Matthew 15:20

20 These are the things that defile a person. But eating with unwashed hands does not defile a person!"

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 the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these defile the person.
19 For from the heart come evil plans, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, abusive speech.
20 These are the things that defile a person. But eating with unwashed hands does not defile a person!"
21 And departing from there, Jesus went away to the region of Tyre and Sidon.
22 And behold, a Canaanite woman from that district came [and] cried out, saying, "Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter [is] severely possessed by a demon!"
Scripture quotations marked (LEB) are from the Lexham English Bible. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.