpret. Probably akin to phrasso through the idea of defining; to indicate, i.e., to expound.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">this</span><br /><span class="grk">ταύτην</span> <span class="translit">(tautēn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> </span><span class="str2">This; he, she, it. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">parable</span><br /><span class="grk">παραβολήν</span> <span class="translit">(parabolēn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3850.htm">Strong's 3850: </a> </span><span class="str2">From paraballo; a similitude, i.e. fictitious narrative, apothegm or adage.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to us.”</span><br /><span class="grk">ἡμῖν</span> <span class="translit">(hēmin)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> </span><span class="str2">I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/15-15.htm">Matthew 15:15 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/matthew/15-15.htm">Matthew 15:15 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/matthew/15-15.htm">Matthew 15:15 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/matthew/15-15.htm">Matthew 15:15 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/matthew/15-15.htm">Matthew 15:15 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/15-15.htm">Matthew 15:15 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/15-15.htm">Matthew 15:15 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/15-15.htm">Matthew 15:15 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/15-15.htm">Matthew 15:15 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/matthew/15-15.htm">Matthew 15:15 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/matthew/15-15.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 15:15 Peter answered him Explain the parable (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/15-14.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 15:14"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 15:14" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/15-16.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 15:16"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 15:16" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>