This verse starts an interaction and a short discourse.
The "Pharisees" fit the model of the "birds" or "eye" as in false leaders who use others for their own benefit.

The "scribes" fit the model of the "pigs" or "hands" as in those who work for the "birds". In this case, in more of an academic role. The "pig" could be a soldier (e.g., in the Crusades), part of an inquisition (torturing, killing, etc.) or some more benign role such as a "scribe" to support the "birds".

More: Matthew 5:13-16 Animal crackers

The ancient Greek word "πρεσβύτερος" ≈ "older (of two people), advanced in life, senior" and comes from "πρέσβυς" ≈ "elderly, aged". This word is the source of the English word "Presbyterian".

More: Luke 2:8-21 Shepherds and Presbyterians

The ancient Greek word "νίζω" ≈ "wash (hands or feet of another), purge, cleanse". A back-formation of this word is that used in the above verse.

The "disciples" fit the model of the "sheep" or "hair". Their "head" is Jesus.

The Greek translated as "why" is that of "through what".
The ancient Greek word "νίζω" ≈ "wash (hands or feet of another), purge, cleanse".

Interestingly, in the animal and body part model, the "feet" as "fish" need "washed" in the "blood" but the "hands" as "pigs" or "sheep" and the "head" as Jesus do not. The "birds", apparently, are beyond hope.

More: Matthew 5:33-37: Hairs of the head - yes no

More: No sword no shoes no service on the way

More: Song: Are you washed in the blood?

The Greek for "transgress" means, literally, "walk beyond". The ancient Greek word "παραβάτην" ≈ "transgressor" is meaning, literally, one who "walks beyond" (where they are supposed to go).

• "παρα" ≈ "beyond".
• "βαίνω" ≈ "walk, step" and is the source of English words such as "acrobat" (one who walks end to end).



More: Going beyond the prefix para

The ancient Greek word "παράδοσις" ≈ "transmission, transfer" and comes from two Greek words.

• "παρα" ≈ "beyond".
• "δόσις" ≈ "giving, gift, dose of medicine" and is the source of the English word "dose".

In context, it can mean "tradition" as something "transmitted" or "handed over" from generation to generation as in "beyond" the current generation.

The "traditions" of men that form man's additions to God's law is what Jesus refers to as "jots" as "opinions" or "spots" and "tittles" as "horns" or "rules". These are usually enforced, deceptively, using "oaths".

More: Going beyond the prefix para

More: Matthew 5:18 The true reality of jots and tittles

More: Matthew 5:33-37 Reasoning about oaths - yes no

The Greek word for "tradition" or "hand over" is related to the Greek word for "betray" or "hand over". The ancient Greek word "παράδοσις" ≈ "transmission, transfer" and comes from two Greek words.

• "παρά" ≈ "beyond".
• "δόσις" ≈ "giving, gift, dose of medicine"and is the source of the English word "dose".

In context, it can mean "tradition" as something "transmitted" or "handed over" from generation to generation as in "beyond" the current generation. The word is related to the Greek word for "betray".

Jesus turns their reasoning back to them. That is, they are accusing the disciples of what, in a general sense, they are themselves doing but they do not see any connection (until Jesus elaborates).

Here are some ways to "transgress".

• Active (commission): Violate some or all of the "laws" of God.
• Passive (omission): Not follow some or all of the "laws" of God.

Man can introduce "traditions", often with "oaths", that keep one from following all the laws of God. This is called the "yoke" of "compulsion".

[Dr. Dobson]

More: Amos 5: The yoke of compulsion

More: Matthew 11:28-30 Restful and useful yoke that is not easy

Jesus uses the example of honoring father and mother. The Greek word for "honor" is that of placing "value". The Greek word translated "curseth" is that of, literally, "bad words".

• "κακός" ≈ "bad".
• "λόγος" ≈ "reasoning, word".

There are other Greek words for what in English is called a "curse".

☐ Have you ever heard people "curse" their father or mother?
☐ Have you ever heard people "bad mouth" their father or mother?

The Greek for "die" is that of "end in". Whose "death" it is must be inferred?

When you "dishonor" your mother or father, and your children can hear or observe, you are teaching your children that they can "dishonor" you (regardless of age).

More: Exodus 20:1-26 The Ten Commandments

That is, by declaring something a "gift" to God (a man-made rule), as if God needs that "gift", one can side-step rules that come from God. By using a man-made tradition to side-step or get around God's rules, they have, in effect, made God's law of no effect.

In Mark, the name for this policy, to be clarified by Jesus, is provided as "corban". Mark is Peter's Gospel as told to Mark.

Why might Jesus have not wanted to use the Aramaic name "corban" for this "tradition"?

More: Good gifts and bad gifts

More: Matthew 5:23-24 Alterated gifts

The TR (Textus Receptus) adds words and phrases and changes the Greek word for "reasoning" to that of "commandment". The word translated as "make void" or "none effect" is used once in this form in the GNT (Greek New Testament). It appears to be a play on words.


The play on words would indicate the word "the" as grammatically feminine. This might suggest the woman mixing in the leaven or false doctrine in the fourth kingdom parable where a similar play on words was such that "measures three" had several play on word meanings including "Satan three".

More: Matthew 13:33 Fourth kingdom parable: measures three

Jesus says that they "teach" the "doctrines" or "teachings" of "men" which is of "no effect" or "vain" in worshiping God.

The ancient Greek word "διδάσκαλος" ≈ "teacher, master" and comes from the ancient Greek word "διδάσκω" ≈ "teach, instruct, train". The English of the KJV (King James Version) often uses a different English word when the Greek uses the same word.

• English: ... they teach the doctrine ...
• Greek: ... the teach the teaching ...

This is the case of the German words "lernen" ≈ "learn" and "lehren" ≈ "teach". The Old English word "lehrete" ≈ "teach". Germanic influence on English and Pennsylvania Dutch (German):

From the German: The teacher did not learn me to learn.

More: Teaching and learning and mathematics

Jesus will now explain to the "crowd" which is often referred to as the "fish" or "feet". Thus, one is a "fisher" of "men".

The ancient Greek word "ὄχλος" ≈ "multitude, crown" and may, thorough the Greek digamma (i.e.., two gammas with an "F" or "V" sound), be related to the German word "Volk" ≈ "people" as in "Volkswagen" and to the English word "folk".

More: Matthew 5:13-16 Animal crackers

More: Greek digamma

The Greek word for "hear" assumes "understanding". Otherwise, one must indicate so.

The Greek word translated as "understand" is that of literally "together understand". Jesus does not use this word in a good way.

Thus, Jesus is saying "listen" with implied "understand" and "together understand", not in a good sense. Those listening might have been puzzled if they assumed the normal meaning of the spoken words. The Pharisees appeared to have felt "entrapped".

More: A wise opportunity to be prudent

More: A prudent approach to a wise understanding

More: A wise fool should not be prudish about being prudent

The KJV meaning of "defile" appears to come from the Latin word "coinquino" ≈ "defile, pollute, contaminate" and not from the ancient Greek word "κοινόω" ≈ "make common, share". In the Cambridge Greek Lexicon (two large volumes), the meaning of "make unholy" or "defile" is definition 19 of 19 definitions. The other definitions fit closely the idea of "make common".

• "κοινός" ≈ "common".
• "κοινωνία" ≈ "community, fellowship".

The Greek word translated as "defile" is that of "making common" and is the word used as "Koine" as "Koine" "Greek" or "Common" "Greek" as spoken by the people and not by learned poets. "Vulgar" Latin is "Common" Latin as spoken by the people. To "make common" or "take for granted" something that is "sacred" can be taken as "defiled".

Distinction:

• To "make common" what is "already common" is not a "defilement".
• To "make common" what is to be "holy" is a "defilement".

The KJV makes assumptions that can be inferred but appear to not be explicitly stated in the text. What comes out of the "mouth" can "defile" a man but only if it "makes common" what is to be "holy".

Discuss: Does "dressing down" such as wearing tattered "blue jeans" to church (i.e., looking like a bum) in any way "make common" or "defile" the person dressing as such? Explain.

The ancient Greek word "κοινωνία" ≈ "community, fellowship".

The exact Greek word used here is only used in Matthew in these verses (three times) and in the corresponding verses in Mark (two verses). This word can be a play on words with the following.

• "new"
• "and mind"



More: Matthew 9:14-17 Old and new garments and bottles

The ancient Greek word "στόμα" ≈ "opening, mouth" and is the source of the English word "stomach" (that which contains food entering from the mouth). The English medical term "stoma" refers to an "opening".
The modern Greek word "στόμα" (STO-ma) ≈ "mouth, person".

Jesus will more fully explain this verse in verses 17-18.

In Revelation, a "two-mouthed" "sword" will come out of a "mouth".

Jesus will explain the ideas of this verse in a few verses.

• Incoming into the mouth: food for nourishment. Data as in an "it" or "atoms".
• Outgoing of the mouth: spoken words from the heart or mind. Information as in a "bit" as in "coded information".

Humans have the ability to generate thoughts from learning (e.g., the environment, others, etc.). This includes ways to deceive others to become "great" and "oppress" others with "toils" which is the definition of the Greek word for "evil" as used by Jesus.

More: The full assurance of information

More: Some bits about information

More: Algorithmic Information Theory

The "disciples" "came" "saying". It is assumed they were addressing to Jesus. The TR adds the extra words for what should just be inferred.

The ancient Greek word "σκάνδαλον" ≈ "trap, snare" as in entice, tempt, etc. The KJV translates as "offended" the Greek word that means to "entrap". The Pharisees felt "entrapped" (by their own reasoning) by what Jesus had said. This may have "offended" them in the modern sense of the word but the Greek word just means "entrapped".

The ancient Greek word "λόγος" ≈ "rational explanation, reasoning" and is the source of the English word "logic" The Greek translated as "saying" is that of "reasoning". Obviously Jesus "spoke" but it is the "reasoning" that is important and that sometimes goes beyond the "saying".

More: Matthew 11:6: Idiomatic misinterpretations that offend

Every "plant" not "planted" by God will be "rooted up".

• "φυτόν" ≈ "plant, tree, creature".
• "φύω" ≈ "bring forth, produce, cause to grow".

These words are part of the word "neophyte" as in "newly planted" and translated by the KJV as "novice".

Two chapters earlier Jesus related the second kingdom parable of the "wheat" and the "tares" or "weeds". The "weeds" were planted by the "birds" (of the evil one) and not by God.

More: Matthew 13:24-30,36-43 Second kingdom parable: fault-tolerant approach to the toleration paradox

More: Neophyte

The ancient Greek word "ῥίζα" ≈ "root" of a plant and, later, as a math root such as the square root of two. It is related to the Latin word "radix" ≈ "root" and the English word "root" from the Old English word "wyrt" ≈ "root".

The exact Greek word used by Jesus, once in the GNT, can be a play on words with "be separated" and, as such, can be a further play on words "barley-eyed" is in the verses before the "beam" and "twig" or "mote" verses.

• ... shall be rooted up.
• ... shall be separated. (play on words )
• ... shall be barley-eyed. (play on words)

The idea appears to be that they will not be "rooted up" externally but will "separate" themselves from the love of Christ.

More: Radical square and other roots

More: Matthew 13:3-23 First kingdom parable: sower

• "βοήθεια" ≈ "aid, help".
• "βοή" ≈ "shout, cry" which is onomatopoeic.

The word used by Jesus three times in Matthew, never in a positive sense, and can be a play on words with "the but earth". The other two times, by Luke and Paul, do not fit that play on words.

Where does Jesus say you should be a "leader"? Jesus says you should "follow" "behind" him. The Greek word for "follow" is, literally, "not leading" or "not commanding".

More: Matthew 10:38-42 Commanded to follow in the cross walk

More: Non sequitur: to follow or not follow Jesus

More on the "blind men and the elephant" is part of Belief issues and reader response.

This word is used only one time in the GNT. The TR adds this word in the second kingdom parable of the wheat and the tares.

• "φράζω" ≈ "make known, explain, declare".
• "φράσις" ≈ "manner of expression" and is the source of the English word "phrase" which comes through the Latin word "phrasis" ≈ "diction".



More: Matthew 13:24-30,36-43 Second kingdom parable: fault-tolerant approach to the toleration paradox

What did Jesus say that would be considered a "parable"?

☐ What "defiles" a man is not what "goes in" (as food) but what "comes out" from the "heart" [mind] (as sayings).
☐ Every "plant" not "planted" by God will be "rooted up" [separated].
☐ If the "blind" "lead" the "blind" both will "fall" into a "ditch" [abyss].

In general, the word "parable" and "proverb" are interchangeable. In many cases, they contain code words where nouns are substituted with other nouns to get the intended meaning.

In the explanation provided by Jesus, as recorded by Matthew, all three parts of the "parable" should be answered in some satisfactory way.

More: Parables and secret codes used and explained by Jesus

This word is used one time in the GNT.

The ancient Greek word "ἀκμή" ≈ "edge or point, peak condition" as in the first part of the word "acropolis". The last of twelve meanings in the Cambridge Greek Lexicon is that of "still" which is the meaning in the GNT.

A related word and a play on word is that of the ancient Greek word "ἀκμής" ≈ "not weary, fresh, tireless". One can see how this meaning could come from the previous word. Do you get the "point"?

When drawing triangles, there are three points to keep in mind.

More: Matthew 6:5 Prayer acting in a corner

Does Jesus sound condescending what talking to Peter? Is Peter stupid? One might think so from the translations, here and in other places.

Does Jesus think that what he said should be clear. Instead of repeating what he said slower and louder, Jesus says the same thing using different words.

A common cartoon theme in Dilbert is that of the manager not being understood by employees. A typical managerial way to address the problem is to repeat what was said, only louder and more slowly. As if that is the source of the problem.
Is the KJV translation accurate?

NIV (New International Version): “Are you still so dull?” Jesus asked them.

NLT (New Living Translation): “Don’t you understand yet?” Jesus asked.

Berean Literal Bible: And He said, "Are you also still without understanding?"

Good News Translation: Jesus said to them, "You are still no more intelligent than the others".

The Latin word "adhuc" ≈ "so far, thus far, still, yet".

The prefix alpha or "α" negates what follows.

The Greek word translated as "without understanding" can be a play on words with, literally, "not" and "together" and "mind". A modern term from psychology would be "group think" where a group may get out of touch with reality and make strange decisions and take strange actions, etc.

More: Groupthink

Jesus uses the Greek word twice in Matthew. It is often translated as "understanding" or, sometimes (inaccurately) as "prudent", to mean that of "elitism" or "snobbery" as in those of the religious elite (e.g., "birds", "pigs", etc.) who desire to be "greater" than the common person.

Since having an "elite" or "snobbish" "understanding" is not good, it is good for Peter to be without an "elite" or "snobbish" "understanding".

More: A prudent approach to a wise understanding

English has ways to unambiguously express a question. In many languages, including Greek, a statement and a question are written in exactly the same way. To make a statement a question, one raises the voice at the end of the statement. These non-written hints are not in the Greek text.

• Question: Are you yet without understanding? This is condescending as if Peter asked a stupid question.
• Statement: You are sharp and fresh and without an elite snobbish understanding. It is good to not have this kind of understanding. Then, like the "babes" from Matthew 11:25, Jesus will "reveal" the "parable" to the "babes". This explains the part of those "planted" by God.

Jesus does not use the Greek word for "understanding" in a good sense. Thus, what Jesus says appears to be in a good sense. The only place Jesus uses this word in a somewhat good sense is in the first kingdom parable in Matthew 13 about the sewer and seed. In that case, Jesus is using joke-license to make a play on words.

This first statement of Jesus may seem out of place, but provides the first half of the explanation of the "plant" "planted" by God. The second half is from the list of sins in later verses. Jesus would normally use the Greek word "again" to indicate that he was summarizing and extended discourse of many verses. Here, that would not fit very well and it is clear he is "phrasing" out the parable.

More: Matthew 13:24-30,36-43 Second kingdom parable: fault-tolerant approach to the toleration paradox

More: A prudent approach to a wise understanding

The verses in Mark (from Peter's memory) essentially mirror what is in Matthew but with changes that break the model as presented by Jesus and recorded by Matthew.


The words translated as "understanding" and "perceive" are the same word in Greek (the first one negated within the word).

• The first "understanding" is not in a good sense.
• The second "perceive" is used by Jesus in a good sense.

In Mark, Peter's Gospel, the words "evil" and "thoughts" are combined. The translates of the KJV then appear to have combined them in Matthew. There are twelve sins listed. This appears to break a model that fits the eight sins listed. (see below)

The Greek translated as "and they" is that of "and these". The Greek word can be a play on words with "bad-is". As with many play on words, carry the two thoughts together.

• "κἀκεῖνος" ≈ "and you, and him".
• "κακός" ≈ "bad, worthless, low born" (play on words).
• "κοινοί" ≈ "common" (next word)

The two Greek words for "and these" and "make common" both start with "κ" (kappa) and sound somewhat similar.

Jesus will now provide a more detailed explanation in the form of a list that has an interesting pattern.

Since Jesus only explained the first part, this part should answer the following.

☐ Every "plant" not "planted" by God will be "rooted up".
☐ If the "blind" "lead" the "blind" both will "fall" into a "ditch".

The ancient Greek word "καρδία" ≈ "heart" as a source of emotion, but could mean "mind", "stomach", "inner part". It is related to the Latin word "cor" ≈ "heart".

More: Matthew 6:19-21: A treasury of treasures of which to treasure

More: Matthew 13:44 Fifth kingdom parable: treasure in a field

More: Matthew 13:51-53 Eighth kingdom parable: treasure of new and old codes

1. "through reasoning" or "balancing of accounts"
2. "evil" as "oppression by toils"
3. "murders"
4. "adulteries"
4. "fornications"
3. "(deceptive) thefts"
2. "(deceptive) false witness"
1. "(deceptive) blasphemies"

Here as a chiasm using (related) meaning rather than words. With an even number of meanings, there is no middle meaning. Let us look at each pair working from pairs 1 to 4.

The Greek word "blasphemy" means, literally, to "speak evil" or "speak bad".

The ancient Greek word "βλασφημία" ≈ "word of evil omen, defamation, speech against God" and comes from the words for "bad" or "harmful" and "speak" or "fame" (as in traveling news).

This word for "blasphemy" can be a play on words with "plant" or "vegetation". The "weeds" or "tares" are "planted" by the "evil one" or, from the previous parable, the "birds".

Here is a verse from the second kingdom parable of the wheat and the weeds or tares.

• "βλαστός" ≈ "sprout, shoot, bud, offspring".
• "βλασφημία" ≈ "word of evil omen, defamation, speech against God"

This word for "blasphemy" can be a play on words with "plant" or "vegetation". The "weeds" or "tares" are "planted" by the "evil one" or, from the previous parable, the "birds".

A false teacher can speak "blasphemies" in a very eloquent, convincing and deceptive way. Think of Satan with Eve, the examination of Jesus by the devil, etc.

Jesus uses the "birds" as a model of false leaders. They may speak "blasphemies" but the look so pretty and sound so nice, and so on. This is one way to take the Lord's name in "vain".

Discuss: How do you detect when someone is speaking "blasphemy" against Jesus? The only people who get upset when hearing "blasphemy" are those who understand what is being said.

More: Speaking evil in a famous way

The ancient Greek word "διαλογισμός" ≈ "balancing of accounts" and means, literally, "through reasoning". This is more than just random "thoughts". This is a "logical reasoning of thoughts", and perhaps not in a good sense. The modern Greek word "διαλογισμός" (thee-a-lo-y-SMOS) ≈ "meditation, rumination".

Interestingly, this word comes from "διαλογή" ≈ "sorting out" as in "votes" or "emotional state".

Interestingly, this word comes from "διαλογή" ≈ "sorting out" as in "votes" or "emotional state".

• Do we get to "vote" on which parts of the Bible we will accept?
• Do we get to "vote" on which parts of what Jesus says we will accept?

Do we all need to be in the same "boat"? Do we all need to be in the same "vote"?

More: Matthew 14:21-36 The all in one boat fallacy and deception

The KJV combines "thoughts" or "dialog" as "through reasoning" and "evil" or "oppression" into one phrase which breaks the pattern to be covered. Was this done to obtain seven (7) sins?

The pattern, using the meaning of the Greek words, appears to create what is called a chiasm, usually of words, but here of (related) meaning.

This idea is part of a deception called a "false dilemma" whereby one creates two artificial choices to make someone thing that one must choose between the two choices provided. Creating "idols" is one way to create additional choices.

Jesus is careful to conceal or hide the actual meaning as the religious establishment, now and since then, would not be happy if they knew that what he said here applies to them.

More: False dilemma