Word Pictures in the New Testament - David Cox

Word Pictures in the NT [Matthew: Chapter 15]
what is "common" to all and general like the _Koin•_ Greek, or
what is unclean and "common" either ceremonially or in reality.
The ceremonial "commonness" disturbed Peter on the housetop in
Joppa (Ac 10:14). See also Ac 21:28; Heb 9:13. One who is
thus religiously common or unclean is cut off from doing his
religious acts. "Defilement" was a grave issue with the
rabbinical ceremonialists. Jesus appeals to the crowd here: {Hear
and understand} (\akouete kai suniete\). He has a profound
distinction to draw. Moral uncleanness is what makes a man
common, defiles him. That is what is to be dreaded, not to be
glossed over. "This goes beyond the tradition of the elders and
virtually abrogates the Levitical distinctions between clean and
unclean" (Bruce). One can see the pettifogging pretenders shrivel
up under these withering words.
15:12 {Were offended} (\eskandalisth•san\). First aorist passive.
"Were caused to stumble," "have taken offence" (Moffatt), "have
turned against you" (Weymouth), "were shocked" (Goodspeed), "War
ill-pleased" (Braid Scots). They took umbrage at the public
rebuke and at such a scorpion sting in it all. It cut to the
quick because it was true. It showed in the glowering
countenances of the Pharisees so plainly that the disciples were
uneasy. See on ¯5:29.
15:14 {They are blind guides} (\tuphloi eisin hod•goi\). Graphic
picture. Once in Cincinnati a blind man introduced me to his
blind friend. He said that he was showing him the city. Jesus is
not afraid of the Pharisees. Let them alone to do their worst.
Blind leaders and blind victims will land in the ditch. A
proverbial expression in the O.T.
15:15 {Declare unto us the parable} (\phrason h–min t•n
parabol•n\). Explain the parable (pithy saying) in verse 11,
not in verse 14. As a matter of fact, the disciples had been
upset by Christ's powerful exposure of the "Corban" duplicity and
the words about "defilement" in verse 11.
15:16 {Are ye also even yet without understanding?} (\Akm•n kai
h–meis asunetoi este\). \Akm•n\ is an adverbial accusative
(classic \aichm•\, point (of a weapon)=\akm•n chronou\) at this
point of time, just now=\eti\. It occurs in papyri and
inscriptions, though condemned by the old grammarians. "In spite
of all my teaching, are ye also like the Pharisees without
spiritual insight and grasp?" One must never forget that the
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