Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 15:1

"Then there come to Jesus from Jerusalem Pharisees and scribes, saying," — Matthew 15:1 (ASV)

The Pharisees and teachers of the law mentioned here came from Jerusalem and were probably held in special esteem. But from Matthew’s perspective, they were a quasi-official deputation (cf. Jn 1:19) and a source of Jesus’ most virulent opposition.