Verses 1-9, “Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, “Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.” He answered and said to them, “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition? For God commanded, saying, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’ But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God ”— then he need not honor his father or mother.’ Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition. Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ ”
Traditions of men are fine, but they should never become more important than the commandments of God, undermining His authority or causing someone to transgress His word. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for doing this, calling them hypocrites. Although they were giving God honor in their words, they were not honoring Him with their actions. Holiday celebrations have become long-lived traditions in our culture, but if you look into their origin and the symbolism in the festivities, you will find that when you practice these traditions, they can conflict with the commands of God. Many holiday practices involve the worship of Pagan gods, and we are warned about doing this. Jeremiah 10 tells us that we are not to learn the way of the gentiles, and Deuteronomy 12:4 tells us not to worship God the way that pagans worship their gods. However, if you share this truth, you will likely get a similar response to the Pharisees. They'll be offended, because their tradition is more important than honoring God. This person would never defend Jesus to the extent that they defend their false belief...therefore, they too are hypocrites of they call themselves followers of Christ.
The Pharisees were hung up on the disciples not washing their hands when they ate bread, but missed the fact that their own hands may be clean, but their hearts were filthy. They weren't even disgusted by poor hygiene, but rather offended that their man-made law was broken. Verses 17-20, "Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.” By declaring people as "unclean" according to their rules, the Pharisees were also denying people access to Jesus. But Jesus told the disciples to leave them alone, and let the Father handle it. We know that those who conduct themselves without fear of the Lord will eventually be judged. Keep in mind that it is possible to get some things right, yet still be way off the mark of righteousness, even leading others to engage in the same sinful behavior. If you have offended God...He will repay with vengeance, so repent quickly and clear yourself of any guilt.
Luke 11:39-44, Then the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees make the outside of the cup and dish clean, but your inward part is full of greed and wickedness. Foolish ones! Did not He who made the outside make the inside also? But rather give alms of such things as you have; then indeed all things are clean to you. “But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass by justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like graves which are not seen, and the men who walk over them are not aware of them.” Their tithing was certainly necessary to obey God, but they also needed to show love and justice. You cannot do one thing well and leave the rest undone. People often judge others by comparing the one thing they do well to the things others have wrong, ignoring their own disobedience. This is hypocritical judging. We are told to remove the plank from our own eye first so we can help others. Notice that coming into contact with Pharisees would defile a person just like walking over a dead man's grave unknowingly, showing us the importance of who we choose to come into contact with. Proverbs 12:26, “The righteous should choose his friends carefully, For the way of the wicked leads them astray.”
The Jews were God's chosen people, but Jesus marvels over the faith of gentiles. The Jews had every reason to have faith in God, but didn't, which makes gentile faith even more remarkable. Verses 25-28, "Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, 'Lord, help me!' But He answered and said, 'It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.' And she said, 'Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.' Then Jesus answered and said to her, 'O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.' And her daughter was healed from that very hour." This woman who was interceding for her demon possessed daughter knew exactly who Jesus was, even when the Pharisees couldn't see it. Her faith was persistent, even when Jesus didn't give her an immediate yes answer. It should give us cause to question the persistence of our own faith. Do we still believe in God even when He does not answer quickly enough or if things do not go our way...or do we give up and revert back to our flesh and put ourselves back in control? God allows trials in our lives to test our commitment to Him. Rather than arguing with God over the thing He wants you to give up, try giving it all up. Lay your life down on the alter as a sacrifice, and do not even think about picking it back up. The persistent prayer of a righteous man is effective; however, if you have sin separating you from God, you should not expect Him to answer until you repent.
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