Matthew 15:10-20 - Defilement From Within

¹⁰ He summoned the multitude, and said to them, "Hear, and understand. ¹¹ That which enters into the mouth doesn't defile the man; but that which proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man."

¹² Then the disciples came, and said to him, "Do you know that the Pharisees were offended, when they heard this saying?"

¹³ But he answered, "Every plant which my heavenly Father didn't plant will be uprooted. ¹⁴ Leave them alone. They are blind guides of the blind. If the blind guide the blind, both will fall into a pit."

¹⁵ Peter answered him, "Explain the parable to us."

¹⁶ So Jesus said, "Do you also still not understand? ¹⁷ Don't you understand that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the belly, and then out of the body? ¹⁸ But the things which proceed out of the mouth come out of the heart, and they defile the man. ¹⁹ For out of the heart come forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual sins, thefts, false testimony, and blasphemies. ²⁰ These are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands doesn't defile the man."

¹⁴ He called all the multitude to himself, and said to them, "Hear me, all of you, and understand. ¹⁵ There is nothing from outside of the man, that going into him can defile him; but the things which proceed out of the man are those that defile the man. ¹⁶ If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!"

¹⁷ When he had entered into a house away from the multitude, his disciples asked him about the parable. ¹⁸ He said to them, "Are you thus without understanding also? Don't you perceive that whatever goes into the man from outside can't defile him, ¹⁹ because it doesn't go into his heart, but into his stomach, then into the latrine, thus purifying all foods?" ²⁰ He said, "That which proceeds out of the man, that defiles the man. ²¹ For from within, out of the hearts of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, sexual sins, murders, thefts, ²² covetings, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, and foolishness. ²³ All these evil things come from within, and defile the man."