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Quizzes > Society & Culture

Matthew 15 quiz: 15 questions with answers

Quick, free test of your Bible knowledge with Matthew 15 questions and answers. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Saurav NagarUpdated Aug 23, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art quiz with Bible scroll, question marks, crosses referencing Jesus Matthew 15 challenge on dark blue background

This Matthew 15 quiz helps you review Jesus' words and actions in the chapter through 15 short questions. When you finish, try our Matthew chapters 15-28 quiz to go deeper, the gospel of Mark quiz for a change of pace, or a focused John 3 Bible quiz.

Into which region did Jesus withdraw when the Pharisees challenged Him about ceremonial hand washing?
Tyre and Sidon
Judea
Galilee
Samaria
After the Pharisees and scribes criticized His disciples for eating without ceremonial washing, Jesus withdrew into the region of Tyre and Sidon. This demonstrates His movement away from ritual debates toward ministry among Gentiles. The account is found in Matthew 15:21. .
What accusation did Jesus level against the Pharisees in Matthew 15?
They neglected weightier matters of justice
They fasted twice a week
They tithed mint, dill, and cumin
They honored God with their lips but hearts were far away
Jesus quoted Isaiah, accusing the Pharisees of honoring God with their lips while their hearts were distant from Him, highlighting their hypocrisy. It underscores the importance of inward devotion over outward ritual. See Matthew 15:8 - 9. .
According to Jesus in Matthew 15:3, what do the Pharisees break by holding to their traditions?
The Law of Moses
The commandment of God
Tradition of the elders
The Sabbath
Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for setting aside God's commandment to uphold their man-made traditions. He demonstrated that divine law takes precedence over human customs. This teaching is recorded in Matthew 15:3. .
In Jesus' teaching, what truly defiles a person?
Breaking traditional rituals
What comes out of the mouth
Touching unclean animals
Eating without washing hands
Jesus explained that moral defilement comes from within, specifically from the words and thoughts that flow from the heart. This contrasts with the Jewish focus on external purity regulations. See Matthew 15:11. .
How many men did Jesus feed in the third miracle described in Matthew 15?
Two thousand
Ten thousand
Four thousand
Five thousand
Unlike the five thousand in earlier accounts, Matthew 15 describes Jesus feeding four thousand men, besides women and children, with seven loaves and a few fish. This highlights a separate sign demonstrating His provision. See Matthew 15:32 - 38. .
Who approached Jesus asking Him to heal her demon-possessed daughter in Matthew 15?
A Syrophoenician man
A Canaanite woman
A Samaritan leper
A Roman centurion's wife
A Canaanite woman came to Jesus pleading for her daughter's healing, showing great faith despite being a Gentile. Jesus tested her faith but ultimately praised it and granted her request. See Matthew 15:22 - 28. .
How many baskets of leftover fragments were gathered after feeding the four thousand?
Five baskets
Ten baskets
Seven baskets
Twelve baskets
After feeding the crowd of four thousand, the disciples collected seven baskets of leftover bread and fish, symbolizing abundance in Jesus' provision. This detail contrasts with the twelve baskets after feeding five thousand. See Matthew 15:37. .
What did Jesus say comes out of the heart that defiles a person?
Words and actions
Ritual impurities
Evil thoughts, murders, adulteries
Ceremonial sins
Jesus listed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, and other sins as originating from the heart, emphasizing internal moral defilement. His teaching shifts focus to the source of sin rather than external observances. See Matthew 15:19. .
In Matthew 15:7, Jesus refers to the Pharisees as which Old Testament term describing insincere worshipers?
Teachers of the law
Elders
Scribes
Hypocrites
Jesus called the Pharisees 'hypocrites,' a term used for actors in Greek drama, indicating a discrepancy between their outward show of piety and inward corruption. He quoted Isaiah to illustrate this. See Matthew 15:7. .
Which prophet's words does Jesus quote to rebuke the Pharisees in Matthew 15?
Micah
Ezekiel
Jeremiah
Isaiah
Jesus quoted Isaiah 29:13 to rebuke the Pharisees, highlighting their lip service to God while their hearts were distant. This Old Testament reference underscores continuity between Jesus' teaching and the Hebrew prophets. .
Why did Jesus rebuke the Pharisees for their traditions in Matthew 15?
They neglected tithing
They substituted God's command with human rules
They profaned the Sabbath
They ate with unclean hands
Jesus condemned the Pharisees for elevating man-made traditions above God's commands, teaching that such practices nullify divine authority. This challenge to religious authority is central to Matthew 15. .
What action did Jesus take after the dispute over tradition, before healing the Canaanite woman's daughter?
He continued teaching in the synagogue
He withdrew into the region of Tyre and Sidon
He sent the disciples away
He performed a miracle immediately
To avoid further conflict and expand His ministry, Jesus withdrew to the area of Tyre and Sidon, where He later met the Canaanite woman. This move shows His focus on mission beyond Israel. See Matthew 15:21. .
Which illustration of tradition did Jesus use to expose religious hypocrisy?
Offering first fruits
Paying temple tax
Burnt offerings
Washing cups and kettles
Jesus pointed out that the Pharisees wash cups and kettles ceremonially while neglecting justice and mercy, illustrating misplaced priorities. His critique emphasizes true purity of heart. See Matthew 15:2 - 3. .
What did Jesus emphasize with the phrase, "Hear and understand"?
The value of academic learning
The need for spiritual perception over tradition
The importance of ritual observance
The priority of tithing
By urging them to 'Hear and understand,' Jesus called for genuine comprehension and heart transformation rather than superficial legalism. He contrasts spiritual insight with empty ritual. See Matthew 15:10. .
How did the disciples initially react to the Canaanite woman's plea?
They told her Jesus would come soon
They welcomed her warmly
They asked her to wait until after the Sabbath
They said Jesus should send her away
The disciples urged Jesus to send the woman away when she persistently cried out, reflecting cultural biases. Jesus used the interaction to teach about faith beyond Israel. See Matthew 15:23. .
What does Jesus mean by "Let the dead bury their own dead" in Matthew 15?
Physical death is unimportant
Spiritual life in God takes priority over earthly duties
Families must bury relatives first
Only priests should perform burials
Jesus teaches that following Him and the kingdom of God is more urgent than conventional family duties. He uses hyperbole to stress radical discipleship. Though recorded later in Matthew 8:22, it reflects His priorities consistently. .
Which groups specifically challenged Jesus in Matthew 15 about ceremonial purity?
Essenes and Herodians
Sadducees and Zealots
Pharisees and scribes
Levites and priests
Pharisees and scribes confronted Jesus regarding His disciples' failure to observe the elders' tradition of ceremonial hand washing. This debate introduces the teaching on true defilement. See Matthew 15:1 - 2. .
How does Jesus describe food that enters the mouth in Matthew 15?
It defiles the soul
It goes into the blood
It is digested in the intestines
It must be ritually purified
Jesus states that food entering the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated, clarifying that what one eats does not defile spiritually. His teaching shifts focus from dietary laws to moral behavior. See Matthew 15:17 - 18. .
In Matthew 15:8 - 9, what behavior does Jesus condemn in addition to honoring God with lips?
Drawing near with their hands
Drawing near with their actions
Teaching human precepts as doctrines
Praying in public
Jesus condemns teaching human commandments as if they were divine, quoting Isaiah to show how traditions can override Scripture. This critique addresses the root of religious hypocrisy. .
Which aspect of purity does Jesus elevate above ceremonial traditions?
Dietary purity
Ritual purity
Temple purity
Moral purity
Jesus emphasizes moral purity - what comes from the heart - over external rituals. He redefines true cleanliness in terms of ethical integrity. See Matthew 15:18 - 19. .
How many people, excluding women and children, were fed in the feeding of the four thousand?
Three thousand
Five thousand
Six thousand
Four thousand
The text specifies four thousand men were fed, not counting women and children, distinguishing this miracle from the earlier feeding of five thousand. This detail is in Matthew 15:38. .
What lesson about faith emerges from the Canaanite woman's exchange with Jesus?
Persistent humility can obtain God's mercy
Faith is restricted to Israel
Faith must be proven by lineage
Faith requires ritual cleanliness
The Canaanite woman's persistent and humble faith, despite initial silence, leads Jesus to praise her and grant her request. This shows that faith transcends ethnic boundaries. See Matthew 15:28. .
What is the Greek term used in Matthew 15 for "tradition," especially in reference to the elders' rules?
Paradosis
Hypokrisis
Dikaioo
Logos
Matthew uses the Greek word 'paradosis' for tradition, literally meaning 'handing down,' to describe the oral rules of the elders. Jesus contrasts these with divine commandments. .
In Matthew 15:28, how does Jesus characterize the faith of the Canaanite woman?
Unworthy
Uncertain
Great
Small
Jesus praises the woman's 'great faith' after she humbly persists, showing that even Gentile faith can be exemplary. This commendation is unique to Matthew's account. .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Key Themes in Matthew 15 -

    Identify and explain the main teachings and events in Matthew 15, including Jesus' stance on tradition and purity.

  2. Recall Specific Scripture Passages -

    Memorize and recognize essential verses from Matthew 15 to support personal reflection and group discussion.

  3. Analyze Jesus' Responses -

    Examine Jesus' engagements with the Pharisees and the Canaanite woman to appreciate his approach to faith and inclusion.

  4. Apply Biblical Lessons -

    Translate insights from Matthew 15 into practical takeaways for daily life and spiritual growth.

  5. Evaluate Your Knowledge in a Quiz Format -

    Use the free Jesus quiz 15 questions and answers to test and reinforce your understanding of Matthew 15.

  6. Engage in Friendly Competition -

    Challenge yourself and others with Matthew 15 trivia to foster learning in Bible study groups or casual quiz settings.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Tradition vs. Divine Command -

    In Matthew 15:1 - 6 Jesus confronts Pharisaical hand-washing rituals by contrasting human traditions with the binding power of God's commandments, a tension scholars at Cambridge University Press note. Use the mnemonic "TOT" (Tradition or Torah) to recall this key clash between man-made rules and divine law. Reflecting on this helps you see why Jesus values inner faithfulness over empty ritual observance.

  2. What Truly Defiles -

    Verses 10 - 20 clarify that defilement springs from the heart, not from what one eats, a point emphasized in the Anchor Bible Commentary. Remember the "Heart-to-Mouth" formula: evil thoughts → words → actions = true uncleanness. This overturns common beliefs of the day and shifts focus from external purity laws to interior moral integrity.

  3. Syrophoenician Woman's Faith -

    Matthew 15:21 - 28 highlights the Canaanite woman's persistent faith, celebrated by the Society of Biblical Literature as a model of humility and grit. The "Crumbs for Faith" trick - imagining dogs under the table - helps recall her willingness to receive even a small sign of Jesus' mercy. Her story teaches that genuine faith breaks cultural barriers and invites divine blessing.

  4. Healing the Deaf and Mute -

    In verses 29 - 31 Jesus heals a deaf man with a touch and his own spittle, an action discussed in the Journal for the Study of the New Testament as symbolizing both intimacy and authority. Picture "Touch-Speak" to remember how this miracle restores both hearing and speech. This event demonstrates Jesus' power over physical ailments and his compassionate approach to restoration.

  5. Feeding the Four Thousand -

    Matthew 15:32 - 39 recounts another miraculous feeding - seven loaves and a few fish feed over four thousand people - paralleling the earlier 5,000 but with unique details explored in the New International Commentary on the New Testament. Use "7-4-Surplus" to recall seven loaves, four baskets of leftovers, and abundant provision. This miracle underscores Jesus' compassion and divine provision for physical and spiritual hunger.

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