Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Know you that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?
All Commentaries on Matthew 15:12 Go To Matthew 15
John Chrysostom
AD 407
The disciples were saying these things not only because they felt pain on behalf of the Pharisees but also because they themselves were a little confused. But since they did not dare to say this out of concern for their own confusion, they hoped to learn further by listening to Jesus’ own elaboration of this issue. To show that this is so, listen to what is said after these things by Peter, who was hotheaded and everywhere arriving before the rest. He says, “Explain this parable to us.” By this he reveals the confusion in his soul. He does not dare to say openly, “I take offense at this,” but he expects that he will be released from his confusion by the interpretation of the parable. So he too was rebuked. The Gospel of Matthew, Homily
