Matthew 15:10-20 - Defilement From Within

¹⁰ And He called the multitude to Him, and said unto them, Hear and understand it: ¹¹ not that which goeth into the mouth defileth the man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this polluteth the man.

¹² Whereupon his disciples came and said to Him, Dost thou know that the pharisees, when they heard this assertion, were offended at it?

¹³ But He answered and said, Every plantation which my heavenly Father hath not planted shall be rooted up. ¹⁴ Regard them not; for they are blind guides of the blind: and if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into the ditch.

¹⁵ Then Peter answered, and said unto Him, Explain to us this parable.

¹⁶ And Jesus replied, Are ye also still void of understanding? ¹⁷ Do ye not yet know, that whatever goeth into the mouth passeth to the belly and is discharged downwards? ¹⁸ But the things, which proceed out of the mouth, come from the heart, and those defile a man. ¹⁹ For out of the heart proceed wicked disputings, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false-witnessings, slanders: ²⁰ these defile a man, but to eat without washing the hands doth not defile him.

¹⁴ And calling all the people to Him, He said unto them, ¹⁵ Hear me all of you, and understand, There is nothing without a man, which entring into him can defile him: but the things proceeding from him are those which defile a man. ¹⁶ If any one hath ears to hear, let him hear.

¹⁷ And when He was come into the house, away from the multitude, his disciples asked Him concerning the meaning of the parable. ¹⁸ And He saith unto them, Are ye so void of understanding also? Do ye not know, that whatsoever from without entreth into a man cannot defile him? ¹⁹ because it entreth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all his food. ²⁰ But said He, What cometh out of a man, that defileth the man; ²¹ for out of the heart of men proceed evil thoughts, ²² adulteries, fornications, murthers, thefts, avarice, malice, deceit, lasciviousness, envy, slander, pride, folly; ²³ all these evils come from within and defile the man.