Matthew 15:18

18 But those things that come forth from the mouth, go out from the heart [go out of the heart], and those things defoul the man.

Matthew 15:18 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 15:18

But those things which proceed out of the mouth
Meaning not material things, as spittle, vomit but, as it follows, which

come forth from the heart:
are first conceived and formed there, and then come forth from thence, and are expressed by the mouth; as all idle words, foolish talking, filthy jesting, unsavoury communication, and every word that is rotten and corrupt, or which is done in the life and conversation;

and they defile the man:
the heart is the corrupt fountain from whence all moral defilement flows; and sinful words and actions are the impure streams, which spring from thence, and increase the moral pollution of human nature.

Matthew 15:18 In-Context

16 And he said, Yet be ye also without understanding/Yet ye be without understanding? [And he said, Yet also ye be without understanding?]

17 Understand ye not, that all thing that entereth into the mouth, goeth into the womb, and is sent out into the going away?

18 But those things that come forth from the mouth, go out from the heart [go out of the heart], and those things defoul the man.

19 For of the heart go out evil thoughts [For out of the heart cometh evil thoughts], manslayings, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witnessings, blasphemies.

20 These things it be that defoul a man; but to eat with hands not washed [soothly for to eat with hands unwashen], defouleth not a man.