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Matthew 15

Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying,

Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.

But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?

For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.

But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;

And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.

Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,

This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:

Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.

Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?

But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.

Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable.

And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding?

Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?

But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.

For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.

Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.

And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.

But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.

But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.

But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.

And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.

Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

And Jesus departed from thence, and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there.

And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus' feet; and he healed them:

Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.

Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.

And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude?

And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes.

And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground.

And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.

And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full.

And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children.

And he sent away the multitude, and took ship, and came into the coasts of Magdala,

What does Matthew 15:18 mean?

Explanation

The verse Matthew 15:18, "But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man," speaks to the belief in Christianity that spoken words are a reflection of one's inner thoughts and moral state.

This statement by Jesus emphasizes that it is not external factors that corrupt a person, but rather the intentions and thoughts that originate within the heart and are expressed through words.

According to this perspective, the heart is the source of moral purity or impurity, and the words spoken can reveal the true nature of a person’s character.

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Historical Context

This verse is part of a broader discussion between Jesus and the Pharisees, the Jewish religious leaders of the time, about the nature of purity and defilement.

The Jewish Law had strict dietary restrictions and rituals for maintaining purity.

Jesus challenges these notions by suggesting that adherence to ritual propriety does not necessarily equate to spiritual cleanliness.

The verse is set in a time when there was a strong emphasis on outward religious observance, and Jesus’ teaching redirects the focus to the importance of inner purity and intent.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, this verse touches on several key concepts. One is the notion of 'heart' as the center of a person's spiritual and moral life. Another is the significance of 'words' as a mirror of one's soul.

The verse suggests a theology where internal virtue is paramount, and rituals or external observances are secondary to the morality that emerges from within a person.

Different theological viewpoints can interpret this verse, with some focusing on the depravity of humanity and the need for divine grace to cleanse the heart, while others see it as a call to reflective self-improvement and ethical living.

Practical Applications

Practically, this teaching encourages individuals to be mindful of their words, as they are indicative of their heart's condition.

It is a reminder to cultivate positive thoughts and intentions in order to speak words that are uplifting, truthful, and kind.

By applying this teaching, one can strive to avoid hypocrisy, ensuring that their outer expressions match their inner convictions, thereby fostering integrity in their personal and social interactions.

Cross-References

Matthew 12:34 - "O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh."
Luke 6:45 - "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh."
Proverbs 4:23 - "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life."
James 3:6 - "And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell."

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the word for "heart" is καρδία (kardia), which is often used metaphorically to denote the seat of physical, spiritual, and mental life.

The phrase "proceed out of" is translated from the Greek ἐκπορεύομαι (ekporeuomai), conveying the sense of emanating or issuing from a source.

Lastly, the word "defile," in Greek μολύνω (molyno), carries the connotation of staining, polluting, or corrupting.

These words anchor the verse in a conceptual framework where the heart is central to moral existence, and the spoken word acts as the evidence of the heart’s condition.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Comparatively, many ancient cultures and religions share the idea that spoken words have power and reflect one's moral or spiritual condition.

In Ancient Egypt, the concept of Ma'at emphasized truth in speech as integral to balance and order.

In Hinduism, speech is linked to the concept of Vak, which correlates to the power of true expression.

Confucianism also places great importance on the integrity of one’s words as a reflection of their character.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific standpoint, modern psychology aligns with the notion that there is a link between one's thoughts, emotions, and speech. Speech is seen as a window into the cognitive processes occurring within the brain, reflecting an individual's beliefs, attitudes, and emotional state.

However, scientific perspectives would typically refrain from assigning moral judgment to these processes, focusing instead on understanding the mechanisms of verbal expression and its relationship to mental health.

commentaries

Commentaries on Matthew 15:18 provide insights into how theologians and biblical scholars have interpreted this verse.

Many emphasize the radical nature of Jesus' teaching, contrasting it with the prevailing Jewish thought of the time.

Commentators often discuss the implications of the verse for understanding sin and righteousness, with many pointing out how this teaching calls for inner transformation.

Some focus on the connection between the heart and speech, drawing practical lessons for ethical behavior and authentic Christian living.

Others may address the challenge this verse presents to legalistic religious practices, highlighting Jesus' broader message of internal purity over external compliance.

Matthew 15

Matthew 15

What does Matthew 15:18 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Matthew Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

commentaries

Want more context?

What does Matthew 15:18 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Matthew Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

commentaries

Want more context?