Matthew 15:20

20 These contaminate a person in God's sight. But eating without washing hands doesn't contaminate in God's sight."

Matthew 15:20 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 15:20

These are the things which defile a man
These are filthy in themselves, and must pollute all in whom they are; they bring a defilement on the whole man, both body and soul, fasten guilt upon him, and expose him to everlasting punishment:

but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man:
should a man neglect to wash his bands before eating a common meal, this need give him no uneasiness; he contracts no filth to his soul hereby, nor any guilt to his conscience; nor does he break any law of God; nor is he liable to any penalty for such an omission. This is a trifling matter, and merits no regard; but the things before mentioned are in their nature evil: they are contrary to the law of God; they are abominable in his sight; they render men loathsome and odious to the divine being; and expose them to shame and ruin; and it is only the blood of Christ can cleanse them from the pollution and guilt of them, and secure them from that punishment they deserve.

Matthew 15:20 In-Context

18 But what goes out of the mouth comes from the heart. And that's what contaminates a person in God's sight.

19 Out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adultery, sexual sins, thefts, false testimonies, and insults.

20 These contaminate a person in God's sight. But eating without washing hands doesn't contaminate in God's sight."

21 From there, Jesus went to the regions of Tyre and Sidon.

22 A Canaanite woman from those territories came out and shouted, "Show me mercy, Son of David. My daughter is suffering terribly from demon possession."