Matthew 15:18

18 But whatever goes out of the mouth comes from within, and that's what makes a person unclean.

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 Jesus said, "Don't you understand yet?

17 Don't you know that whatever goes into the mouth goes into the stomach and then into a toilet?

18 But whatever goes out of the mouth comes from within, and that's what makes a person unclean.

19 Evil thoughts, murder, adultery, [other] sexual sins, stealing, lying, and cursing come from within.

20 These are the things that make a person unclean. But eating without washing one's hands doesn't make a person unclean."