Jesus and the Pharisees: A Conflict of Kingdoms
A Historical Novel Based on the Gospels
(Matthew 15:1–20; Mark 7:1–23)
The morning market bustled with voices calling out prices of figs, olives, and salted fish. Disciples walked beside Jesus, weaving through traders and buyers. They stopped at a vendor selling freshly baked barley loaves. Peter took a loaf, tore off pieces, and handed them to the others. Dust clung to their fingers, but they ate without hesitation, relishing the warmth and softness of the bread.
From among the crowds emerged a delegation of Pharisees and scribes from Jerusalem. Their robes were immaculate despite the market dust, their fringes swinging with each purposeful stride. Their eyes narrowed as they watched Jesus’ disciples eating without first washing their hands in the ritual manner.
They approached Jesus directly, their faces composed but their voices sharp.
“Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat.” (Matthew 15:2)
Jesus turned to them, His gaze unwavering, His tone calm but edged with righteous rebuke.
“And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?” He asked. (Matthew 15:3)
They blinked, taken aback, but He continued, His voice rising so that all nearby could hear.
“For God commanded, ‘Honour your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’ But you say, ‘If anyone tells his father or his mother, What you would have gained from me is given to God, he need not honour his father.’ So for the sake of your tradition you have made void the word of God.” (Matthew 15:4–6)
His eyes blazed with grief and anger as He declared:
“You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said:
‘This people honours me with their lips, but their heart is far from me;
in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’” (Matthew 15:7–9)
He turned from the Pharisees to the gathered crowd, lifting His voice so that mothers with baskets and men with fishing nets paused to listen.
“Hear and understand: it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth – this defiles a person.” (Matthew 15:10–11)
The Pharisees stiffened, their faces pale with fury. They turned away, whispering angrily to each other as they pushed through the crowd.
Later, as they walked away from the marketplace, Peter approached Jesus hesitantly.
“Explain the parable to us,” he asked. (Matthew 15:15)
Jesus sighed softly, a note of sorrow in His voice.
“Are you also still without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled? But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person.” (Matthew 15:16–18)
His eyes darkened with sadness as He continued:
“For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.” (Matthew 15:19–20)
As they continued on their journey, the disciples fell silent, their minds wrestling with the weight of His words. Behind them, the Pharisees plotted with renewed determination, their anger festering with each step, for they had been publicly exposed – their pride torn open by the One who saw into the deepest chambers of the heart.