Matthew Chapter 15 Questions
1. Who came to Jesus from Jerusalem and questioned him about his disciples breaking the tradition of the elders?
- a. Sadducees
- b. Pharisees and scribes
- c. Herodians
- d. Zealots
Answer: b. Pharisees and scribes (Matthew 15:1)
1a Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said
2. What did the Pharisees accuse Jesus' disciples of not doing according to the tradition of the elders?
- a. Washing their hands before meals
- b. Offering sacrifices
- c. Observing the Sabbath
- d. Fasting regularly
Answer: a. Washing their hands before meals (Matthew 15:2)
2b “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders?* They do not wash [their] hands when they eat a meal.”
3. In response to the Pharisees' accusation, what commandment did Jesus say they were breaking for the sake of their tradition?
- a. Honor the Sabbath day
- b. Honor your father and your mother
- c. Do not covet
- d. Do not steal
Answer: b. Honor your father and your mother (Matthew 15:4)
4c For God said, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and ‘Whoever curses father or mother shall die.’
4. According to Jesus, what had the Pharisees nullified for the sake of their tradition?
- a. The commandment of God
- b. The traditions of the elders
- c. The teachings of the prophets
- d. The laws of Moses
Answer: a. The commandment of God (Matthew 15:6)
6need not honor his father.’ You have nullified the word of God for the sake of your tradition.
5. Whose prophesy did Jesus quote when he spoke of a people honoring God with their lips but having hearts far from Him?
- a. Isaiah
- b. Jeremiah
- c. Ezekiel
- d. Daniel
Answer: a. Isaiah (Matthew 15:7)
1a Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said,
7Hypocrites, well did Isaiah prophesy about you when he said:
8d ‘This people honors me with their lips,*
but their hearts are far from me;
9e in vain do they worship me,
teaching as doctrines human precepts.’”
6. What did Jesus say defiles a person, emphasizing that it is not what enters one’s mouth but what comes out of the mouth?
- a. Eating with unwashed hands
- b. Evil thoughts, murder, adultery, unchastity, theft, false witness, blasphemy
- c. Violating the Sabbath
- d. Ignoring traditions
Answer: b. Evil thoughts, murder, adultery, unchastity, theft, false witness, blasphemy (Matthew 15:19)
19* For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, unchastity, theft, false witness, blasphemy.
7. When the disciples asked Jesus about the Pharisees taking offense, what did Jesus say about those not planted by his heavenly Father?
- a. They will be honored
- b. They will be uprooted
- c. They will prosper
- d. They will be praised
Answer: b. They will be uprooted (Matthew 15:13)
13He said in reply,* “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted.
8. In response to Peter's request to explain the parable, what did Jesus say about blind guides leading the blind?
- a. They will find the way
- b. Both will fall into a pit
- c. They will be blessed
- d. They will be exalted
Answer: b. Both will fall into a pit (Matthew 15:14)
14g Let them alone; they are blind guides [of the blind]. If a blind person leads a blind person, both will fall into a pit.”
9. When Jesus spoke about what defiles a person, what did he emphasize comes from the heart and defiles?
- a. Words that are spoken
- b. Actions that are seen
- c. Thoughts and intentions
- d. Rituals and traditions
Answer: c. Thoughts and intentions (Matthew 15:18)
18h But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile.
10. After Jesus summoned the crowd, what did he declare about what defiles a person, contrasting it with what doesn't defile?
- a. Eating with unwashed hands defiles a person
- b. Evil thoughts and actions defile a person
- c. Observing the Sabbath defiles a person
- d. Following the traditions of the elders defiles a person
Answer: b. Evil thoughts and actions defile a person (Matthew 15:19-20)
19* For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, unchastity, theft, false witness, blasphemy.
20These are what defile a person, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile.”
11. When Peter asked Jesus to explain the parable, what did Jesus say about understanding?
- a. "Understanding is easy for you."
- b. "You have great understanding."
- c. "Are even you still without understanding?"
- d. "You already understand the meaning."
Answer: c. "Are even you still without understanding?" (Matthew 15:16)
16He said to them, “Are even you still without understanding?
12. According to Jesus, what did the Pharisees do that made them blind guides?
- a. They followed the commandments diligently.
- b. They emphasized love and compassion.
- c. They nullified the word of God for the sake of their tradition.
- d. They ignored traditions and focused on the heart.
Answer: c. They nullified the word of God for the sake of their tradition. (Matthew 15:6)
6need not honor his father.’ You have nullified the word of God for the sake of your tradition.
13. When Jesus spoke about what comes out of the mouth, what did he say comes from the heart and defiles a person?
- a. Good deeds and acts of kindness
- b. Evil thoughts, murder, adultery, unchastity, theft, false witness, blasphemy
- c. Observing religious rituals
- d. Fasting and praying
Answer: b. Evil thoughts, murder, adultery, unchastity, theft, false witness, blasphemy (Matthew 15:19)
19* For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, unchastity, theft, false witness, blasphemy.
14. In response to the Pharisees' question about why his disciples break the tradition of the elders, what did Jesus accuse them of being?
- a. Faithful followers
- b. Hypocrites
- c. Pharisees
- d. Zealous believers
Answer: b. Hypocrites (Matthew 15:7)
7Hypocrites, well did Isaiah prophesy about you when he said:
15. When the Canaanite woman approached Jesus, what did she call out to him?
- a. "Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David!"
- b. "You are the Messiah!"
- c. "Heal my daughter, O Holy One!"
- d. "Blessed are you, teacher of Israel!"
Answer: a. "Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David!" (Matthew 15:22)
22And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon.”
16. How did Jesus respond when the Canaanite woman sought his help for her demon-tormented daughter?
- a. He immediately healed her daughter.
- b. He said, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."
- c. He rebuked the woman for her lack of faith.
- d. He ignored her and walked away.
Answer: b. He said, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." (Matthew 15:24)
24* He said in reply, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
17. When the disciples urged Jesus to send the Canaanite woman away, what was their reason?
- a. They were annoyed by her persistent calling.
- b. They believed Jesus should only help the people of Israel.
- c. They thought she was possessed by a demon.
- d. They wanted to test Jesus' compassion.
Answer: b. They believed Jesus should only help the people of Israel. (Matthew 15:23)
23But he did not say a word in answer to her. His disciples came and asked him, “Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us.”
18. What did the Canaanite woman say in response to Jesus' statement about not throwing food to the dogs?
- a. "I don't care about the food; just heal my daughter."
- b. "Even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters."
- c. "I understand, Lord; I'll find help elsewhere."
- d. "I am willing to be considered a dog if it means my daughter's healing."
Answer: b. "Even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters." (Matthew 15:27)
27She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.”
19. How did Jesus conclude the interaction with the Canaanite woman, recognizing her great faith?
- a. He said, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."
- b. He told her, "Your request is granted; your daughter is healed."
- c. He exclaimed, "O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish."
- d. He asked her to prove her faith through a miraculous sign.
Answer: c. He exclaimed, "O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." (Matthew 15:28)
28k Then Jesus said to her in reply, “O woman, great is your faith!* Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed from that hour.
20. Who came to Jesus by the Sea of Galilee, bringing with them the lame, the blind, the deformed, the mute, and many others?
- a. Scribes and Pharisees
- b. Great crowds
- c. Jesus' disciples
- d. Tax collectors and sinners
- Answer: b. Great crowds (Matthew 15:30)
30l Great crowds came to him, having with them the lame, the blind, the deformed, the mute, and many others. They placed them at his feet, and he cured them.
21. What types of people did the crowds bring to Jesus for healing by the Sea of Galilee?
- a. Healthy individuals
- b. The wealthy
- c. The lame, the blind, the deformed, the mute, and many others
- d. Children and infants
- Answer: c. The lame, the blind, the deformed, the mute, and many others (Matthew 15:30)
30l Great crowds came to him, having with them the lame, the blind, the deformed, the mute, and many others. They placed them at his feet, and he cured them.
22. Where did Jesus go before the great crowds came to him for healing?
- a. Temple
- b. Marketplace
- c. Mountain
- d. Synagogue
- Answer: c. Mountain (Matthew 15:29)
29Moving on from there Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee, went up on the mountain, and sat down there.
23. What did the crowds do when they saw the miracles performed by Jesus, such as the mute speaking, the deformed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind able to see?
- a. They criticized Jesus
- b. They were indifferent
- c. They were amazed and glorified the God of Israel
- d. They asked for more miracles
- Answer: c. They were amazed and glorified the God of Israel (Matthew 15:31)
31The crowds were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the deformed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind able to see, and they glorified the God of Israel.
24. In which specific region did Jesus walk by the Sea of Galilee and perform the healing miracles?
- a. Judea
- b. Samaria
- c. Galilee
- d. Bethlehem
- Answer: c. Galilee (Matthew 15:29)
29Moving on from there Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee, went up on the mountain, and sat down there.
25. Who said to Jesus, "Where could we ever get enough bread in this deserted place to satisfy such a crowd?"
- a. Jesus to disciples
- b. Disciples to Jesus
- c. Crowd to Jesus
- d. Pharisees to Jesus
Answer: b. Disciples to Jesus (Matthew 15:33)
33The disciples said to him, “Where could we ever get enough bread in this deserted place to satisfy such a crowd?”
26. How many loaves did the disciples have when Jesus asked them, "How many loaves do you have?"
- a. Five
- b. Six
- c. Seven
- d. Eight
Answer: c. Seven (Matthew 15:34)
34Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” “Seven,” they replied, “and a few fish.”
27. What did Jesus do with the seven loaves and a few fish before distributing them to the crowd?
- a. He planted them in the ground
- b. He blessed and broke them
- c. He offered them as a sacrifice
- d. He distributed them as they were
Answer: b. He blessed and broke them (Matthew 15:36)
36Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, gave thanks,* broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds.
28. How many baskets full of fragments were left over after the crowd had eaten?
- a. Three
- b. Five
- c. Seven
- d. Ten
Answer: c. Seven baskets full (Matthew 15:37)
37n They all ate and were satisfied. They picked up the fragments left over—seven baskets full.
29. After the feeding of the four thousand, where did Jesus go when he had dismissed the crowds?
- a. Bethlehem
- b. Jerusalem
- c. Nazareth
- d. The district of Magadan
Answer: d. The district of Magadan (Matthew 15:39)
39And when he had dismissed the crowds, he got into the boat and came to the district of Magadan.
30. When Jesus expressed pity for the crowd because they had been with him for three days and had nothing to eat, what emotion did he say his heart was moved with?
- a. Joy
- b. Pity
- c. Anger
- d. Fear
Answer: b. Pity (Matthew 15:32)
32m Jesus summoned his disciples and said, “My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, for they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, for fear they may collapse on the way.”
31. What did the disciples fear might happen if they sent the hungry crowd away?
- a. They might get lost
- b. They might collapse on the way
- c. They might become angry
- d. They might not return
Answer: b. They might collapse on the way (Matthew 15:32)
32m Jesus summoned his disciples and said, “My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, for they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, for fear they may collapse on the way.”
32. How many days had the crowd been with Jesus when he expressed pity for them?
- a. One day
- b. Two days
- c. Three days
- d. Four days
Answer: c. Three days (Matthew 15:32)
32m Jesus summoned his disciples and said, “My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, for they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, for fear they may collapse on the way.”
33. Who ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground before the distribution of the loaves and fish?
- a. Jesus
- b. The disciples
- c. The Pharisees
- d. The crowd itself
Answer: a. Jesus (Matthew 15:35)
35He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground.
34. Excluding women and children, how many men were fed during the feeding of the four thousand?
- a. Three thousand
- b. Four thousand
- c. Five thousand
- d. Six thousand
Answer: b. Four thousand (Matthew 15:38)
38Those who ate were four thousand men, not counting women and children.