Matthew 15:9

“But in vain do they worship me, etc.] In the Hebrew text it is, “their fear towards me”: which is rightly expressed here by “worship”; for the fear of God often intends the whole worship of God, both external and internal: here it only signifies external worship, which these men only attended to. They prayed in the synagogues, read, and, in their way, expounded the books of Moses, and the prophets, to the people, diligently observed the rituals of the ceremonial law, brought their offerings and sacrifices to the temple, and neglected nothing appertaining to the outward service of it; and yet it was all “in vain”, and to no purpose; since the heart was wanting, no grace there, they acted from…”

“See also Mark 7:1-9. Then came to Jesus ... - Mark says that they saw the disciples of Jesus eating with unwashed hands. Matthew 15:2 Transgress the tradition of the elders - The world “elders” literally means “old men.” Here it means the “ancients,” or their “ancestors.” The “tradition of the elders” meant something handed down from one to another by memory; some precept or custom not commanded in the written law, but which scribes and Pharisees held themselves bound to observe. They supposed that when Moses was on Mount Sinai two sets of laws were delivered to him: one, they said, was recorded, and is that contained in the Old Testament; the other was handed down from father to son, and…”

“Teaching the commandments of men - As equal with, nay, superior to, those of God. What can be a more heinous sin? Matthew 15:13”

“in: Exo 20:7; Lev 26:16, Lev 26:20; Sa1 25:21; Psa 39:6, Psa 73:13; Ecc 5:2-7; Isa 1:13-15, Isa 58:1-3; Mal 3:14; Mar 7:7; Co1 15:2; Jam 2:20 teaching: Deu 12:32; Pro 30:5, Pro 30:6; Isa 29:13; Col 2:18-22; Ti1 1:4, Ti1 4:1-3, Ti1 4:6, Ti1 4:7; Tit 1:14; Heb 13:9; Rev 22:18 Matthew 15:10”