Matthew 15:3 - Clarke's commentary and critical notes on the Bible

But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? Why do ye - transgress the commandment - Ye accuse my disciples of transgressing the traditions of the elders - I accuse you of transgressing the commands of God, and that too in favor of your own tradition; thus preferring the inventions of men to the positive precepts of God. Pretenders to zeal often prefer superstitious usages to the Divine law, and human inventions to the positive duties of Christianity.