Matthew 15:11

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Summary

Matthew 15:11

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

That which goeth

But

2 Peter 2:18

General references

Matthew 15:18

Luke 12:57

Bible References

That which goeth

There is nothing external to a man, which by going into him can 'defile' him; but the things that come out from a man are the things that defile him."

The Pharisee noticed, to his astonishment, that Jesus omitted the ceremonial washing before breakfast.

"No, Lord, I cannot," answered Peter, "for I have never eaten anything 'defiled' and 'unclean'."

'No, Lord, I cannot,' I answered, 'for nothing 'defiled' or 'unclean' has ever passed my lips.'

Through my union with the Lord Jesus, I know and am persuaded that nothing is 'defiling in itself.' A thing is 'defiling' only to him who holds it to be so.

Everything created by God is good, and there in nothing that need be rejected--provided only that it is received thankfully;

Everything is pure to the pure-minded, but to those whose minds are polluted and who are unbelievers nothing is pure. Their minds and consciences are alike polluted.

Do not let yourselves be carried away by the various novel forms of teaching. It is better to rely for spiritual strength upon the divine help, than upon regulations regarding food; for those whose lives are guided by such regulations have not found them of service.

But

But the things that come out from the mouth proceed from the heart, and it is these that defile a man;

You brood of vipers! how can you, evil as you are, say anything good? For what fills the heart will rise to the lips.

'Their throats are like opened graves; they deceive with their tongues.' 'The venom of serpents lies behind their lips,'

So is it with the tongue. Small as it is, it is a great boaster. Think how tiny a spark may set the largest forest ablaze!

With boastful and foolish talk, they appeal to the passions of man's lower nature, and, by their profligacy, entice those who are just escaping from the men who live such misguided lives.

General references

But the things that come out from the mouth proceed from the heart, and it is these that defile a man;

Why do not you yourselves decide what is right?